Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley took center stage at CNN’s Republican presidential debate on Wednesday. The debate served as a platform for the candidates to make their final pitches to Iowa voters ahead of the state’s GOP caucuses. Notably absent was former President Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner. The debate, moderated by CNN’s Dana Bash and Jake Tapper, covered a range of issues from the economy to immigration. This article fact-checks some of the claims made by both candidates during the debate.
DeSantis on Haley’s Gas Tax Position
DeSantis targeted Haley’s economic policies, alleging that she supported measures like raising the gas tax, which he claimed hurt her constituents. He stated, “Nikki Haley promised she would never do the gas tax, then tried to raise the gas tax on hardworking South Carolinians.”
Fact Check: This claim requires context. Haley initially opposed raising the gas tax, but later stated she would support it if it was coupled with a cut to the state income tax. During the debate, Haley confirmed this, saying, “We said if you want to raise the gas tax, you have to reduce the income tax by five times that amount. They didn’t want to do it.” It should be noted that Haley’s proposal was in response to state legislator’s efforts to raise the gas tax and did not constitute support for a standalone gas tax increase. The gas tax remained the same during her tenure as governor and was later raised under her successor.
Haley on Immigration from Central America
Haley claimed that during her time at the United Nations, she stopped the flow of migration from certain parts of Central America. She said, “We had our military go and train them on how to deal with gangs. We went and put drug boats on the water to keep the drugs from coming. But we said you have to have them processed from here. You can’t have them come. We were able to stop that flow.”
Fact Check: It’s unclear what operation Haley was referring to. The United States does have a presence in Central American countries and often works in partnership with those countries to stem the flow of migration. However, migration from Honduras and Guatemala has not completely stopped.
DeSantis on Aid to Ukraine
DeSantis argued against further US funding for Ukraine, claiming that “tens of billions of dollars” have been used “to pay salaries for Ukrainian government bureaucrats,” and that US taxpayers have “paid pensions for Ukrainian retirees.”
Fact Check: This claim needs context. While the US has provided Ukraine with around $23 billion in direct budget support since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, it cannot be said that all of that funding is going to “bureaucrats” or “pensions.” The funds have been used to pay “wages for hospital workers, government employees, and teachers as well as social assistance for the elderly and vulnerable,” according to a statement from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
DeSantis on Biden Helping Evacuate Americans from Israel
DeSantis claimed that Florida rescued Americans from Israel after a Hamas attack because “Biden wasn’t helping Americans get out of the war zone.”
Fact Check: This claim is false. The Biden administration did help Americans evacuate from Israel after the attack. The US government chartered flights for Americans seeking to leave Israel, with the first flight taking place on October 13. DeSantis’s flights only began after the State Department-led evacuations had started.
Haley on DeSantis’ Energy Record
Haley and DeSantis had a back-and-forth on fracking and off-shore oil drilling during the debate. Haley claimed DeSantis “banned fracking” on his second day in office and accused him of writing a bill that would have reversed the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Fact Check: Haley is largely correct. DeSantis did sign an executive order opposing off-shore oil and gas activities and hydraulic fracturing in Florida. As a member of congress, DeSantis also co-sponsored a bill to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard.
DeSantis on Anti-Transgender Bathroom Bills
DeSantis claimed that Haley opposed a bill in South Carolina that would have banned people from using public bathrooms that didn’t correspond to the sex listed on their birth certificate.
Fact Check: DeSantis’ claim requires context. While Haley did oppose a proposed anti-transgender bathroom bill in South Carolina in 2016, DeSantis himself took a hands-off position on bathroom policy while running for governor of Florida two years later.