CNN's lead fact-checker, Daniel Dale, delivered a point-by-point rebuttal on Thursday to a series of inaccurate statements made by former President Donald Trump during a recent national address from the White House. Dale did not hold back during his appearance on "News Central," stating he could list falsehoods from the speech at length.
A Litany of Inaccurate Economic Claims
When asked by host Kate Bolduan what he observed in Trump's Wednesday speech, Dale was direct. "I saw a whole bunch of false claims," he stated. The segment then played a clip where Trump asserted inflation "was the worst in 48 years" when he took office, that he had slashed drug prices by up to 600%, that "everything else is falling rapidly," and that "inflation is stopped."
Dale methodically dismantled each point. "None of that is true," he said. He clarified that inflation has not stopped, noting the year-over-year rate for September was 3.0%, marking the fifth consecutive monthly increase. While acknowledging the November rate, released later that Thursday, had decreased to 2.7%, Dale emphasized this only means prices are rising less rapidly, not that they have ceased increasing altogether.
He also corrected the claim about inheriting historic inflation. The 3% rate Trump encountered in January was identical to the rate from the previous September, and while inflation hit a 40-year peak under President Joe Biden in June 2022, it was not an all-time high.
Examining Specific Price and Drug Cost Assertions
Dale then addressed Trump's comments on grocery and drug prices. While agreeing egg prices have fallen, he countered the claim that "everything else is falling rapidly" is "not even close to true" for grocery items. He cited significant price increases since January: coffee up 15%, ground beef up around 14%, and bananas up about 8%. "I could go on and on. Literally, dozens of items. Not true," Dale added.
The fact-checker was particularly sharp on the claim of reducing drug costs by up to 600%. "Those numbers aren't even mathematically possible," Dale explained. "If you have a decrease of more than 100%, that means that Americans would be getting paid to acquire their medications. Obviously, that is not happening." He noted this was not the first time he has had to correct such implausible figures from Trump.
Falsehoods Extend Beyond Domestic Policy
Dale revealed that the economic misstatements were just part of the story. In a separate appearance Wednesday on "The Source with Kaitlan Collins," he also challenged Trump's assertion that he "settled eight wars" this year.
"President Trump has not settled eight wars," Dale told Collins. He clarified that the list referenced by Trump included situations that were not active wars and conflicts that remain unresolved. "I could go on. I don't have time," Dale concluded, indicating the breadth of inaccuracies.
The diligent journalist finished by noting his complete analysis would be available in an online article for further examination.
