Fact-checkers challenge Trump’s ‘eight wars’ claim, back him on crime

By Fox News · Fox News

Fact-checkers delivered a mixed verdict on President Donald Trump ’s State of the Union address, backing some immigration and crime claims while disputing others on voter fraud, Medicaid and foreign conflicts. Reviews from PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, The New York Times and others found that Trump’s assertion that "zero illegal aliens" were admitted into the country was an accurate characterization even though illegal crossings have continued at low levels. The fact-checkers also confirmed his claim that the national murder rate is at a historic low but labeled his statements about "rampant" voter fraud, Medicaid and the number of wars he ended as misleading. The fact-checks underscored how Trump’s address was a blend of verifiable points and broader claims that grabbed headlines but could be misleading to voters, who Trump is hoping will keep Republicans in power in Congress as he stares down a tough 2026 midterm election cycle. When Trump said Tuesday that "zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States," he was referencing U.S. Border Patrol detaining or deporting migrants attempting to enter the country illegally or by using asylum claims, rather than following the Biden administration's protocol and releasing them into the country. Fact-checkers acknowledged the reversal in illegal immigration policies under Trump. They pointed out that illegal border crossings are still happening, but at a far lower pace. TRUMP GETS HIGH MARKS FROM REPUBLICANS WHEN TICKING OFF ECONOMIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS "Encounters with people trying to illegally cross the U.S. southern border have dropped significantly during Trump’s second term," PolitiFact noted, adding that authorities encountered about 10,000 migrants in January compared to more than 60,000 in January 2025. Trump's comments about illegal immigrants committing crimes were more disputed, fact-checkers found, noting that the Department of Homeland Security’s figures did not reflect that the Biden administration all…