In a recent interview with NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas, President Donald Trump discussed a range of topics, including immigration, the economy, and foreign policy. However, some of his claims during the conversation have drawn scrutiny for being misleading or inaccurate.
Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims
Dissecting Economic Statements
Regarding inflation, Trump claimed he inherited “the worst inflation in the history of our country.” This statement is misleading. When he assumed office in January 2025, inflation was at 3% and had decreased to as low as 2.3% by April of that year. The highest recorded inflation rate in U.S. history occurred in 1980, exceeding 14%.
Trump also asserted that current job numbers are at their highest ever. While this is technically correct, job growth has significantly slowed since he took office. In 2025, only 584,000 jobs were created, a stark decline from over 2 million in both 2023 and 2024. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025 marked the lowest job creation year since 2003.
Investment Claims Under Scrutiny
On the topic of investments, Trump stated, “I have $18 trillion being invested into the country.” However, Bloomberg Economics reports that the more accurate figure is $9.6 trillion, which includes many investments that were simply revisions of previous commitments.
Gross Domestic Product Information
Trump claimed the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was at 5.6%, attributing drops to what he called the “Democrat shutdown.” In reality, the Labor Department recorded an annualized GDP growth rate of 4.4% in the third quarter of last year. Since 2021, the economy has not surpassed a 5% growth rate.
Immigration and Crime Assertions
Claims About Crime Rates
Trump emphasized that crime rates are at record lows under his administration. While crime rates have indeed been decreasing, historical data indicates this trend began well before Trump took office. The Council on Criminal Justice acknowledged a potential record low in the homicide rate for the current year, but this does not extend to all violent crimes.
Immigration Enforcement Statements
In discussing immigration, Trump said that his administration focuses solely on “bad criminals.” However, reporting by NBC News indicates a significant number of individuals arrested under his administration had no prior criminal history. Claims regarding thousands of murderers entering the U.S. under the Biden administration are also unsupported by current statistics.
Election Integrity and Foreign Policy Issues
Claims About Election Legitimacy
Trump made several assertions regarding the integrity of U.S. elections, specifically referencing his belief that the 2020 election was fraudulent. He claimed to have won three elections, including one he did not actually compete in. Claims of widespread voter fraud in cities like Detroit, Philadelphia, and Atlanta have been repeatedly debunked.
Foreign Policy and Iran
When discussing U.S. military actions against Iran, Trump alleged that the strikes “wiped out” Iran’s nuclear program. U.S. officials, however, clarified that Iran was not on the verge of acquiring a nuclear weapon and that the strikes only temporarily disrupted some aspects of the program.
Conclusion
The interview highlighted various claims by President Trump that revised historical economic statistics and immigration facts. A thorough analysis reveals significant discrepancies in his statements, prompting concerns about their accuracy and implications for public understanding.
