In a comprehensive analysis, BBC Verify evaluated Trump's statements on topics such as inflation, border crossings, and U.S. aid to Ukraine, uncovering inaccuracies behind these declarations.
**Fact-Checking Donald Trump's Address to Congress: A Breakdown of Misleading Claims**
**Fact-Checking Donald Trump's Address to Congress: A Breakdown of Misleading Claims**
In his recent address to Congress, President Donald Trump made several questionable claims regarding the US economy and key issues under President Joe Biden.
In his extensive address to Congress, President Donald Trump reiterated his signature themes revolving around immigration, inflation, and government spending. However, a closer investigation into the facts reveals significant discrepancies.
Trump asserted he inherited an "economic catastrophe" from Biden, which is misleading. The U.S. economy was growing under the previous administration, with a rate of 2.3% in late 2024. This growth was among the fastest in the G7 according to the International Monetary Fund.
On inflation, Trump claimed that "we suffered the worst inflation in 48 years." While inflation did peak under Biden at 9.1% in June 2022, this level is not unprecedented in U.S. history, having previously exceeded 9% during multiple decades, including the 1940s and 1920s.
Turning to egg prices, Trump blamed Biden for allowing them to "get out of control." In reality, rising prices stem from a bird flu outbreak that has devastated poultry populations and resulted in significant egg shortages. The federal government has allocated funds to manage the crisis, starting under Biden's administration.
Trump praised the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), claiming it identified "hundreds of billions" in fraud in federal spending. However, the department claimed to have saved approximately $105 billion, with independently verifiable savings accounting for only about $18.6 billion, leaving significant questions surrounding the additional savings.
On immigration issues, Trump asserted that February saw "the lowest ever recorded" illegal border crossings, a point later validated by data indicating a drop in encounters. However, his claim that "over the past four years, 21 million people poured into the United States" was challenged by credible estimates, suggesting the number of illegal immigrants is closer to half that figure.
Lastly, on U.S. aid to Ukraine, Trump claimed $350 billion in military assistance, which is not substantiated by available reports. Figures indicate that while the U.S. is a major donor, European nations collectively have contributed more significant amounts.
BBC Verify continues to scrutinize other statements made in Trump's address for factual accuracy, bringing clarity to the ongoing discussions about the current political and economic landscape in the United States.
The article was compiled with contributions from Lucy Gilder, Jake Horton, and Ben Chu.
Trump asserted he inherited an "economic catastrophe" from Biden, which is misleading. The U.S. economy was growing under the previous administration, with a rate of 2.3% in late 2024. This growth was among the fastest in the G7 according to the International Monetary Fund.
On inflation, Trump claimed that "we suffered the worst inflation in 48 years." While inflation did peak under Biden at 9.1% in June 2022, this level is not unprecedented in U.S. history, having previously exceeded 9% during multiple decades, including the 1940s and 1920s.
Turning to egg prices, Trump blamed Biden for allowing them to "get out of control." In reality, rising prices stem from a bird flu outbreak that has devastated poultry populations and resulted in significant egg shortages. The federal government has allocated funds to manage the crisis, starting under Biden's administration.
Trump praised the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), claiming it identified "hundreds of billions" in fraud in federal spending. However, the department claimed to have saved approximately $105 billion, with independently verifiable savings accounting for only about $18.6 billion, leaving significant questions surrounding the additional savings.
On immigration issues, Trump asserted that February saw "the lowest ever recorded" illegal border crossings, a point later validated by data indicating a drop in encounters. However, his claim that "over the past four years, 21 million people poured into the United States" was challenged by credible estimates, suggesting the number of illegal immigrants is closer to half that figure.
Lastly, on U.S. aid to Ukraine, Trump claimed $350 billion in military assistance, which is not substantiated by available reports. Figures indicate that while the U.S. is a major donor, European nations collectively have contributed more significant amounts.
BBC Verify continues to scrutinize other statements made in Trump's address for factual accuracy, bringing clarity to the ongoing discussions about the current political and economic landscape in the United States.
The article was compiled with contributions from Lucy Gilder, Jake Horton, and Ben Chu.
