Fact-Checking 6 of Trump’s Claims During State of the Union

From The Daily Signal.com (Jan. 30):

In his first State of the Union speech, President Donald Trump made quite a few claims and assertions, and we’ve examined six of them.

Statement  1: “Our massive tax cuts provide tremendous relief for the middle class and small businesses. … A typical family of four making $75,000 will see their tax bill reduced by $2,000—slashing their tax bill in half.”

The facts: A Heritage Foundation analysis estimate found that the tax bill for a married couple who are homeowners with three children earning $75,000 in annual income would “decline by $2,014, or 115 percent, to $0, plus a refundable credit of $261.”

Statement 2: “We built the Empire State Building in just one year—is it not a disgrace that it can now take 10 years just to get a permit approved for a simple road?”

The facts: Empire State Realty Trust states that “construction of the building took only one year and 45 days from the setting of the tower’s first steel columns on April 7, 1930, to the completed building by March 31, 1931—a full month before the official opening ceremonies.”

…………….

Statement 6: “I am proud to report that the coalition to defeat ISIS has liberated almost 100 percent of the territory once held by these killers in Iraq and Syria.”

The facts: The Pentagon said Islamic State fighters have been cleared from 98 percent of the territory they held in Iraq and Syria at their high point in 2014 and 2015, according to USA Today. The newspaper also reported that “Only about 3,000 militants are left in Iraq and Syria, down from a peak of more than 25,000 in 2014 and 2015, according to recent U.S. military estimates.”  [read more]

Overall the President told the truth. President Trump actually understated the effect of the tax cuts. Presidents usually overestimate the effects of Congressional legislation.

Good to hear that the Islamic State thugs are getting their butts kicked. Glad he mentioned that in the State of the Union. Then again he did change the rules of engagement and let our troops do what they do best.