Madison Cawthorn Misattributed Quote About Facts
The Claim
Thomas Jefferson said, “Facts are stubborn things.”
News posted on
Emerging story
On June 24, 2021, Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn said during a speech about unemployment benefits: “It was Thomas Jefferson that said ‘Facts are stubborn things.’” Many took to social media to point out that it was actually former President John Adams who said the quote.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s investigation found that the social media users are correct: Adams, not Jefferson, said that facts are stubborn things. Adams said the phrase while defending British soldiers in the 1770 Boston Massacre. The full quote reads: "Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." A transcript of Adams’ argument for the defense can be found here. Adams’ own use of the quote seems to be taken from a proverb used by other authors predating Adams.
Cawthorn previously spoke erroneously about U.S. history when he said that “James Madison was just 25 years old when he signed the Declaration of Independence.” Misbar debunked the claim; Madison was not a signatory on the Declaration of Independence.
He also said that Congress voted on the Emancipation Proclamation, which is incorrect. It was issued by former President Abraham Lincoln.
