Fact Check Trump Presidential Address: Claims clash with administration’s own data

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s optimistic description of the nation’s progress stood in distinction Wednesday to the truth dealing with many Individuals and a few statistics from his personal administration.

From the White Home, Trump criticized his Democratic predecessor and praised his personal document.

Inflation

Trump: He accused Democrats of bequeathing him an “inflation catastrophe,” calling it “the worst in our nation’s historical past” and saying costs for turkey, eggs and “every little thing else” at the moment are “falling quickly.”

The information: Inflation knowledge doesn’t help his declare. Costs are about the place they had been when he took workplace, after falling considerably on the finish of Joe Biden’s presidency. And inflation in the course of the Biden years was not the worst in American historical past.

The buyer worth index was 3% in September, the identical as in January and solely barely above the two.9% of December, Biden’s final full month as president.

A current AP-NORC ballot discovered that almost all Individuals are nonetheless seeing unusually excessive costs for groceries, electrical energy and vacation items.

Inflation peaked at 9.1% in June 2022 underneath Biden, on account of provide chain disruptions, massive quantities of presidency support and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However inflation has been increased earlier than, peaking at 13% in 1980 and virtually 20% in the course of the First World Battle.

Inflation declined throughout Trump’s first months in workplace, however rose once more after he introduced tariffs in April.

President Donald Trump attends the Military Navy soccer sport at M&T Financial institution Stadium. December 13, 2025. (Official White Home picture by Daniel Torok)

Funding

Trump: “I secured a record-breaking funding of $18 trillion in the US.”

The information: Trump has offered no proof for that determine. Public statements from corporations, international governments and even the White Home counsel the quantity is inflated and much above any confirmed whole.

The White Home web site cites a a lot smaller determine — $9.6 trillion — and that seems to incorporate pledges made throughout Biden’s presidency.

Trump has typically claimed massive funding numbers with out offering particulars. Among the commitments he introduced throughout his journey to Japan and South Korea in October span a number of years, and it stays unclear how robust these commitments are.

‘Landslide’ victory

Trump: “I used to be elected in a landslide, successful the favored vote and all seven swing states and every little thing else, with a mandate to tackle a sick and corrupt system.”

The information: Trump received decisively, however not by a landslide. His 312 electoral votes had been fewer than the numbers received by Democrats Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 and Invoice Clinton in 1992 and 1996.

In addition they lag far behind the historic outbursts of Franklin Roosevelt in 1936, Lyndon Johnson in 1964, Richard Nixon in 1972 and Ronald Reagan in 1984.

Trump received extra votes than his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, however not a majority. His margin for 2024 is among the many smaller presidential victories.

President Donald Trump gestures to the gang after delivering remarks in regards to the economic system on the Mount Ethereal On line casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Official White Home Picture by Molly Riley)