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In a scathing fact-check of President Donald Trump’s recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, CNN has identified numerous false or misleading claims about economic achievements during his administration.
The op-ed, published Friday, portrayed Trump’s tariff policies as an economic success story, with the president claiming that “spectacular economic numbers” vindicated his approach despite warnings from experts. However, CNN reporters Daniel Dale, Alicia Wallace, and Tami Luhby found multiple instances where the president used incorrect figures, cherry-picked data, or made misleading comparisons.
One of Trump’s most significant misrepresentations involved his claim of securing “more than $18 trillion” in new investment commitments to the United States. According to CNN, the White House’s own website listed the figure at $9.6 trillion—less than half the amount Trump cited. Even this lower figure represents a major exaggeration, as CNN’s previous investigation revealed the administration had counted vague pledges and statements about “bilateral trade” rather than concrete investment commitments.
The president also misrepresented growth projections from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. While Trump claimed fourth-quarter GDP growth was “projected by the Atlanta Fed to be well over 5%,” the bank’s latest estimate before his op-ed was published had already been revised downward to 4.2%.
Trump’s assertion about slashing the monthly trade deficit “by an astonishing 77%” proved particularly misleading. The dramatic reduction occurred only in October and quickly reversed in November, with the deficit jumping 95% between those two months. The November figures were released the day before Trump’s op-ed was published, raising questions about the timing and accuracy of his claims.
The analysis also noted that January 2025—the month Trump used as his starting point for comparison—had recorded the largest trade deficit in history, a situation experts widely attributed to companies rushing imports ahead of Trump’s promised tariffs. Additionally, the overall trade deficit through November 2025 was actually 4% higher than the same period in 2024.
While Trump boasted about stock market gains since “Liberation Day”—April 2, 2025, when he announced sweeping global tariffs—he failed to mention that many foreign markets significantly outperformed U.S. indexes during the same period. Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained about 47% compared to the Dow’s 17%, while South Korea’s Kospi Composite surged by approximately 98%.
The president’s claim about factory construction being “up by 42% since 2022” was similarly misleading. The increase largely occurred during 2023 under the Biden administration, following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act. Data shows factory construction actually declined by about 5% during the first ten months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
“It’s interesting Trump would take credit for something that transpired during the Biden administration,” said Anirban Basu, chief economist for Associated Builders and Contractors. Basu suggested Trump’s tariff policies were likely among the major factors behind the 2025 decline in manufacturing construction spending.
Trump’s assertions about inflation, deficit reduction, and conflict resolution also failed to withstand scrutiny. His claim of settling “eight raging conflicts” was deemed a “clear exaggeration,” with several supposed wars either not having occurred during his presidency or continuing despite peace agreements.
The fact-check highlights a consistent pattern of selective data presentation throughout the op-ed, with the president frequently choosing unusual comparison periods or omitting relevant context that would undermine his narrative of economic success.
CNN noted that while tariff increases have contributed to increased federal revenue, the Congressional Budget Office projects that deficit reduction won’t last long. The tax cuts and increased defense spending in Trump’s legislation are expected to add $4.1 trillion to the deficit over the next decade, according to CBO estimates.
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19 Comments
While I appreciate the president’s efforts to promote American investment, exaggerating figures is counterproductive. Fact-based analysis is crucial for sound economic policymaking.
Absolutely. Distorting data, even if unintentionally, can undermine public trust and lead to poor decisions. Objective reporting is essential.
This op-ed seems to be another example of the president’s tendency to make questionable economic claims. Rigorous fact-checking is crucial to hold leaders accountable.
While I appreciate the president’s efforts to promote American investment, it’s important that he provides accurate information to the public. Fact-based analysis is crucial for sound economic policymaking.
Absolutely. Distorting data, even unintentionally, can undermine public trust and lead to poor decisions. Objective reporting and fact-checking are essential.
While economic progress is important, it’s critical that the public receive truthful information. Fact-checking efforts like this help ensure transparency and accountability.
Agreed. Distorting economic data, even if unintentionally, can have real consequences for policymaking and public trust. Accurate information should be the priority.
It’s concerning to see the president making inaccurate claims about economic achievements. Fact-checking is necessary to hold leaders accountable and provide the public with reliable information.
I agree. Transparency and honesty should be the top priorities, especially on issues that can have a significant impact on people’s lives and the economy.
Trump certainly has a track record of making questionable economic claims. Fact-checking is important to hold leaders accountable and provide the public with accurate information.
Agreed. It’s concerning when political figures distort data or statistics for their own benefit. Transparency and honesty should be the priority.
I appreciate the president’s efforts to promote American investment, but exaggerating figures and making misleading claims is counterproductive. Fact-based analysis is crucial.
You’re absolutely right. Objective reporting and fact-checking are essential to ensuring the public has accurate information and can make informed decisions.
I’m not surprised to see inaccuracies in this op-ed. Trump often cherry-picks data and uses misleading comparisons to portray his policies in a more positive light.
You’re right. It’s important to scrutinize claims made by public figures, especially on economic issues that can have a real impact on people’s lives.
It’s concerning to see the president making misleading claims about economic achievements. Fact-checking is necessary to ensure the public has accurate information.
I agree. Responsible leadership requires acknowledging both successes and challenges, not selectively presenting data to paint an overly rosy picture.
It’s concerning to see the president making misleading claims about economic achievements. Rigorous fact-checking is necessary to hold leaders accountable and ensure the public has accurate information.
I agree. Responsible leadership requires acknowledging both successes and challenges, not selectively presenting data to paint an overly positive picture.