Fact-Checking Donald Trump’s Claims During Discussion with Elon Musk on X

In a recent detailed discussion broadcast on Elon Musk’s platform X, former President Donald Trump addressed various issues while making several claims that have been subject to scrutiny. This examination reveals discrepancies in his statements regarding significant topics such as climate change, immigration, inflation, and border security.

Regarding the subject of climate change, Mr. Trump asserted, “The biggest threat is not global warming, where the ocean is going to rise one eighth of an inch over the next 400 years.” This claim has been thoroughly evaluated and deemed inaccurate. Reports from the World Meteorological Organization indicate that average global sea levels increased by approximately 4.8 millimeters annually in the decade from 2014 to 2023, significantly surpassing the predicted rise noted by Mr. Trump. The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects that by 2100, global sea levels could rise between 0.28 to 1.01 meters, with the potential for more severe increases, thereby presenting substantial risks to vulnerable communities worldwide.

On the issue of immigration, Mr. Trump claimed, “I think 20 million people have come across the border… I think millions are coming every month.” This assertion lacks substantiation and accuracy. Since January 2021, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recorded approximately 10.1 million encounters with illegal migrants, predominantly along the southern border. However, it is important to note that these figures do not necessarily reflect successful entries, as many individuals may have been turned away and some may have made multiple attempts to cross. Recent data indicates a decline in apprehensions, with the Border Patrol recording around 57,000 in July, marking a decrease from previous peaks.

In discussing the economy, Mr. Trump referenced inflation, saying, “I think we have the worst inflation we’ve had in 100 years… bacon costing four or five times more than it did a few years ago.” Contrary to this statement, the highest observed inflation rate during President Biden’s term was 9.1%, notable but significantly less than the exaggerated claim of 100 years. Furthermore, the cost of bacon has risen by 17% since Mr. Trump’s departure from office, rather than the four to five times increase he suggested. The average price for sliced bacon rose from $5.83 in January 2021 to $6.83 at present.

Finally, when discussing border security, Mr. Trump stated, “I built hundreds of miles of wall” to reinforce the southern border. While it is accurate that construction occurred, a closer examination of the figures reveals that of the 458 miles of border wall built during his administration, only 85 miles constituted completely new barriers; the remainder involved maintenance of existing installations. Following Mr. Biden’s inauguration, border wall construction was paused, although recent approvals have allowed for additional sections in Texas to address rising immigration issues.

In conclusion, while Mr. Trump’s conversation with Mr. Musk touched on vital national topics, several claims were found to be exaggerated or unfounded upon fact-checking. These assessments, based on data from reputable sources like the World Meteorological Organization and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, highlight the importance of accurate information in public discourse, particularly on critical issues affecting the nation.

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