President Donald Trump delivered the longest congressional address of his presidency, speaking for one hour and 47 minutes. In his speech, he declared that the United States is “winning again,” highlighting achievements on inflation, jobs, energy prices, investment, and election security.
Here’s a closer look at how those claims compare with available data.
Inflation and Grocery Prices
Trump argued that his administration’s policies are quickly lowering prices, saying previous policies were responsible for high inflation.
Recent data shows inflation stood at 2.4% in the 12 months to January 2026, compared to 3% during President Joe Biden’s final year in office. Inflation peaked at 9.1% in June 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which affected global supply chains and energy markets.
While inflation has slowed, prices are still rising overall.
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Beef prices fell slightly in the most recent month but remain 15% higher year-over-year.
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Egg prices dropped by 34% over the past year.
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Overall grocery prices increased 2.1% year-over-year.
Some economists, including analysts from Harvard University, estimate that Trump’s 2025 tariffs raised consumer price inflation by about 0.92 percentage points in January compared to what it might otherwise have been.
Gasoline Prices
Trump claimed gasoline prices are now below $2.30 per gallon in most states, with some areas at $1.99 per gallon.
However, data from the American Automobile Association (AAA) shows the national average price was $2.95 per gallon as of 24 February. The lowest statewide average was in Oklahoma at $2.37 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy, gasoline below $2 per gallon was available at only four stations nationwide out of approximately 150,000 stations.
Employment Figures
Trump said more Americans are working than ever before.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 158 million people were employed in January 2026, the highest total number on record.
However, population growth also plays a role:
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The US population exceeds 342 million, the highest ever recorded.
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The employment-to-population ratio was 59.8% in January 2026, slightly lower than 60.1% in January 2025.
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The unemployment rate rose from 4.1% in December 2024 to 4.3% in January 2026.
Foreign Investment Claims
Trump stated he secured commitments totaling more than $18 trillion in global investment within 12 months.
A White House investment tracker currently lists approximately $9.7 trillion in announced commitments. While still significant, it is far below the $18 trillion figure.
Experts caution that some of these commitments are pledges that may not fully materialize, especially amid ongoing trade tensions and tariff discussions.
Election Fraud Allegations
Trump repeated claims that cheating is “rampant” in US elections and called for stricter voter ID laws.
Available data does not support widespread voter fraud. The conservative Heritage Foundation database lists 1,620 proven cases of electoral fraud since 1982.
Additionally, research from the Brennan Center for Justice found that during the 2016 election, out of 23.5 million votes examined across 12 states, only 30 suspected cases of non-citizen voting were referred for investigation.
Studies consistently suggest that while voter fraud does occur, it is rare.
