President Donald Trump is set to deliver an address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, focusing on key changes implemented during his first six weeks in office. His speech is anticipated to cover significant topics, including the negotiations aimed at resolving the Russia-Ukraine war, cutbacks in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), scrutiny of Social Security recipients, and increased border security measures. However, several claims made by the President and his administration have been criticized for being inaccurate or misleading.
### Russia-Ukraine Conflict
During a recent Oval Office meeting, Trump reportedly reprimanded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for being “disrespectful” and halted the signing of a mineral deal deemed vital to the conflict’s resolution. The dynamic between Trump and Zelenskyy has shifted since mid-February, with Trump making unfounded allegations, labeling the Ukrainian leader a “dictator.” This friction stems partly from Trump suggesting at Mar-a-Lago in February that Ukraine initiated the conflict—a claim contradicted by the timeline of Russia’s military actions, which started with an invasion on February 24, 2022.
Vice President JD Vance added to the controversy by asserting that Zelenskyy had not expressed gratitude for U.S. support. Yet, Zelenskyy has consistently thanked the United States, as evident in a public message on social media following the meeting and a prior video extending gratitude to Trump.
### Government Spending Cutbacks
In a bid to reduce federal expenditure, Trump’s administration, along with advisor Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, has targeted USAID and the Social Security Administration for budget cuts. USAID experienced significant changes, including the closure of its Washington headquarters, while Social Security is bracing for substantial workforce reductions.
In an attempt to validate these cutbacks, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt cited instances of USAID spending that were misleading. While USAID funded a diversity project in Serbia, other arts and cultural grants were actually awarded by different State Department offices. Additionally, claims of vast sums being paid to deceased Social Security recipients are exaggerated and stem from outdated data systems rather than current administrative policies. Despite reports highlighting incorrect payments, most records of deceased individuals do not translate to ongoing payments.
### Israel-Hamas Situation
Trump announced an ambition to transform Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East,” proposing dubious plans for the displacement of its Palestinian population. Moreover, he falsely claimed to have prevented $50 million in U.S. aid from being misused to purchase condoms for Hamas. The medical organization involved clarified that no USAID funds were allocated for such purposes. Instead, the support was directed toward medical facilities serving thousands in Gaza. Financial reports corroborate that none of USAID’s family planning resources include services beyond Jordan and Yemen.
Trump’s assertions have widely been contested, as they often deviate from verified facts and statistical analyses, leading to a complicated dynamic between his administration and global entities.
