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In a detailed “60 Minutes” interview aired Sunday, President Donald Trump made at least 18 false or misleading claims on topics ranging from the economy to immigration and foreign policy, according to a CNN fact-check.
The 90-minute interview with CBS’s Norah O’Donnell, of which about 28 minutes was broadcast, featured Trump repeating numerous debunked assertions despite being challenged on several points.
On economic matters, Trump insisted grocery prices “are going down” even after O’Donnell noted Americans have seen rising costs. Government data contradicts this claim, with Consumer Price Index figures showing grocery prices increased approximately 0.3% since August, 2.7% year-over-year, and 1.4% since January when Trump took office. All six major grocery categories tracked by the government showed year-over-year price increases.
Trump also claimed there is “no inflation” or that it’s “down to 2%, even less than 2%.” Official data shows inflation at 3% in September, up from 2.9% in August, and nearly identical to the rate he inherited when taking office in January.
The president’s claim of “$17 trillion being invested in the United States right now” significantly exceeds even his administration’s own figures. The White House website lists “major investment announcements” at $8.9 trillion, and a CNN review found this included vague pledges about “bilateral trade” rather than actual investments.
On foreign policy, Trump made sweeping claims about ending “eight wars” during his presidency. Analysis shows this figure is exaggerated, as some conflicts on his list—such as a supposed war between Egypt and Ethiopia—were diplomatic disputes rather than actual armed conflicts. Others, like the conflict involving the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, continue despite peace agreements.
Trump’s assertion that “every one of those boats” targeted in recent Caribbean military operations “kills 25,000 Americans” was called “absurd” by public health expert Carl Latkin of Johns Hopkins University. The claim suggests the recent strikes on 16 boats prevented more than four years’ worth of American overdose deaths, as the total annual U.S. overdose deaths from all drugs in 2024 was approximately 82,000.
Regarding immigration, Trump falsely stated Democrats want “$1.5 trillion so that they can give welfare to people that came into our country illegally.” Democrats are primarily proposing to reverse cuts to Medicaid and extend enhanced Obamacare subsidies—programs for which undocumented immigrants are ineligible.
Trump repeated unsubstantiated claims that foreign countries, specifically naming Venezuela, are emptying their prisons and sending inmates to the U.S. Experts on international prison policy have found no evidence supporting these assertions.
The president also continued to claim the 2020 election “was rigged and stolen,” despite overwhelming evidence that he legitimately lost a free and fair election to Joe Biden.
When questioned about recent indictments of his critics—former FBI Director James Comey, former national security adviser John Bolton, and New York Attorney General Letitia James—Trump denied directing the Justice Department to pursue them. However, he previously posted publicly that Comey and James are “all guilty as hell” and that “JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”
The extensive interview, which CBS made available as a full transcript and 73-minute video online, represents one of Trump’s most wide-ranging media appearances since returning to office, showcasing his continued reliance on claims that fact-checkers have repeatedly debunked.
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6 Comments
The economic claims about grocery prices and inflation seem to be at odds with the government data cited. I’d like to know more about the president’s reasoning behind these statements.
You’re right, the official statistics contradict the president’s assertions. It’s important for the public to have access to reliable, impartial information on the economy.
While I appreciate the president’s enthusiasm for investment in the US, the $17 trillion figure does seem quite exaggerated. I wonder where that statistic comes from and how it was calculated.
Fact-checking is essential to ensure the public has an accurate understanding of the economic situation. Unsubstantiated claims, even from the president, should be scrutinized.
Interesting to see the president make so many false claims during the 60 Minutes interview. I wonder how the public will react to this level of misinformation from the White House.
It’s concerning when leaders spread inaccurate information, even when challenged. Fact-checking is crucial to hold public figures accountable.