In his March 4 address to Congress, which sometimes resembled a rally, Trump made several false and misleading claims across various topics. Democrats fact-checked his speech in real-time by holding up paddles reading ‘FALSE’ each time Trump stated a falsehood.
Inflated Foreign Aid Figures
Trump asserted that the United States had provided $350 billion in aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion. However, the actual amount is approximately $120 billion, with European nations contributing nearly $138 billion.
Misrepresentation of Social Security Payments
The president claimed that millions of deceased individuals continue to receive Social Security payments. In reality, while there are flaws in the system, they do not result in payments to deceased persons.
There’s no evidence Social Security money is being paid to many people over age 100.
Exaggerated Immigration Success
TRUMP: “Illegal border crossings last month were by far the lowest ever recorded. Ever.”
THE FACTS: Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Saturday that Border Patrol apprehended 8,326 people on the U.S.-Mexico border last month. But U.S. government data show that Border Patrol routinely averaged below that number in the 1960s.
Misleading Economic Inheritance
The president suggested he inherited a dire economy upon taking office. Contrary to this claim, the economy had strong employment and growth before his term.
TRUMP: “Among my very highest priorities is to rescue our economy and get dramatic and immediate relief to working families. As you know, we inherited from the last administration an economic catastrophe and an inflation nightmare.”
THE FACTS: Inflation peaked at 9.1% in 2022 under President Joe Biden, but Trump did not inherit a disastrous economy by any measure.
Trump’s reference to an ‘EV mandate’ is inaccurate.
TRUMP: “We ended the last administration’s insane electric vehicle mandate, saving our auto workers and companies from economic destruction.”
THE FACTS: There was no federal mandate to force the purchase of EVs, as Trump has falsely claimed many times before.
Inaccurate Polling Data
Trump referenced an outdated, partisan poll to suggest a majority of Americans feel the country is on the right track. More recent surveys contradict this assertion.
Unsubstantiated Claims of Government Fraud
The president credited Elon Musk with uncovering “hundreds of billions” in government fraud. Documentation shows under $9 billion in savings, with no evidence of actual fraud.
These instances highlight the importance of fact-checking and scrutinizing statements made by public officials.