//Trump's 2025 Congressional Address Fact-Checked: Separating Truth from Misleading Claims//
President Donald Trump delivered his first joint address to Congress since winning the 2024 presidential election. In his speech, he covered domestic policies, foreign affairs, and the economy. CBS News' fact-checking team analyzed key claims to determine their accuracy. Here’s what we found:
Claim: "Over the past four years, 21 million people poured into the United States."
Verdict: False
Trump exaggerated the number of migrants entering the U.S. from 2021 to 2024. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported nearly 11 million encounters with undocumented migrants during that period. This figure includes individuals caught crossing illegally, asylum seekers, and legal entrants through government programs. Some migrants also crossed multiple times, inflating the total number of encounters. Additionally, over 4.7 million individuals were deported or turned away. Trump's claim of 21 million is not supported by official data.
Claim: "We ended all of Biden's environmental restrictions, including his electric vehicle mandate."
Verdict: Misleading
The Biden administration never imposed a nationwide electric vehicle (EV) mandate. Instead, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced emissions standards for new vehicles starting in 2027, aimed at reducing carbon pollution. Critics argued these regulations pushed automakers toward EV production. While Trump signed an executive order revoking certain Biden-era environmental policies, there was no federal EV mandate to overturn.
Claim: "Illegal border crossings last month were the lowest ever recorded."
Verdict: Partially True
In February 2025, Border Patrol recorded approximately 8,450 apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border—the lowest since 2000. However, historical monthly data before that period is limited. While this represents a significant decline from record highs in 2023, Trump's claim of the "lowest ever recorded" lacks comprehensive historical evidence.
Claim: "We suffered the worst inflation in 48 years, perhaps in the history of our country."
Verdict: Partially True
Inflation peaked at 9% in June 2022, the highest since 1981. However, historical data shows inflation reached 14.6% in 1980, making it worse than the 2022 spike. While inflation under Biden was high, Trump's suggestion that it was the worst in U.S. history is inaccurate.
Claim: "I withdrew from the corrupt World Health Organization."
Verdict: Partially True
Trump signed an executive order to begin withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the process takes a year and is not yet complete. The administration has continued to grant exemptions for U.S. health officials to work with WHO on public health matters.
Claim: "Joe Biden let the price of eggs get out of control."
Verdict: Partially True
Egg prices soared to record levels under Biden, but the primary cause was the bird flu outbreak, which severely impacted poultry production. The Biden administration took steps to combat the outbreak, including funding biosecurity measures and considering poultry vaccinations. Trump’s claim overlooks these mitigating factors.Trump's speech included a mix of accurate statements, exaggerations, and misleading claims. While some of his points have a basis in reality, many lack full context or overstate the facts. As always, fact-checking remains essential in evaluating political rhetoric.
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