Advertisement
  1. Florida Politics
  2. /
  3. The Buzz

Breaking down the true and false in Trump’s Orlando campaign kickoff speech

PolitiFact looks at Trump’s claims on wages, black unemployment, the wall and more
President Donald Trump speaks during his re-election kickoff rally at the Amway Center, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Donald Trump speaks during his re-election kickoff rally at the Amway Center, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
By Steve Contorno
Published Jun. 19, 2019

President Donald Trump covered little new ground in his 80-minute campaign kickoff speech Tuesday night in Orlando. That was just fine for supporters who love hearing Trump’s greatest hits and came out full force to hear the president’s spin on his 2016 campaign and his first two and a half years in office.

It also made the job easier for the fact-checkers at PolitiFact, who have heard many of these lines before.

“African-American community, how much progress has been made, the lowest unemployment numbers in the history of our country.”

"Wages are rising at the fastest rate in many decades."

(We passed) “the biggest tax cut in history.”

Are any of these statements True? Here’s what PolitiFact says.

MORE TRUMP IN FLORIDA

It’s official: Donald Trump is running for reelection, he announces in Florida

Massive ‘Baby Trump’ balloon looms over Orlando re-election rally

Inside the Democratic strategy to defeat Donald Trump in Florida

Trump needs Florida in 2020. He obviously knows that.

ALSO IN THIS SECTION

  1. Michael Bloomberg is coming to Tampa for his first Florida presidential campaign event
    Yesterday• The Buzz
    Democratic presidential candidate, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks at the ​U.S. Conference of Mayors' Winter Meeting, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) [PATRICK SEMANSKY | AP]
    It’s also the first visit by any Democratic contender this year
  2. Criminal investigation of Florida CFO given to state attorney
    Yesterday• The Buzz
    Jimmy Patronis had been appointed to the state’s Public Service Commission by Gov. Scott.
    FDLE cited a ‘potential conflict,’ Leon County State Attorney Jack Campbell said.
  3. DeSantis announces new Florida school standards without Common Core
    Yesterday• The Buzz
    Gov. Ron DeSantis. [STEVE CANNON | AP]
    Florida students will read more classical literature and learn math differently, according to summary documents.
  4. Insulin prices are skyrocketing. Why won’t the Florida House act?
    Yesterday• The Buzz
    Florida House Speaker José Oliva made hospital deregulation one of his top priorities. [SCOTT KEELER | Tampa Bay Times]
    Speaker José Oliva slammed pharmaceutical companies in his opening day speech, but a bill to place $100 caps on co-payments for insulin will not pass this year. In fact, it won’t even get a hearing.
  5. The only black nominee for Florida’s Supreme Court is technically unqualified
    Yesterday• The Buzz
    The Florida Supreme Court, Wednesday, May 1, 2019. [SCOTT KEELER | Tampa Bay Times]
    Judge Renatha Francis has not been a member of the Florida Bar for 10 years.
  6. Florida Republicans are taking up gun control. But this isn’t 2018.
    Yesterday• The Buzz
    State Rep. Adam Hattersley, D-Riverview, speaks before volunteers with the gun control advocacy group Moms Demand Action outside the Florida Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. [[LAWRENCE MOWER | Tampa Bay Times]]
    Like it has since the Parkland massacre, the gun debate is growing fierce in Tallahassee. But there are some significant changes this year.
  7. This Florida mayor has the same job as Pete Buttigieg. Could he be president?
    Yesterday• The Buzz
    West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James talks with his Director of Communications Kathleen Walter while going over the state of the city address in his office at the City of West Palm Beach municipal building in West Palm Beach, Florida on Wednesday, January 15, 2020. [OCTAVIO JONES | Times]
    West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James leads a city about the same size as Buttigieg’s South Bend. Here’s what his day looks like. Is this presidential experience?
  8. Florida Supreme Court says unanimous jury not needed for death penalty in major reversal
    Yesterday• The Buzz
    The Florida Supreme Court, Wednesday, May 1, 2019. [SCOTT KEELER | Tampa Bay Times]
    “Death is indeed different,” wrote the lone dissenting justice. “This Court has taken a giant step backward."
  9. ’Parents Bill of Rights’ wins bipartisan backing in first House stop
    Yesterday• Gradebook
    State Rep. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, presents legislation to create a new chapter of Florida law dedicated to parents' rights when dealing with government and other agencies, during a committee meeting Jan. 23, 2020. [The Florida Channel]
    Parents have been marginalized by bureaucracy, and need to be empowered in law, sponsor Rep. Erin Grall says.
  10. Florida lawmakers consider rules on naming college arenas
    Jan. 23• The Buzz
    Wichita State Shockers center Jaime Echenique (21) and USF Bulls guard David Collins (0) battle for the loose ball during the second half at the Yuengling Center in Tampa on Tuesday. [OCTAVIO JONES | Times]
    Lawmakers may require public colleges and universities to ask permission before selling naming rights.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement