Trump Claims to Have Ended ‘Eight Wars,’ Reports The Independent

Former President Donald Trump raised eyebrows during a campaign event in Michigan on Thursday when he claimed he had “ended eight wars” during his administration, though he did not specify which conflicts he was referring to.

Speaking to supporters in the critical battleground state, Trump positioned himself as a peacemaker, contrasting his foreign policy record with what he described as the more interventionist approach of the Biden administration. The statement came as part of a broader critique of current U.S. foreign policy and military engagements abroad.

“When I was in office, we had peace through strength. I ended eight wars that were ongoing when I took office,” Trump told the crowd. “Under my leadership, America was respected again on the world stage.”

While Trump has frequently highlighted his administration’s efforts to reduce American military presence overseas, fact-checkers and foreign policy experts note that his claim of ending eight specific wars remains unsubstantiated. During his presidency from 2017 to 2021, the United States remained engaged in several long-running conflicts, including Afghanistan, though his administration did negotiate a withdrawal agreement with the Taliban in February 2020.

The Trump administration also reduced troop levels in Iraq and Syria, though U.S. forces remained present in both countries throughout his term. His presidency saw increased tensions with Iran following the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal and the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in January 2020.

Trump has consistently emphasized his record of not starting new wars during his tenure, a point he frequently contrasts with previous administrations. “Unlike so many before me, I kept America out of new wars and brought our troops back home,” he said during the Michigan rally.

The former president’s comments come amid growing public concern about U.S. involvement in international conflicts, particularly as the war in Ukraine continues and tensions in the Middle East have escalated following the Israel-Hamas conflict that began in October 2023.

Political analysts suggest Trump’s emphasis on his purported peace record is strategic as he campaigns for the 2024 presidential election. “Trump is tapping into war fatigue among American voters,” said Dr. Elizabeth Saunders, a professor of foreign policy at Georgetown University. “After decades of military engagements abroad, many voters are receptive to messages about reducing America’s footprint in global conflicts.”

The Biden administration has faced criticism for its handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, which ended America’s longest war but led to the Taliban’s rapid takeover of the country. President Biden has defended the withdrawal as necessary while acknowledging the chaotic nature of the exit.

Foreign policy experts point out that the historical record of the Trump presidency presents a more nuanced picture than his campaign rhetoric suggests. While Trump did pursue diplomatic engagement with North Korea and pushed NATO allies to increase defense spending, U.S. military operations continued globally during his administration.

“There’s a difference between ending wars and reducing American visibility in ongoing conflicts,” said Richard Haass, president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations. “The Trump administration did pull back from some engagements, but many conflicts continued with less direct U.S. involvement.”

Trump’s Michigan appearance underscores how foreign policy and America’s role in global conflicts will likely feature prominently in the 2024 presidential campaign. With multiple international crises unfolding simultaneously, candidates’ positions on when and how to deploy American military power remain consequential for voters.

Public opinion polling suggests Americans are increasingly wary of foreign military interventions, with a 2023 Pew Research Center survey showing 57% of Americans believe the U.S. should be less militarily engaged around the world—a sentiment Trump appears eager to leverage in his campaign messaging.

As the presidential race intensifies, Trump’s claims about his foreign policy accomplishments will likely face continued scrutiny from opponents and fact-checkers alike, even as they resonate with a significant portion of the electorate seeking America’s disengagement from foreign conflicts.