President Joe Biden’s latest boast about his signature legislation — the Inflation Reduction Act — was such a stretch that even Twitter flagged the claim, suggesting that followers be made aware of additional context.
With just over a week to go until the midterm elections, Biden has made a handful of campaign stops for Democratic candidates around the country — and has spent his time on social media either attacking Republicans as “ultra-MAGA extremists” or touting his own accomplishments in an effort to push members of his party across the finish line.
But according to Twitter, Biden’s Friday attempt to do just that crossed a line — prompting the platform to flag his tweet.
“Let me give you the facts,” Biden tweeted. “In 2020, 55 corporations made $40 billion. And they paid zero in federal taxes. My Inflation Reduction Act puts an end to this.”
Let me give you the facts.
In 2020, 55 corporations made $40 billion. And they paid zero in federal taxes.
My Inflation Reduction Act puts an end to this.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 29, 2022
The flag, which appeared immediately below the president’s tweet on the platform, included context added by readers because “they thought people might want to know.”
Screen Shot/Twitter
“The Inflation Reduction Act imposed a minimum tax on corporations with average pre-tax earnings greater than $1 billion,” the addition explained, adding links to source information from Reuters and a government website.
Citing The Washington Post, the statement added, “Out of the 55 corporations the tweet references, only 14 had earnings greater than $1 billion and would be eligible under Biden’s law.”
“Elon buys Twitter and now they’re fact checking liberals. Finally. I love it,” Army Ranger veteran and former U.S. Senate candidate Sean Parnell (R-PA) tweeted in response.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Elon buys Twitter and now they’re fact checking liberals. Finally.
I love it. https://t.co/da9yLXPVmL
— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellUSA) October 30, 2022
“Omg that fact checked Biden. It’s like we’ve stepped into an alternate universe,” Brennon Chapman added.
Omg that fact checked Biden. It’s like we’ve stepped into an alternate universe. https://t.co/BWS79Ok2cH
— Brennon Chapman (@BrennonChapman) October 29, 2022
“Check out the fact check below. I’m already loving @elonmusk‘s new @Twitter!” Virginia Delegate Glenn Davis commented.
Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) threw in some additional context, sharing a statement from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Graham cited the Congressional Budget Office in an August statement claiming that Biden’s so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” would do little, if anything, to reduce inflation.
According to the CBO, Graham — who serves as ranking member on the Senate Budget Committee — said the “proposal’s effect on inflation is negligible at best.”
Here’s a fact, Jack: your “inflation reduction act” won’t reduce inflation, you WEF tool. pic.twitter.com/zaqXR30nTf
— Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) October 29, 2022