Fact checking of DeSantis’ and Haley’s statements during the CNN town halls in Iowa
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley recently participated in CNN town halls in Iowa. Both are vying to become the main alternative to former President Donald Trump. During the town halls, they made several claims that are worth checking.
DeSantis touted Florida’s economic strength, stating that the state’s economy is ranked number one in the nation by CNBC and that income growth is top of the charts. While his first claim is accurate, as CNBC did declare Florida the nation’s top economy in a July article, his second claim about income growth is inaccurate. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, personal income in Florida grew by 3.5% between the second and third quarters of 2023, ranking it 21st among states.
Haley raised concerns about the nation’s mounting debt and interest payments, stating that in a couple of years, the country will be paying more money in interest payments than in defense spending. According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a government watchdog group, if current interest rates remain high, interest payments could overtake defense spending within a few years. Net interest costs soared to $659 billion in fiscal year 2023, up 39% from the previous year, and almost double what it was in fiscal year 2020.
DeSantis also criticized former President Donald Trump and Dr. Anthony Fauci for their handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, claiming that Florida led the way in dragging the country out of lockdown. However, his claim is misleading, as he had imposed significant restrictions on individuals and businesses in Florida in March and April of 2020 before gradually opening up the state.
Overall, both DeSantis and Haley made statements that require fact-checking to ensure accuracy.