NPR States Inaccurate Numbers in Joe Biden Overstatement Claim

Image: Getty Images 2021

On January 20th, Joe Biden delivered his inaugural address which fact checkers have since combed through for the most party, accurately.

However, NPR and other outlets have stated that Biden's statement regarding COVID deaths was overstated.

Joe Biden said that:

It’s taken as many lives in one year as America lost in all of World War II.

NPR claimed that:

While the number is close, this is a slight overstatement. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the total American deaths in World War II totaled 405,399. Johns Hopkins University reports that 401,774 Americans have died from COVID-19 as of 6:22 a.m. ET today. With cases and deaths continuing to rise, though, the U.S. is likely to surpass the number of deaths in WWII soon — potentially even before the grim upcoming anniversary of the first death reported in the U.S. on Feb. 6.

However, Joe Biden delivered his speech after noon EST by which time there were almost 403 thousand COVID-19 deaths (See archived COVID-19 dashboard - Jan 20).

By 6:00AM the following day, there were 406,162 thousand deaths (See COVID-19 dashboard - Jan 21) which is well over the 405,399 World War II death toll.

Which means on January 20th, 2021, COVID-19 deaths did indeed exceed WWII deaths and Biden was within reason to estimate by the time he addressed the country, that COVID-19 deaths would be approximately equal to that of WWII. He was also generalizing and not being specific which is a fair generalizing given how close the numbers were.

At noon on January 20th, 2021, the COVID-19 deaths were at 99.4% of WWII deaths and it's safe to assume there were additional deaths not yet reported.

We can calculate the percentage with this simple equation:

Which equates to 99.4 as shown below.

Regardless, NPR misstated the actual COVID-19 deaths when the statement was made which was 402,977, not 401,774 which was the 6am reported numbers.

Biden False Statement

Now where Joe Biden did misspeak was in stating "in all of World War II" deaths because it was only battle deaths that tallied over 405 thousand. The number did not include US deaths for other things such as automobile accidents, influenza, heart attacks, etc.. which would be suggested by "in all of World War II"

Summary

NPR misstated the actual COVID-19 deaths when the statement was made which was 402,977, not 401,774 which was the 6am reported numbers. Additionally, Biden was generalizing and within a reasonable variance to make the statement he made.

Claim: "Joe Biden overstated COVID-19 deaths compared to World War II"

Fact Check Verdict: FALSE FACT

Claimant: NPR