 "Fact-checking the US president: What Donald Trump got wrong on Day 1 of his second term")
Donald Trump, on his first day back as President of the United States, managed to make waves not just with policy announcements but also with a slew of questionable statements.
From economic claims to remarks about immigration, foreign affairs, and even January 6, the day marked a continuation of the misinformation that defined his previous term.
The Washington Post reports that during his first term, he made 30,573 false or misleading statements. This number grew steadily each year, rising from an average of six per day in his first year to 39 per day by his fourth year.
We take a look at the falsehoods and half-truths from Day 1 of Donald Trump’s second term as US president.
Misleading tariff talk & Inflation distortions
In the Oval Office, Trump reiterated his often-debunked claim that the U.S. “took in hundreds of billions of dollars from China” through tariffs imposed during his first presidency. This is false.
Studies have consistently shown that the burden of these tariffs fell on US importers and consumers, not China. Trump also incorrectly stated that no previous president had imposed tariffs on Chinese imports, ignoring decades of history, including actions by his predecessor Barack Obama.
Trump’s economic exaggerations extended to inflation. While he claimed that inflation during the Biden administration hit “record levels,” the actual record was set in 1920 at 23.7 per cent. The highest under Biden was 9.1 per cent in mid-2022, and by December 2024, it had dropped to 2.9 per cent.
Immigration and the border
In three separate speeches, Trump alleged that migrants from foreign prisons and mental institutions were being sent into the US under Biden. However, these claims remain unsubstantiated.
Experts have found no evidence supporting Trump’s assertions. Similarly, his story about Venezuela sending gang members to the US is baseless and lacks corroboration.
Trump also repeated the exaggerated figure of 571 miles of border wall built during his first term. Official records show the actual figure is 458 miles, which includes new and replacement barriers.
Furthermore, he falsely claimed that the US is the only country offering birthright citizenship, despite at least 30 other nations having similar policies.
January 6 and election lies continue
Trump used his inaugural day to recycle debunked claims about the January 6 Capitol riot. He falsely accused former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of rejecting an offer of 10,000 National Guard troops, despite no evidence such an offer was made.
Trump also suggested that many rioters were “outside agitators,” a claim unsupported by the fact that over 1,500 charged individuals were confirmed to be his supporters.
The former president also accused the January 6 committee of destroying records, which is contradicted by the publication of an 800-page final report and the archiving of over 1 million documents.
Trump’s claims about the legitimacy of the 2020 and 2024 elections also resurfaced, with baseless allegations of rigging and voter fraud in California and other states.
Misstatements around foreign affairs
In his inaugural address, Trump falsely claimed that China operates the Panama Canal, an assertion dismissed by Panamanian officials. While a Hong Kong-based company does manage some port facilities, the canal itself is under Panamanian control.
He also repeated his inaccurate boast about halting China’s oil purchases from Iran, despite data showing continued imports during his presidency.
His remarks about Spain being a member of BRICS were equally incorrect, as the group includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — not Spain.
‘Catch and release’
Trump said, “First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted… I will end the practice of catch and release, and I will send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country.”
Trump’s promise to end “catch and release” highlights a term often used to describe policies across administrations that allow immigrants to await court dates outside detention. The practice was initially prevalent during the Bush administration due to insufficient detention facilities.
However, immigration experts note that “catch and release” is no longer common. Additionally, Trump’s “remain in Mexico” policy, which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their US immigration hearings, faced legal challenges and was suspended during the Biden administration. Details of his proposed executive order remain unclear.
Trump on the Panama Canal
Trump said, “…the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama… We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift… American ships are being severely overcharged.”
Trump’s claims contain significant inaccuracies. The US officially transferred control of the Panama Canal to Panama on December 31, 1999, under the terms of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties.
While the death toll during the canal’s construction was significant, official records state that approximately 5,600 workers died during the American phase — not 38,000, as Trump claimed. Most deaths were among Caribbean labourers.
US healthcare spending
Trump said, “We have a public health system that does not deliver in times of disaster, yet more money is spent on it than any country anywhere in the world.”
This claim is accurate. The US spends more on healthcare per capita than any other nation, nearly double the average of other developed countries.
However, its healthcare outcomes often lag behind those of other high-income countries, especially in areas like life expectancy and maternal mortality.
Climate emergency response
Trump said, “Our country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency, as shown by the wonderful people of North Carolina and California… Fires are still tragically burning… We can’t let this happen.”
Trump’s claims about the US’s inability to respond to emergencies mix hyperbole with misleading assertions. During past wildfires, Trump falsely suggested that California’s governor should “release the water” to combat fires, a claim dismissed by water experts.
In North Carolina, conspiracy theories circulated about Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, including unfounded claims about weather manipulation. While emergency responses are not flawless, federal, state, and local agencies consistently work together to address natural disasters.
Will Trump break his record?
Trump’s recent claims illustrate his continued focus on contentious issues central to his political platform. However, the accuracy of his statements varies significantly, often mixing factual elements with exaggeration or misinformation.
Trump’s first day in office signals a continuation of his penchant for falsehoods and exaggerations, raising questions about whether he’ll surpass his record of misinformation set during his first term.
Fact-checkers brace for another challenging presidency in the US.
With inputs from agencies
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