At the first Cabinet meeting of his new administration, President Donald Trump made numerous claims that were fact-checked and found to be false.
These included topics such as Ukraine aid, U.S.-EU trade relations, inflation, and drug overdose deaths. Below, we break down the key falsehoods presented by Trump.
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Ukraine Aid and U.S.-Europe Relations
U.S. vs. Europe Aid to Ukraine
Trump claimed that the U.S. had provided $350 billion in aid to Ukraine while Europe had given only $100 billion. In reality, Europe’s total aid commitments, including both the EU and individual countries, amounted to around $259 billion by December 2024, far exceeding the U.S. contribution of about $125 billion.
Obama’s Aid to Ukraine
Trump also revived the false claim that the Obama administration had only sent "sheets" to Ukraine. This is inaccurate, as Obama’s administration provided over $600 million in security assistance, including vital military equipment like armored Humvees and counter-artillery radars.
The Formation of the European Union
Trump repeated his erroneous assertion that the EU was created to harm the U.S. Historically, U.S. presidents have supported European integration as a means of stabilizing Western Europe and promoting economic growth.
Trade and Economic Claims
U.S.-EU Agricultural Trade
Trump claimed that the EU doesn’t accept U.S. agricultural products. In fact, the EU purchased over $12 billion in U.S. agricultural exports in 2023, ranking as the fourth-largest market for U.S. agricultural goods.
China Tariffs
Trump again falsely claimed that the U.S. took in hundreds of billions of dollars from Chinese tariffs. The truth is that U.S. importers, not China, paid these tariffs, with American consumers often bearing the cost.
Trade Deficit with Canada
Trump exaggerated the U.S. trade deficit with Canada, claiming a $200 billion shortfall. In reality, the U.S. trade deficit in goods and services with Canada was closer to $40 billion in 2023.
Inflation, Education, and Health Claims
Inflation Under Trump
Trump falsely claimed that there was no inflation during his presidency. While inflation was low in January 2021, it was not nonexistent, with a 1.4% rate reported at that time.
Education Rankings
Trump repeated the false claim that the U.S. ranked 40th out of 40 countries in education. In reality, the U.S. ranks above average in reading and science, though below average in math, according to global assessments.
Fentanyl Overdose Deaths
Trump incorrectly stated that 300,000 Americans die from fentanyl overdoses annually. The real number, according to the CDC, is closer to 55,000, a significant discrepancy.
Foreign Affairs and Other Misstatements
Defeating ISIS
Trump falsely claimed that the U.S. defeated ISIS in just three weeks, though the group’s caliphate was only declared fully liberated more than two years into his presidency.
Mail-In Voting
Trump inaccurately stated that the U.S. is the only country with mail-in voting, ignoring the fact that many other nations, such as Canada and Germany, allow some form of mail-in voting.
Military Equipment in Afghanistan
Trump repeated his exaggerated claim that the U.S. left tens of billions of dollars worth of military equipment to the Taliban in Afghanistan. The actual value was estimated at around $7.1 billion, significantly less than Trump suggested.
Finally
Throughout the Cabinet meeting, Trump presented a series of falsehoods that misrepresented facts about foreign aid, trade, the economy, and other important issues. Fact-checking these claims reveals a pattern of inaccuracies and misleading statements, which require clarification to maintain a truthful understanding of these matters.
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