In a recent interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” former President Donald Trump made numerous inaccurate claims, totaling at least 18 falsehoods. The interview, recorded on a Friday and broadcast on a Sunday, touched on various topics, including inflation, grocery prices, government shutdowns, and foreign policy.
Trump’s False Claims on ’60 Minutes’
Grocery Prices
Trump asserted that grocery prices had decreased during his presidency, stating, “No, you’re wrong. They went up under Biden. Right now they’re going down.” This assertion contradicts the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, which indicates that grocery prices have indeed risen. Reports show an increase of approximately 0.3% since August and 2.7% since September 2024.
Inflation Misrepresentation
During the interview, Trump claimed, “We have no inflation,” as well as “We’re down to 2%, even less than 2%.” In reality, inflation was reported at 3% in September 2024, reflecting a rise in recent months. Trump’s assertions about inheriting the worst inflation rate were also misleading, as he overstated historical perspectives.
Investment Figures
Trump cited a fictional investment figure of “more than $17 trillion” in the US, despite official reports indicating that actual investment totals approximately $8.9 trillion. This figure includes various non-binding pledges from foreign entities rather than direct investments.
Tariffs and Their Impact
Consistent with his prior statements, Trump claimed that foreign nations, particularly China, bear the cost of tariffs imposed on their exports. In fact, US importers pay these tariffs and often pass the associated costs onto American consumers.
Claims Regarding Artificial Intelligence
Trump incorrectly stated that the idea of AI companies generating their own power was his concept. However, discussions regarding on-site power generation by AI companies existed before his presidency.
Military Strikes and Overdose Deaths
In response to questions about military actions against drug trafficking boats, Trump claimed that each boat could lead to 25,000 overdose deaths. With a total of around 82,000 drug-related deaths in the US reported in 2024, this claim has been labeled as both misleading and exaggerated.
Foreign Conflicts
Trump boasted about “knocking out eight wars,” although his claims do not accurately represent historical events. Many of the conflicts he mentioned are ongoing or were mischaracterized, lacking the war status he implied.
Financial Aid to Ukraine
Trump alleged that Biden allocated $350 billion to Ukraine for military aid, a figure far from the truth. Reports indicate that only about $94 billion had been disbursed as of mid-2025, indicating significant discrepancies in Trump’s statements.
Migrant Numbers and Immigration Policies
Trump exaggerated the number of migrants allowed into the country under Biden, suggesting figures as high as 25 million. In reality, recorded encounters with migrants during Biden’s presidency do not support such claims.
False Claims About Impeachment
Trump revisited claims related to his impeachment, including erroneous narratives of Democratic responses to perceived wrongdoing. His timing assertions regarding the release of recorded calls further complicate the historical context.
The Insurrection Act
Trump inaccurately stated that recent presidents invoked the Insurrection Act 28 times. Research indicates that this act has only been used historically 30 times, emphasizing the exaggeration in his claim.
Presidential Records Act
In discussing the FBI investigation into his handling of classified documents, Trump incorrectly referenced the Presidential Records Act. This law stipulates that all presidential records belong to the federal government after a president leaves office.
Conclusion
Trump’s appearance on “60 Minutes” not only revisited familiar inaccuracies but also presented new ones. As these claims circulate, they highlight the importance of verifying information against credible sources.
