Trump’s First 100 Days: Full of Big Claims, Short on Facts
As President Donald Trump marks his return to the White House with a flashy “100 Days” campaign rally, many of his bold claims don’t hold up to scrutiny.
Throughout his speech in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and across his Twitter feed, Trump portrayed a presidency full of success. But a closer look at the facts reveals a much less flattering picture.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the major claims and the truth behind them:
1. Claim: “No administration has done more in its first 100 days.”
Reality:
This is a major exaggeration.
Trump has signed 28 laws so far, fewer than several of his recent predecessors:
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Jimmy Carter signed 22 laws in his first 100 days.
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Bill Clinton: 22
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Barack Obama: 14
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George H.W. Bush: 18
And most of Trump’s laws are minor, including naming post offices and designating commemorative days. His most ambitious goals—like repealing Obamacare or passing tax reform—have stalled in Congress.
2. Claim: “We’ve created more than 600,000 jobs already.”
Reality:
This is mostly true, but Trump can’t take all the credit.
Since Trump took office in January, the U.S. economy has added roughly 522,000 jobs, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data. But this trend is a continuation of job growth that began under Obama.
Trump also ignores that job growth has actually slowed compared to the same period last year. In the first three months of 2016, about 628,000 jobs were created.
3. Claim: “We’ve saved the Second Amendment.”
Reality:
This is vague and misleading.
The Second Amendment has not been under any serious threat, and Trump hasn’t passed any major legislation related to gun rights. His claim seems to refer to overturning an Obama-era rule that made it harder for people with mental illnesses to buy guns—a rule that affected only about 75,000 people.
4. Claim: “We’re putting coal miners back to work.”
Reality:
Coal jobs have increased slightly, but not because of Trump.
Coal jobs rose by about 1,000 positions in the first quarter of 2025. That’s modest, and experts say it’s likely due to market forces, not White House policies.
The coal industry remains in long-term decline due to competition from cheaper natural gas and renewable energy.
5. Claim: “We’ve achieved historic regulatory reform.”
Reality:
Trump has rolled back a number of Obama-era rules, but it’s not historic.
Through the Congressional Review Act, Trump and Republicans in Congress have repealed about a dozen regulations. That’s more than usual, but not unprecedented.
Moreover, these rollbacks don’t represent “reform” in the traditional sense—they simply cancel previous policies. Comprehensive reform takes more time and bipartisan effort.
6. Claim: “Our border is more secure than ever.”
Reality:
There’s been a big drop in border crossings, but it’s too early to credit Trump.
Illegal border crossings dropped by over 60% in the first few months of 2025. That’s significant, and it may reflect a “Trump effect”—deterring people through tough rhetoric and new enforcement policies.
However, experts warn that seasonal patterns and other factors play a role, and it’s unclear if the drop is sustainable.
The Verdict
Trump’s 100-day milestone is filled with dramatic claims of historic accomplishments, but many fall apart under scrutiny. His administration has seen some early wins, particularly through executive actions and deregulation, but major legislative achievements remain elusive.
As Trump continues to frame his presidency as an unprecedented success, fact-checkers, economists, and historians agree: The reality is far more complicated.
