Final answer:
The claim that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton did not have independent Super PACs running ads on their behalf in 2016 is false. Super PACs have the ability to raise and spend unlimited funds independently to support or oppose candidates, and they were active during the 2016 presidential election.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton did not have independent Super PACs running ads on their behalf in 2016 is False. Super PACs, or Independent Expenditure-Only Committees, which emerged more prominently after the Citizens United decision in 2010, have been instrumental in supporting or attacking candidates without direct coordination with the candidates' campaigns. They can raise and spend unlimited funds to influence elections through ads or other means. For instance, in the 2020 elections, Super PACs spent over $2 billion. It is well documented that in 2016, Super PACs also played a significant role in supporting both Democratic and Republican candidates, including Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
During the 2016 election, both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were well-known figures with substantial name recognition, which historically has made it easier for candidates to attract campaign funding and Super PAC support. Super PACs are able to support these candidates vigorously due to their ability to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money independently from the campaigns. While Super PACs cannot directly contribute to or strategize with a candidate's campaign, they have been a pivotal force in modern elections through their financing of political action meant to influence voters.