On Tuesday, March 4, President Donald Trump spoke at the joint session of the United States Congress at the Capitol, discussing topics such as tariffs, Greenland and the Panama Canal. His speech included many statements that were later fact-checked.
A joint session of the United States Congress brings together members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This session serves as an opportunity for the legislative branch to hear directly from the president. It allows members to listen firsthand to the president’s priorities and publicly discuss policies.
Trump opened his speech with a strong message, stating,”America is back.”
This was a phrase used by former President Joe Biden at the start of his term.
“It was, ironically, a line also delivered by Joe Biden at the beginning of the Democrat’s term in office following Trump’s first four years,” according to NPR reporter Domenico Montanaro.
The day that Trump gave his speech, he imposed 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Trump defended them, saying they are saving the ¨soul¨ of the country.
”Other countries have imposed tariffs on the United States,” Trump said in an article from NBC news, “Now it’s our turn.”
Trump acknowledged the support from Republicans on tariffs but admitted there may be some disruption. He downplayed the impact, stating it wouldn’t be significant. Meanwhile, some Democrats criticized the tariffs’ negative effects on the stock market.
Trump also further promoted the idea of the U.S. acquiring Greenland, stating that the U.S would welcome the people of Greenland if they choose to join the country.
”And I also have a message tonight for the incredible people of Greenland,” Trump said in an article from Fox News. “We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America.”
Trump also promised Greenland that the U.S. would provide security and prosperity.
“We will keep you safe,” Trump said. “We will make you rich. And together we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before.”
Trump also mentioned a desire to retake control of the Panama Canal. The Canal, a shipping waterway connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, is important for national security, according to Trump.
“It was built by Americans for Americans, not for the others,” Trump said in an article from The Washington Post. “We didn’t give it to China; we gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back,” Trump said.
During this speech, several news outlets conducted live fact-checking on statements made by Trump.
One thing Trump lied about is saying Biden let the prices of eggs get out of control and they’re working on getting it down.
”Though egg prices did increase under President Joe Biden, they have recently surged under Trump too — and that’s because of bird flu, which has led to the deaths of 136 million birds since 2022, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation,” according to ABC News reporter Riley Hoffman.
Trump claimed the U.S spent 350 billion supporting Ukraine.
”According to the special inspector general responsible for overseeing the spending related to the war in Ukraine, Congress has appropriated or otherwise made available $182.75 billion for the overall U.S. response to the war since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022,” according to Hoffman.
