In every presidential election, Democrats and Republicans lob charges and claims about the venerable old-age programs Social Security and Medicare. Older Americans are more reliable voters, and these types of attacks — which at The Fact Checker we call “Mediscare” — appear to have resonance. But caveat emptor — the claims are often misleading.

In her first campaign rally as the likely Democratic nominee, Vice President Harris falsely said that the GOP blueprint for governing in a new administration proposed cuts to Social Security. In a campaign speech after Harris replaced President Biden as former president Donald Trump’s opponent, Trump falsely claimed that Harris voted to cut Medicare and would raise the age to qualify for full Social Security benefits. Let’s take a look.

“His extreme 2025 agenda will weaken the middle class. We know we need to take this seriously. Can you believe they put that thing in writing? Read it. It’s 900 pages. But here’s the thing. When you read it, you will see Donald Trump intends to cut Social Security and Medicare.”