Fact check: Trump makes numerous false statements during Cabinet meeting

During his televised Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Donald Trump made numerous inaccurate statements, many of which have been previously debunked. He repeated familiar misleading claims about grocery prices, prescription drug costs, inflation, US investment, gas prices, foreign aid, military actions, China, electric vehicles, the 2020 election, crime, and domestic policy.

Grocery Prices

Trump claimed that grocery prices have decreased, but recent Consumer Price Index data for September shows that grocery costs rose approximately 2.7% compared to September 2024, 1.4% since January 2025 when he returned to office, and 0.3% from August to September.

Prescription Drug Costs

Trump exaggerated the impact of his executive order on prescription drugs, claiming price reductions of 200% to 900%, which are mathematically impossible. Even a total elimination of drug costs would represent a 100% reduction.

Inflation

Trump stated that inflation has been stopped in its tracks since January, but the year-over-year inflation rate in September remained at 3.0%, slightly higher than earlier in the year. He also inaccurately claimed that he inherited the worst inflation in history, while the inflation rate at the start of Bidens presidency was 3.0%, far from historical peaks.

Investment in the US

Trump asserted that the administration secured over $18 trillion in new investments. However, the official White House website reported $9.6 trillion in commitments, which included vague pledges rather than confirmed investments in the United States.

Gas Prices

Trump claimed gasoline costs are about $2.50 per gallon. While some states had prices near that level, the national average was closer to $3.00 per gallon.

US Aid to Ukraine

Trump overstated US aid to Ukraine, claiming $350 billion had been given. Federal oversight reported about $94 billion disbursed by June 2025, with additional appropriations and commitments bringing the total to roughly $138 billion.

Military Actions

Trump claimed to have ended eight wars, but many conflicts on his list were not actual wars or remained unresolved. He also overstated the impact of strikes on alleged drug boats, claiming 25,000 lives saved per strike, a figure experts consider unrealistic.

China and Gasoline

Trump said China doesnt have gasoline. In reality, China produced over four million barrels of crude per day in 2024, far less than US production but still significant.

Electric Vehicles

Trump claimed Bidens policies would force all Americans to own electric cars by 2030. Bidens policies targeted automakers, aiming for a share of new vehicles sold to be electric, not mandatory ownership.

2020 Election

Trump repeated false claims that the 2020 election was rigged. Official results confirm that Biden legitimately won a free and fair election.

Crime in Washington, DC

Trump claimed there were no murders in Washington, DC, despite ongoing homicides, including attacks on National Guard troops.

Domestic Policy and Social Security

Trump stated his domestic policy bill included no Social Security tax. While the bill created a temporary deduction for older individuals, millions of Social Security recipients continue to pay taxes on their benefits, and the deduction does not apply to those under 65.

Author: Sophia Brooks