President Donald Trump’s recent address to a joint session of Congress on March 4, 2025, was marked by several contentious and factually questionable statements. Fact-checkers have identified inaccuracies spanning topics such as Social Security, immigration, government spending, and foreign policy.
Social Security Misstatements
President Trump claimed that 4.7 million individuals aged 100 to 109 were receiving Social Security benefits, suggesting widespread fraud. However, the Social Security Administration reports that only 89,106 people aged 99 or older were beneficiaries as of December 2024. This discrepancy stems from outdated software and incomplete records, not fraudulent activity.
Inflation and the Economy
The President described inheriting an economy plagued by inflation. Contrary to this assertion, inflation had significantly decreased since the COVID-19 pandemic, and unemployment rates were well below historical averages at the time of his inauguration.
Government Spending on Research
Trump alleged that the previous administration allocated $8 million to studies on “making mice transgender.” This claim misrepresents research involving hormonal treatments on mice, which did not aim to alter their gender but to study genetic modifications.
Immigration and Border Control
The President stated that “21 million people poured into the United States” during the prior administration. However, according to the Associated Press, the total number of individuals apprehended for illegal entry was below 10.8 million, representing individual arrests rather than the total number of people.
Trade Policies and Tariffs
Trump’s announcement of reciprocal tariffs, set to take effect on April 2, was criticized for lacking clarity and potential economic repercussions. These tariffs aim to balance trade disparities but have raised concerns about their impact on international relations and domestic markets.
Foreign Policy Remarks
In his address, Trump sent a “conciliatory” message to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, referencing a mineral resources deal and questioning continued U.S. funding for Ukraine. He rhetorically asked, “Do you want to keep it going for another five years?” This remark was widely interpreted as a reference to Senator Elizabeth Warren, whom Trump has previously nicknamed “Pocahontas” due to her past claims of Native American ancestry.
These instances underscore the importance of critically evaluating presidential statements and consulting reliable sources for accurate information.
