Photo credit: www.cbsnews.com
CBS News’ Confirmed team is evaluating the claims made by President Trump during his joint address to Congress, marking his first speech before both chambers since his November election win. The address included discussions about his plans for domestic and foreign policy, alongside economic issues.
Inaccurate Claim: Trump states “21 million people poured” into the U.S. under Biden
Trump: “Over the past four years, 21 million people poured into the United States.”
Analysis: The actual number of migrants who entered the U.S. during the past four years is significantly lower than the figure claimed by President Trump. Moreover, not all individuals who entered the country were granted permission to remain.
Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection indicates that there were nearly 11 million encounters with undocumented migrants from fiscal years 2021 to 2024, primarily during the Biden administration, according to official statistics.
This data encompasses individuals crossing both the southern and northern borders, whether illegally or with proper authorization, those arriving by sea, and airport arrivals, including those permitted entry under various Biden administration initiatives.
The bulk of these encounters—approximately 8.7 million—took place at the southern border. It is important to note that encounters do not equate to individual migrants, as many may attempt to cross multiple times after being turned away.
Additionally, Border Patrol estimates that around 1.7 million migrants eluded capture since fiscal year 2021. While CBP recorded unprecedented levels of migrant encounters, they do not approach the 21 million figure asserted by Trump.
Furthermore, while many migrants were processed and released to await their immigration hearings, more than 4.7 million were deported or denied entry during the same period, according to Department of Homeland Security data.
Misleading Statement: Trump claims he ended Biden’s electric vehicle mandate
Trump: “We ended all of Biden’s environmental restrictions that were making our country far less safe, and totally unaffordable. And, importantly, we ended the last administration’s insane electric vehicle mandate, saving our auto workers and companies from economic destruction.”
Analysis: Contrary to Trump’s assertion, the Biden administration did not implement an electric vehicle mandate. In March 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency introduced new pollution standards for passenger vehicles set to take effect in model year 2027, aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
Critics, particularly from the Republican Party, have described these standards as a de facto mandate, raising concerns regarding associated costs. On the first day of his second term, Trump signed an executive order intending to eliminate the “electric vehicle (EV) mandate” in favor of true consumer choice.
Partially Accurate Claim: Trump states illegal border crossings in February were “the lowest ever recorded.”
Trump: “As a result, illegal border crossings last month were by far, the lowest ever recorded. Ever.”
Analysis: Preliminary government data indicates that illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border in February during Trump’s second term reached a level not observed in over 25 years. Border Patrol reported approximately 8,450 apprehensions for that month.
This total, which may still be subject to change, represents the lowest monthly apprehensions since fiscal year 2000, the earliest year with recorded monthly data. Although comparable historical data prior to fiscal year 2000 is lacking, the last time the monthly average hovered around 8,000 apprehensions overall was fiscal year 1968.
The February figures signal a drastic reduction from recent years, during which the Biden administration saw days with over 8,000 apprehensions due to a surge in migrant crossings.
Partially True Statement: Trump claims the U.S. experienced “worst inflation in 48 years…perhaps in the history of our country”
Trump: “We suffered the worst inflation in 48 years, but perhaps even in the history of our country—they’re not sure.”
While true that inflation levels peaked in June 2022 at their highest since 1981, it does not represent the highest rate in U.S. history. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a 9% inflation reading at that time; however, this was lower than the peak inflation of 14.6% recorded in April 1980.
The high inflation period from the late 1970s to early 1980s sustained rates above 9% for two years, whereas the inflation observed under Biden, although elevated, has not reached such extremes. As of January 2025, inflation is reported at 3%.
Partially True Statement: Trump claims to have withdrawn from the World Health Organization
Trump: “I withdrew from the corrupt World Health Organization.”
Analysis: Although President Trump signed an executive order signaling the start of a year-long withdrawal from the World Health Organization, this process has not yet been finalized. Both Trump and WHO officials have indicated their willingness to negotiate U.S. membership in the agency.
Consequently, Trump administration officials have permitted U.S. health officials to engage with the WHO, such as in the response to an Ebola outbreak in Uganda. The FDA and CDC were even allowed to participate in discussions about updating the annual flu vaccine, which raised concerns regarding the implications of U.S. withdrawal on vaccine efficacy.
Partially True Statement: Trump says Biden “let the price of eggs get out of control”
Trump: “Joe Biden especially let the price of eggs get out of control—and we are working hard to get it back down.”
Analysis: Although egg prices have indeed surged to record highs during Biden’s presidency, this spike was largely attributed to the ongoing bird flu outbreak. The Biden administration has taken several measures to address this severe situation.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently detailed a new plan to combat the outbreak. While some proposals echo initiatives from the previous administration, the Biden administration is independently pursuing solutions. This includes negotiations with foreign countries to temporarily increase egg imports to the U.S., although such purchases would not involve taxpayer funding.
Some actions initially suggested by Trump officials, such as culling infected poultry flocks using a more aggressive approach, have been reconsidered. The Agriculture Department is also preparing for potential vaccinations of poultry, contingent upon overcoming significant logistical challenges.
Source
www.cbsnews.com