On Tuesday, President Donald Trump delivered a speech to the United Nations General Assembly that was riddled with numerous false claims. Many of these statements have been debunked previously, covering a wide range of topics including inflation in the United States, climate policies both domestically and internationally, immigration issues, his claimed role in resolving international conflicts, and his standing in public opinion polls. Below, we will conduct a detailed fact-check of some of his notable remarks.
President Trump asserted, “I ended seven wars, and in all cases, they were raging, with countless thousands of people being killed.” This statement is misleading. While he mentioned conflicts in places like Cambodia, Thailand, Kosovo, Serbia, Congo, Rwanda, Pakistan, India, Israel, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia, it is important to clarify that Egypt and Ethiopia were not at war during Trump’s presidency. They were involved in a long-standing dispute regarding a major dam project, but this does not equate to a war. Similarly, claims of preventing conflict between Serbia and Kosovo are unsubstantiated, as these nations had not been in active conflict during his tenure.
Moreover, Trump’s role in the conflict between The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda remains contentious. A peace agreement was signed, but ongoing military engagements persist, undermining the notion that he successfully resolved this issue. Reports indicate that militia groups continue to fight in a conflict that is one of the most complex and prolonged in history.
Addressing his approval ratings, Trump claimed, “I was very proud to see this morning I have the highest poll numbers I’ve ever had.” However, public polling suggests otherwise. As of Tuesday, a New York Times polling average indicated Trump’s approval rating was around 43%, significantly lower than the 52% approval he enjoyed at the start of his second term in January. Other data sources corroborate this decline, with CNN’s Poll of Polls showing a mere 41% approval rating.
Trump also asserted that “inflation has been defeated” under his leadership. This claim is inaccurate, as inflation has been on the rise since May. For instance, the Consumer Price Index indicated an inflation rate of approximately 2.9% in August, an increase from 2.7% in July. Furthermore, Trump incorrectly claimed that grocery prices have decreased during his presidency; in fact, average grocery prices rose by 1% in August compared to January.
When discussing electricity bills, Trump stated that prices in the U.S. were decreasing, but data reveals the opposite, with electricity prices rising over 6% from the previous year. Moreover, his claim regarding securing "$17 trillion" in foreign investment is unverified, and even his own press secretary presented a lower figure of approximately $9 trillion.
During his speech, Trump referred to climate change as “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.” This statement disregards the overwhelming scientific consensus that global warming is a pressing reality. NASA clarifies that “climate change” encompasses various phenomena, including rising sea levels and increasing temperatures, which have been directly linked to human activities.
Furthermore, Trump mischaracterized China's wind energy policies, claiming they have “very few wind farms.” Contrary to his assertion, China is a global leader in wind energy production, boasting extensive onshore and offshore wind farms. His dismissal of renewable energy sources as ineffective also misrepresents their capabilities, as energy storage solutions can effectively manage energy supply even during periods of low production.
In discussing immigration, Trump claimed, “Just a year ago, millions and millions of people were pouring in, 25 million all together over the four years of the incompetent Biden administration.” This figure is exaggerated; official records show under 11 million encounters with migrants during Biden’s term. Trump also inaccurately stated that the previous administration lost “nearly 300,000 children,” conflating reports that covered multiple years, including parts of his own presidency.
In conclusion, President Trump's speech at the United Nations General Assembly encompassed numerous inaccuracies and misleading statements regarding his presidency. From his claims about ending wars to his assertions about poll numbers and economic conditions, a careful examination reveals a stark difference between his rhetoric and the underlying facts.
