A CNN fact-checker addressed Kamala Harris’s recent statements, pushing back on her claim that Project 2025, a conservative think tank’s proposal for a future Republican administration, involves cuts to Social Security. Harris made the assertion during a rally in North Carolina over the weekend, claiming that Donald Trump’s future administration would “cut Social Security and Medicare.”
CNN host Jim Acosta played a clip of Harris’s remarks during his show, in which she said, “Donald Trump will give billionaires and corporations massive tax cuts, cut Social Security and Medicare, and make it easier for companies to deny overtime pay for workers.” Acosta then turned to fact-checker Daniel Dale to evaluate the accuracy of the claim.
Dale, who has been fact-checking statements across the political spectrum, noted that Harris has been repeating this point at various events since July. However, he disputed the accuracy of her claim regarding Social Security. “Nowhere in there does it call for Social Security cuts. In fact, it barely mentions Social Security,” Dale said.
He acknowledged that Project 2025 does emphasize balancing the federal budget, but Harris’s direct assertion of Social Security cuts was not backed up by the document. “Now, it does say that the federal budget should be balanced and Harris allies might tell you, well, you can’t reasonably do that without Social Security cuts,” Dale explained. “I think that’s a pretty indirect argument though, compared to what Vice President Harris is saying.”
Dale went on to clarify that while Harris’s allies might point to Donald Trump’s previous attempts to reduce Social Security funding during his presidency, this doesn’t directly connect to the specific claim she made about Project 2025. “Sure, you can point that out. But, again, that’s not what she’s saying,” Dale remarked, further emphasizing the distinction between Harris’s claim and the proposals outlined in the Project 2025 document.
During his presidency, Donald Trump made several proposals aimed at reducing Social Security costs, including plans to halt the payroll tax that funds the program. He also suggested raising the retirement age and moving toward privatizing the program. As a 2024 candidate, Trump has hinted that he remains open to adjusting Social Security benefits, though no formal proposals have yet been put forward.
Dale’s fact-check raised questions about the accuracy of Harris’s attack on Project 2025, highlighting the complex and often nuanced debates surrounding Social Security reform in the upcoming election cycle.