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PolitiFact Wisconsin: Checking claims about Antifa and light bulb inventor

Posted at 6:03 PM, Sep 11, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-12 09:25:59-04

MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin recently had its share of high profile visits by President Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden after a police shooting and protests in Kenosha.

PolitiFact Wisconsin with the Truth-o-Meter on what was said. "Speaking in Kenosha about the need to be better teach Black history in American - former Vice President Joe Biden said quote a Black man invented the light bulb not a white guy named Edison," said Eric Litke with PolitiFact Wisconsin.

PolitiFact Wisconsin says the former VP was referring to Lewis Latimer, who did play a significant role and was a part of Edison's team of inventors who did earn a patent for new and useful improvements in incandescent electric lamps.

"But all of our research shows that Latimer's work was lesser and later than Edison," said Litke, "his patent was not until a year later than Edison's 1879 light bulb patent."

PolitiFact Wisconsin rated Biden's claim Mostly False, meaning an element of truth but ignores critical facts.

"President Trump's campaign said former Vice President Joe Biden has failed to condemn far left violent groups like Antifa, instead blaming only law enforcement," said Litke.

PolitiFact Wisconsin says Biden has not specifically blamed Anita but he has regularly condemned violence.

"For example, days after George Floyd died gun Minneapolis - Biden condemned burning, destruction and violence," said Litke. August 26th, after Jacob Blake was shot in Kenosha - Biden condemned burning and quote 'violence that endangers lives or guts businesses.'"

PolitiFact Wisconsin says Biden did criticize the actions of Federal Law enforcement in Seattle but has not condemned all of law enforcement.

This claim was rated False.

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