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AP Fact Check: Trump Distorts Data, Democrats Cut Corners

Associated Press

   Rallying in swing-state Wisconsin, President Donald Trump used
   misleading economic data to claim he's created a "blue collar boom"
   while Democrats vying to replace him cut some corners on the facts in
   their latest presidential debate.

   Here's a look at some statements from both stages, in Milwaukee and Des
   Moines, Iowa.

   TRUMP: "More than 300,000 people under Obama, 300,000 people, left the
   workforce. Under just three years of my administration, 3.5 million
   people have joined the workforce.''

   THE FACTS: Trump is wrong about Barack Obama's record.

   More than 5 million people joined the U.S. labor force during Obama's
   presidency, according to Labor Department figures. These gains reflect
   the recovery from the Great Recession as well as population growth. But
   Trump does have reason to celebrate as well. More than 4.8 million
   people have joined the labor force in just three years of his
   presidency.

   TRUMP: "Mexico's paying for the wall. ... You know that. It's all
   worked out.''

   THE FACTS: Mexico isn't paying for Trump's long-promised border wall.

   Trump has argued that the updated trade agreement with Canada and
   Mexico will pay for the wall because of economic benefits he predicts
   will come from the deal. Nothing in the trade agreement would cover or
   refund the construction cost or require a payment from Mexico.

   Instead, he is assuming a wide variety of economic benefits that can't
   be quantified or counted on. For example, he has said the deal will
   dissuade some U.S. companies from moving operations to Mexico and he
   credits that possibility as a payment by Mexico.

   The agreement preserves the existing liberalized environment of low or
   no tariffs among the U.S., Mexico and Canada, with certain improvements
   for each country.

   Although his 2016 campaign left open the possibility that Mexico might
   somehow contribute to the cost indirectly, Trump repeatedly roused his
   crowds with the straight-ahead promise: "I will have Mexico pay for
   that wall.''

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