Latest Fact-checks in Poverty Clear Any Rating True Mostly True Half True Mostly False False Pants on Fire Full Flop Half Flip No Flip Any Speaker Any Date Range Last 3 Months Last 6 Months Last 12 Months 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Any Category National Republican Congressional Committee stated on January 25, 2012 in an advertisement: "Since President Obama took full control of Washington," every day, 13,000 more people "have been put on food stamps." Rick Santorum stated on January 16, 2012 in a debate in South Carolina: Says an Obama administration policy prohibits people who work with at-risk youth from promoting marriage as a way to avoid poverty. Rick Santorum stated on January 4, 2012 in a New Hampshire town hall with voters: As a result of welfare reform, "poverty levels went down to the lowest level ever for ... African-American children." Matt Wingard stated on January 2, 2012 in a news story online: "Oregon’s per capita income is 9 percent below the national average and getting worse. This is a state that’s actually getting poorer." Anne Nolan stated on November 27, 2011 in a news show: "We have one of the highest percentages per capita of nonprofits in this state of any state in the union." Theresa Price stated on December 10, 2011 in a speech during a rally on homelessness: "Rhode Island is leading our nation in foreclosures." Boyd Richie stated on November 15, 2011 in an email blast: Says King Street Patriots held a fundraiser featuring an author who believes that registering the poor to vote is un-American. Mitt Romney stated on December 7, 2011 in an interview on Fox News: "Speaker Gingrich has said that we ought to get rid of our child labor laws." Chris Bowers stated on November 30, 2011 in an interview: Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is making voting more difficult by closing Department of Motor Vehicles offices where "low-income voters" live. Newt Gingrich stated on November 30, 2011 in a speech in Council Bluffs, Iowa: People can use food stamps "for anything," including "to go to Hawaii," and even millionaires can qualify. Lisa Baldelli-Hunt stated on November 17, 2011 in a General Assembly debate on pension overhaul: "Eighty-five percent . . . of Rhode Island tax returns that were filed for the year 2010 . . . were from individuals who earned $30,000 or less." Republican National Committee stated on November 30, 2011 in a Web video: In Pennsylvania, President Barack Obama’s policies have increased unemployment 19 percent, led to the loss of 37,900 manufacturing jobs, and left 189,000 more people in poverty. John Stemberger stated on October 20, 2011 in a website: The largest number of gamblers are "from the poorest segments of the population." Marcia Fudge stated on November 1, 2011 in an MSNBC interview with Al Sharpton: "More than half of the people on food stamps today are children." Newt Gingrich stated on November 9, 2011 in a written opening statement for a debate: Under President Barack Obama, "more Americans are in poverty ... than at any time since the Census Bureau began keeping records on it over 50 years ago." Tim Ryan stated on September 28, 2011 in a news release: Attacks on Planned Parenthood "come at a time when the poverty rate among women is the highest in nearly two decades and 1 in 5 women under 65 don’t have access to health care." Lloyd Doggett stated on September 21, 2011 in a speech delivered to U.S. House of Representatives.: Says the main Central Texas food bank is delivering 50 percent more food to the poor than three years ago. Stephen Sweeney stated on September 15, 2011 in a message on Facebook: "New Jersey's poverty rate has increased since this governor took office and the number of New Jerseyans without health insurance has risen." Herman Cain stated on October 18, 2011 in a debate in Las Vegas: The 9-9-9 plan "does not raise taxes on those that are making the least." Occupied Wall Street Journal stated on October 5, 2011 in an article: "More than 25 million Americans are unemployed. More than 50 million live without health insurance. Perhaps 100 million live in poverty." Chain email stated on September 24, 2011 in a chain e-mail: "Florida is the first state requiring drug testing to receive welfare!" Rachel Maddow stated on September 19, 2011 in on "The Rachel Maddow Show": "Poverty among Americans 65 and over is statistically unchanged" in recent years because of Social Security. Ed Schultz stated on August 25, 2011 in MSNBC's the "Ed Show," Aug. 25, 2011: "In (Sen. Marco) Rubio's state of Florida alone, Social Security lifts more than -- count it -- a million people out of poverty." Doreen Costa stated on August 10, 2011 in a radio interview: "The studies have shown us that [drug testing for welfare recipients] will be saving us money" Ron Kind stated on June 30, 2011 in a news release: "Before Medicare, only 51 percent of Americans 65 and older had health care coverage and nearly 30 percent lived below the poverty line. Today, thanks to Medicare ... nearly all seniors have coverage and 75 percent fewer struggle in poverty." Sandra Cunningham stated on July 11, 2011 in a speech on the State Senate floor: Says a Senate resolution would restore $140 in monthly general assistance payments and prevent people from committing crime. Bill O'Reilly stated on July 26, 2011 in a comment on Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor": Since 1965, the United States has spent "untold trillions" yet the poverty rate hasn’t budged. Bernie Sanders stated on July 18, 2011 in a tweet: "Since 2000, nearly 12 million Americans have slipped out of the middle class and into poverty." Gary Sasse stated on June 26, 2011 in an interview on 10 News Conference: Rhode Island spends "52 percent more per capita on human service programs than the national average." David Cicilline stated on June 14, 2011 in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives: The WIC program "is an incredibly cost effective program, serving nearly 10 million Americans each year and costing less than $100 per person. In my district, more than 18 percent of residents suffer from food insecurity and depend on WIC to make ends meet."
Clear Any Rating True Mostly True Half True Mostly False False Pants on Fire Full Flop Half Flip No Flip Any Speaker Any Date Range Last 3 Months Last 6 Months Last 12 Months 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Any Category
National Republican Congressional Committee stated on January 25, 2012 in an advertisement: "Since President Obama took full control of Washington," every day, 13,000 more people "have been put on food stamps." Rick Santorum stated on January 16, 2012 in a debate in South Carolina: Says an Obama administration policy prohibits people who work with at-risk youth from promoting marriage as a way to avoid poverty. Rick Santorum stated on January 4, 2012 in a New Hampshire town hall with voters: As a result of welfare reform, "poverty levels went down to the lowest level ever for ... African-American children." Matt Wingard stated on January 2, 2012 in a news story online: "Oregon’s per capita income is 9 percent below the national average and getting worse. This is a state that’s actually getting poorer." Anne Nolan stated on November 27, 2011 in a news show: "We have one of the highest percentages per capita of nonprofits in this state of any state in the union." Theresa Price stated on December 10, 2011 in a speech during a rally on homelessness: "Rhode Island is leading our nation in foreclosures." Boyd Richie stated on November 15, 2011 in an email blast: Says King Street Patriots held a fundraiser featuring an author who believes that registering the poor to vote is un-American. Mitt Romney stated on December 7, 2011 in an interview on Fox News: "Speaker Gingrich has said that we ought to get rid of our child labor laws." Chris Bowers stated on November 30, 2011 in an interview: Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is making voting more difficult by closing Department of Motor Vehicles offices where "low-income voters" live. Newt Gingrich stated on November 30, 2011 in a speech in Council Bluffs, Iowa: People can use food stamps "for anything," including "to go to Hawaii," and even millionaires can qualify. Lisa Baldelli-Hunt stated on November 17, 2011 in a General Assembly debate on pension overhaul: "Eighty-five percent . . . of Rhode Island tax returns that were filed for the year 2010 . . . were from individuals who earned $30,000 or less." Republican National Committee stated on November 30, 2011 in a Web video: In Pennsylvania, President Barack Obama’s policies have increased unemployment 19 percent, led to the loss of 37,900 manufacturing jobs, and left 189,000 more people in poverty. John Stemberger stated on October 20, 2011 in a website: The largest number of gamblers are "from the poorest segments of the population." Marcia Fudge stated on November 1, 2011 in an MSNBC interview with Al Sharpton: "More than half of the people on food stamps today are children." Newt Gingrich stated on November 9, 2011 in a written opening statement for a debate: Under President Barack Obama, "more Americans are in poverty ... than at any time since the Census Bureau began keeping records on it over 50 years ago." Tim Ryan stated on September 28, 2011 in a news release: Attacks on Planned Parenthood "come at a time when the poverty rate among women is the highest in nearly two decades and 1 in 5 women under 65 don’t have access to health care." Lloyd Doggett stated on September 21, 2011 in a speech delivered to U.S. House of Representatives.: Says the main Central Texas food bank is delivering 50 percent more food to the poor than three years ago. Stephen Sweeney stated on September 15, 2011 in a message on Facebook: "New Jersey's poverty rate has increased since this governor took office and the number of New Jerseyans without health insurance has risen." Herman Cain stated on October 18, 2011 in a debate in Las Vegas: The 9-9-9 plan "does not raise taxes on those that are making the least." Occupied Wall Street Journal stated on October 5, 2011 in an article: "More than 25 million Americans are unemployed. More than 50 million live without health insurance. Perhaps 100 million live in poverty." Chain email stated on September 24, 2011 in a chain e-mail: "Florida is the first state requiring drug testing to receive welfare!" Rachel Maddow stated on September 19, 2011 in on "The Rachel Maddow Show": "Poverty among Americans 65 and over is statistically unchanged" in recent years because of Social Security. Ed Schultz stated on August 25, 2011 in MSNBC's the "Ed Show," Aug. 25, 2011: "In (Sen. Marco) Rubio's state of Florida alone, Social Security lifts more than -- count it -- a million people out of poverty." Doreen Costa stated on August 10, 2011 in a radio interview: "The studies have shown us that [drug testing for welfare recipients] will be saving us money" Ron Kind stated on June 30, 2011 in a news release: "Before Medicare, only 51 percent of Americans 65 and older had health care coverage and nearly 30 percent lived below the poverty line. Today, thanks to Medicare ... nearly all seniors have coverage and 75 percent fewer struggle in poverty." Sandra Cunningham stated on July 11, 2011 in a speech on the State Senate floor: Says a Senate resolution would restore $140 in monthly general assistance payments and prevent people from committing crime. Bill O'Reilly stated on July 26, 2011 in a comment on Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor": Since 1965, the United States has spent "untold trillions" yet the poverty rate hasn’t budged. Bernie Sanders stated on July 18, 2011 in a tweet: "Since 2000, nearly 12 million Americans have slipped out of the middle class and into poverty." Gary Sasse stated on June 26, 2011 in an interview on 10 News Conference: Rhode Island spends "52 percent more per capita on human service programs than the national average." David Cicilline stated on June 14, 2011 in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives: The WIC program "is an incredibly cost effective program, serving nearly 10 million Americans each year and costing less than $100 per person. In my district, more than 18 percent of residents suffer from food insecurity and depend on WIC to make ends meet."
National Republican Congressional Committee stated on January 25, 2012 in an advertisement: "Since President Obama took full control of Washington," every day, 13,000 more people "have been put on food stamps."
Rick Santorum stated on January 16, 2012 in a debate in South Carolina: Says an Obama administration policy prohibits people who work with at-risk youth from promoting marriage as a way to avoid poverty.
Rick Santorum stated on January 4, 2012 in a New Hampshire town hall with voters: As a result of welfare reform, "poverty levels went down to the lowest level ever for ... African-American children."
Matt Wingard stated on January 2, 2012 in a news story online: "Oregon’s per capita income is 9 percent below the national average and getting worse. This is a state that’s actually getting poorer."
Anne Nolan stated on November 27, 2011 in a news show: "We have one of the highest percentages per capita of nonprofits in this state of any state in the union."
Theresa Price stated on December 10, 2011 in a speech during a rally on homelessness: "Rhode Island is leading our nation in foreclosures."
Boyd Richie stated on November 15, 2011 in an email blast: Says King Street Patriots held a fundraiser featuring an author who believes that registering the poor to vote is un-American.
Mitt Romney stated on December 7, 2011 in an interview on Fox News: "Speaker Gingrich has said that we ought to get rid of our child labor laws."
Chris Bowers stated on November 30, 2011 in an interview: Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is making voting more difficult by closing Department of Motor Vehicles offices where "low-income voters" live.
Newt Gingrich stated on November 30, 2011 in a speech in Council Bluffs, Iowa: People can use food stamps "for anything," including "to go to Hawaii," and even millionaires can qualify.
Lisa Baldelli-Hunt stated on November 17, 2011 in a General Assembly debate on pension overhaul: "Eighty-five percent . . . of Rhode Island tax returns that were filed for the year 2010 . . . were from individuals who earned $30,000 or less."
Republican National Committee stated on November 30, 2011 in a Web video: In Pennsylvania, President Barack Obama’s policies have increased unemployment 19 percent, led to the loss of 37,900 manufacturing jobs, and left 189,000 more people in poverty.
John Stemberger stated on October 20, 2011 in a website: The largest number of gamblers are "from the poorest segments of the population."
Marcia Fudge stated on November 1, 2011 in an MSNBC interview with Al Sharpton: "More than half of the people on food stamps today are children."
Newt Gingrich stated on November 9, 2011 in a written opening statement for a debate: Under President Barack Obama, "more Americans are in poverty ... than at any time since the Census Bureau began keeping records on it over 50 years ago."
Tim Ryan stated on September 28, 2011 in a news release: Attacks on Planned Parenthood "come at a time when the poverty rate among women is the highest in nearly two decades and 1 in 5 women under 65 don’t have access to health care."
Lloyd Doggett stated on September 21, 2011 in a speech delivered to U.S. House of Representatives.: Says the main Central Texas food bank is delivering 50 percent more food to the poor than three years ago.
Stephen Sweeney stated on September 15, 2011 in a message on Facebook: "New Jersey's poverty rate has increased since this governor took office and the number of New Jerseyans without health insurance has risen."
Herman Cain stated on October 18, 2011 in a debate in Las Vegas: The 9-9-9 plan "does not raise taxes on those that are making the least."
Occupied Wall Street Journal stated on October 5, 2011 in an article: "More than 25 million Americans are unemployed. More than 50 million live without health insurance. Perhaps 100 million live in poverty."
Chain email stated on September 24, 2011 in a chain e-mail: "Florida is the first state requiring drug testing to receive welfare!"
Rachel Maddow stated on September 19, 2011 in on "The Rachel Maddow Show": "Poverty among Americans 65 and over is statistically unchanged" in recent years because of Social Security.
Ed Schultz stated on August 25, 2011 in MSNBC's the "Ed Show," Aug. 25, 2011: "In (Sen. Marco) Rubio's state of Florida alone, Social Security lifts more than -- count it -- a million people out of poverty."
Doreen Costa stated on August 10, 2011 in a radio interview: "The studies have shown us that [drug testing for welfare recipients] will be saving us money"
Ron Kind stated on June 30, 2011 in a news release: "Before Medicare, only 51 percent of Americans 65 and older had health care coverage and nearly 30 percent lived below the poverty line. Today, thanks to Medicare ... nearly all seniors have coverage and 75 percent fewer struggle in poverty."
Sandra Cunningham stated on July 11, 2011 in a speech on the State Senate floor: Says a Senate resolution would restore $140 in monthly general assistance payments and prevent people from committing crime.
Bill O'Reilly stated on July 26, 2011 in a comment on Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor": Since 1965, the United States has spent "untold trillions" yet the poverty rate hasn’t budged.
Bernie Sanders stated on July 18, 2011 in a tweet: "Since 2000, nearly 12 million Americans have slipped out of the middle class and into poverty."
Gary Sasse stated on June 26, 2011 in an interview on 10 News Conference: Rhode Island spends "52 percent more per capita on human service programs than the national average."
David Cicilline stated on June 14, 2011 in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives: The WIC program "is an incredibly cost effective program, serving nearly 10 million Americans each year and costing less than $100 per person. In my district, more than 18 percent of residents suffer from food insecurity and depend on WIC to make ends meet."
