longer.blue

List of misstated or misleading facts from Trump’s March 4, 2025, address to Congress, with direct references to reliable sources: 1. Illegal Border Crossings - Historical Context Claim: February 2025 saw the “lowest illegal border crossings ever recorded.” Fact: While February’s numbers were low, historical data from the 1960s shows even lower levels. Source: [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/3bea1df50167ac0a91f8c419b58c4b97) 2. 21 Million Migrants Entering the U.S. Claim: “Over the past four years, 21 million people poured into the United States.” Fact: This figure counts multiple crossings by the same individuals and includes pandemic-related expulsions, not permanent entries. Source: [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/3bea1df50167ac0a91f8c419b58c4b97) 3. Tariffs as an Economic Cure-All Claim: Tariffs will “make America rich again” without raising costs. Fact: Economists broadly agree tariffs would increase inflation and reduce growth, costing households about $1,600 per year. Source: [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/3bea1df50167ac0a91f8c419b58c4b97) 4. Social Security Fraud and Centenarians Claim: Millions of deceased individuals, some over 130 years old, still receive benefits. Fact: The outdated records exist, but there’s no evidence payments are being made to deceased individuals. Source: [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/3bea1df50167ac0a91f8c419b58c4b97) 5. Inherited Inflation and Economic Crisis Claim: Trump inherited “the worst inflation in 48 years.” Fact: Inflation peaked at 9.1% in 2022 (a 40-year high, not 48), and inflation dropped significantly before Trump took office. Source: [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/3bea1df50167ac0a91f8c419b58c4b97) 6. Electric Vehicle Mandate Claim: Trump repealed an “insane EV mandate.” Fact: No such federal mandate existed—there were only nonbinding goals to promote EVs. Source: [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/3bea1df50167ac0a91f8c419b58c4b97) 7. Army Recruitment Success Claim: Army recruitment hit record highs in early 2025. Fact: Official Army data showed continued struggles with recruitment, even with policy changes. Source: [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/3bea1df50167ac0a91f8c419b58c4b97) 8. Aid to Ukraine Claim: The U.S. gave ”$350 billion” to Ukraine while Europe gave only $100 billion. Fact: U.S. aid totaled about $121 billion; Europe contributed around $140 billion. Source: [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/05/trump-congress-address-fact-check) 9. DOGE Fraud Findings (Elon Musk’s Agency) Claim: Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency uncovered “hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud.” Fact: DOGE documented only $105 billion in potential savings—actual verified savings were under $20 billion, and none were directly tied to fraud. Source: [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/05/trump-congress-address-fact-check) 10. Poll Numbers and National Sentiment Claim: For the first time, “more Americans believe the country is on the right track than the wrong track.” Fact: Most recent polls still show a majority believing the U.S. is on the wrong track. Source: [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/05/trump-congress-address-fact-check) 11. Transgender Athletes and Federal Funding Claim: Schools allowing transgender athletes would lose federal funding under a Trump order. Fact: This policy is not yet enacted and would face immediate legal challenges if implemented. Source: [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/7bcee61842b43353f6b5be9e459f7ecb) 12. Autism Rates Over Time Claim: Autism rates rose from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 36 “in recent years.” Fact: The 1 in 10,000 figure is outdated, from decades before modern diagnostic criteria existed. Source: [FactCheck.org](https://www.factcheck.org/2025/03/factchecking-trumps-address-to-congress-2) 13. Iron Dome for the U.S. Claim: The U.S. has its own Iron Dome missile defense system. Fact: No such system exists for nationwide U.S. defense—Israel’s Iron Dome protects a small area. Source: [FactCheck.org](https://www.factcheck.org/2025/03/factchecking-trumps-address-to-congress-2) 14. Mental Institution Releases at the Border Claim: Migrants from “insane asylums and mental institutions” were released into the U.S. Fact: No evidence supports this. It’s a recycled, exaggerated talking point. Source: [FactCheck.org](https://www.factcheck.org/2025/03/factchecking-trumps-address-to-congress-2) 15. Fentanyl from Canada Claim: Canada allows fentanyl to “flood into the U.S.” Fact: Less than 1% of fentanyl seized at U.S. borders comes from Canada—most comes through Mexico. Source: [FactCheck.org](https://www.factcheck.org/2025/03/factchecking-trumps-address-to-congress-2) 16. U.S. Energy Reserves Claim: The U.S. has more “liquid gold under our feet” than any other nation. Fact: Venezuela and Saudi Arabia have significantly larger proven oil reserves than the U.S. Source: [FactCheck.org](https://www.factcheck.org/2025/03/factchecking-trumps-address-to-congress-2) 17. Panama Canal Death Toll and Chinese Control Claim: 38,000 Americans died building the Panama Canal and Panama gave control to China. Fact: About 5,600 workers died (most non-American), and Panama—not China—controls the canal. Source: [FactCheck.org](https://www.factcheck.org/2025/03/factchecking-trumps-address-to-congress-2)