Fact-checking Trump's inaugural speech claims

Tuesday 21 January 2025 - 08:35

On January 20, President Donald Trump took the oath for his second term as the 47th president of the United States, revealing an agenda that mirrored his campaign promises. Addressing the public from the US Capitol Rotunda due to freezing temperatures, Trump stated, “The golden age of America begins now,” pledging to take swift action on various issues, including undocumented immigration, domestic oil drilling, and reasserting traditional gender norms. He also vowed to reverse federal electric vehicle goals and challenge diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Trump's speech in Emancipation Hall shortly after the inaugural address included criticisms of rivals, particularly targeting the House committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, Capitol assault. He disparaged two committee members, calling former Congresswoman Liz Cheney a “crying lunatic” and former Congressman Adam Kinzinger “always crying.”

Several claims made by Trump during his speech have been fact-checked:

1. Do Tariffs Enrich a Country?

Trump argued that tariffs would enrich American citizens rather than taxing them for the benefit of foreign nations. However, most economists disagree, asserting that tariffs generally raise prices for consumers and reduce economic productivity by disrupting trade and raising production costs.

2. Green New Deal Mandate:

Trump falsely claimed that he would end a "Green New Deal" and revoke an electric vehicle mandate. However, no Green New Deal law was ever enacted, and executive actions cannot overturn legislation passed by Congress.

3. Record Inflation Under Biden:

Trump stated that he would use his cabinet’s powers to fight “record inflation.” While inflation was high under Biden, peaking at around 9% in mid-2022, it was still lower than the inflation seen in the 1970s and 1980s, which reached double-digit levels.

4. Migrants from Prisons and Mental Institutions:

Trump repeated the claim that countries were sending criminals and individuals from mental institutions to the U.S. illegally. There is no evidence to support this, though immigration officials have arrested individuals with criminal convictions.

5. China and the Panama Canal:

Trump inaccurately claimed that China controls the Panama Canal. In reality, Panama has had full control of the canal since 1999, with China holding some influence through port management but not controlling the canal itself.

6. Death Toll in Panama Canal Construction:

Trump claimed that 38,000 Americans died during the construction of the Panama Canal, a number higher than the official toll. While approximately 25,000 workers died during U.S. efforts, the total includes deaths from the earlier French attempt.

7. Apple Prices Under Biden:

Trump claimed that apple prices had doubled under Biden. However, although apple prices did rise during his presidency, the increase was not as dramatic as claimed, peaking at 1.4 times the price from when Biden took office, not double.

8. Biden Pardoning Murderers:

Trump alleged that Biden pardoned 33 murderers. In fact, Biden commuted the sentences of individuals facing federal death penalties, changing their sentences to life in prison, not pardoning them.

Fact-Checking Trump's Inaugural Speech emphasizes the importance of verifying statements, particularly those made in high-profile addresses, to ensure accuracy and accountability.