GOP Rep. McClain falsely claimed that Trump caught Osama bin Laden. The Al Qaeda leader was killed during the first Obama administration, when Trump was still hosting a game show.

Advertisement
GOP Rep. McClain falsely claimed that Trump caught Osama bin Laden. The Al Qaeda leader was killed during the first Obama administration, when Trump was still hosting a game show.
U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) speaks at a rally hosted by former President Donald Trump on April 02, 2022 near Washington, Michigan.Scott Olson/Getty Images
  • Rep. Lisa McClain wrongly claimed Osama bin Laden was caught during the Trump administration.
  • Bin Laden was killed during a 2011 raid under the Obama administration.
Advertisement

Michigan Congresswoman Lisa McClain falsely claimed during a Saturday campaign rally that Osama bin Laden had been caught by the Trump administration.

"Well, President Trump was in office. We didn't have a war and I think he made three peace treaties," McClain said during her speech. "Caught Osama – Osama bin Laden and Soleimani, Al Baghdadi. And this President is weak. And I'll tell you weakness breeds aggression. We need strength."

Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian general, and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, a leader of ISIS, were both killed during military operations completed during the Trump administration.

The 2011 raid that killed bin Laden, however, was conducted during President Barack Obama's first term in office. Joe Biden was serving as vice president at the time. Trump was hosting "The Apprentice" – a reality/game show on NBC.

During her remarks, McClain also said unemployment is at a "40-year high" while there is "a labor shortage."

Advertisement

The current unemployment rate is 3.8%, down from a record of 14.7% during the height of the pandemic and lower than it has been for most of the last 20 years.

McClain's office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

{{}}