In a recent address, President Trump highlighted initiatives from his first six weeks in office, though many statements contained inaccuracies. He exaggerated immigration statistics, claiming illegal border crossings were at record lows, while historical data shows lower averages in the 1960s. He inflated the figure of illegal crossings under Biden, misrepresenting arrest numbers. Economists critique his tariffs as harmful to the economy, contrary to his claims. He falsely stated that millions over 100 are receiving Social Security benefits, a misconception tied to outdated database issues. Additionally, he inaccurately described his economic inheritance and mischaracterized Biden’s electric vehicle policies, among other claims.
During his address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, President Donald Trump emphasized various initiatives he has launched in his initial six weeks in office; however, many of his statements were filled with inaccuracies and misleading claims.
Here’s a breakdown of the facts:
He exaggerated the statistics on his immigration enforcement
Trump: “Illegal border crossings last month were by far the lowest ever recorded. Ever.”
The Facts: In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that Border Patrol apprehended 8,326 individuals at the U.S.-Mexico border last month. However, U.S. government data indicates that Border Patrol routinely had lower average apprehension numbers in the 1960s.
Although February posted the lowest arrest total in decades, for the first seven years of the 1960s, Border Patrol averaged lower than the February 2025 figure. The government does not track U.S.-Mexico border totals from before 1960. In 1961, the monthly average for Border Patrol was 1,752 arrests.
He inflated the count of individuals who entered the U.S. illegally under President Joe Biden
Trump: “Over the past four years, 21 million people poured into the United States. Many of them were murderers, human traffickers, gang members.”
The Facts: This number, frequently cited by Trump, is significantly inflated. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported over 10.8 million arrests for illegal crossings from Mexico between January 2021 and December 2024.
However, these are arrests, not a count of unique individuals. Due to asylum restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals crossed multiple times until successful, as there were no legal penalties for being returned to Mexico. Thus, the actual number of people is lower than the number of arrests.
No evidence supports the claim that other countries are sending their criminals or mentally ill individuals across the border, despite Trump’s frequent assertions.
Economists disagree with Trump on tariffs
Trump: “Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again. And it’s happening. And it will happen rather quickly. There’ll be a little disturbance, but we’re OK with that. It won’t be much.”
The Facts: Trump relies on the premise that taxing imports will lead to wealth for the United States. However, the majority of economists believe Trump’s tariffs could harm the economy, as they represent tax increases that may elevate the cost of goods in damaging ways to economic growth. Trump posits that the impact on inflation will be minimal.
A study by the Yale University Budget Lab on the tariffs Trump imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China found that inflation could rise by a full percentage point, economic growth might decrease by half a percentage point, and the average household could lose approximately $1,600 in disposable income.
There is no proof that Social Security funds are being disbursed to many people over the age of 100
Trump: “Believe it or not, government databases list 4.7 million Social Security members from ages 100 to 109. It lists 3.6 million from ages 110 to 119… 3.47 million from ages 120 to 129. 3.9 million from ages 130 to 139. 3.5 million from ages 140 to 149. And money is being paid to many of them, and we are searching right now.”
The Facts: While the databases may include those ages, it does not imply that they are receiving benefits.
Part of the confusion stems from the Social Security software system, which is based on the COBOL programming language and does not specify a date format, resulting in some records with missing or incomplete birthdates defaulting to more than 150 years ago. WIRED was the first to report the use of COBOL at the Social Security Administration.
Moreover, several reports from the Social Security Administration’s inspector general in March 2023 and July 2024 indicate that the agency has not implemented a new system to accurately record death information in its database, which included about 18.9 million Social Security numbers of individuals born in 1920 or earlier but were not marked as deceased. However, this does not mean these individuals were receiving benefits.
The agency opted not to update the database due to the estimated cost of over $9 million. As of September 2015, the agency automatically halts payments to individuals older than 115 years.
Trump did not inherit an ‘economic catastrophe’
Trump: “Among my very highest priorities is to rescue our economy and get dramatic and immediate relief to working families. As you know, we inherited from the last administration an economic catastrophe and an inflation nightmare.”
The Facts: Inflation surged to 9.1% in 2022 under President Joe Biden, but Trump did not take over a disastrous economy by any standard. The unemployment rate was reduced to a low 4% in January of his first month in office, while the economy expanded at a robust 2.8% in 2024. Inflation-adjusted incomes have consistently risen since mid-2023, and while inflation remains elevated at 3% in January, it has decreased from its peak in 2022.
Trump’s assertion about an ‘EV mandate’ is incorrect
Trump: “We ended the last administration’s insane electric vehicle mandate, saving our auto workers and companies from economic destruction.”
The Facts: Trump has falsely asserted numerous times that a federal mandate required the purchase of EVs.
The Biden administration established a non-binding target for EVs to constitute half of new car sales by 2030. On his first day in office, Trump issued an executive order rescinding that target.
Biden’s administration focused on tightening pollution regulations for gas-powered cars and trucks to promote the purchase of EVs and the transition of auto manufacturers from gas-powered to electric vehicles.
A closer examination of Army recruitment figures
Trump: “I am pleased to report that in January, the U.S. Army had its single best recruiting month in 15 years.”
The Facts: Trump has repeatedly associated the Army’s recruitment improvements with his presidency.
However, data from the Army indicates that recruitment numbers have been steadily rising over the past year, with the highest total achieved in August 2024—prior to the November election. Army officials monitor recruitment figures closely.
A key element contributing to the recruitment success was the Army’s introduction of the Future Soldier Prep Course at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in August 2022. This program offers lower-performing recruits up to 90 days of academic or fitness training to help them meet military standards before proceeding to basic training.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)