big, beautiful lies?
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Opinion By Ben Everidge for Thomas
campaigning in poetry, governing in fiction …
Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” of $900 billion in tax cuts, which the House GOP unveiled on May 13th, was all campaign rhetoric and no reality.
Why?
The promised no payroll tax on tips proved false. It’s not in the “big, beautiful bill.”
The promised no payroll tax on overtime proved false. It’s not in the “big, beautiful bill.”
The promised exemption from payroll tax on overtime proved false. It’s not in the “big, beautiful bill.”
The promised no tax on Social Security benefits proved false. It’s not in the “big, beautiful bill.”
Medicaid coverage for nursing homes and emergency room services will be eliminated. That’s new.
Low-income Americans will now have to pay every time they visit the doctor. That’s new.
Subsidies for affordable healthcare for millions of Americans will be cut. That’s new.
Healthcare costs will be shifted from the federal government to the states, but states will not be able to cover the gap which means Americans will lose their healthcare. That’s new.
If a politician will tell falsehoods a documented 30,000-plus times, are you really surprised that President Trump, with the help of his fellow MAGA Republicans in Congress, might do the same with these promises as well?
Let’s just take a little reminder tour of the whopper falsehoods Mr. Trump has offered up to the American people from 2015 to 2025.
Major Falsehoods and Misleading Claims by Donald Trump (2015–2025)
1. Mexico Will Pay for the Wall
Trump’s Claim: "Mexico will pay for the wall."
The Reality: No direct or indirect payment was made by Mexico. U.S. taxpayers funded the portions of the border wall that were built, primarily through reallocated Pentagon funds. Now this “big, beautiful bill” will pay billions more but with no contribution from Mexico.
The Result: A central 2016 campaign promise proven false by 2020.
2. The 2020 Election Was Stolen
Trump’s Claim: "We won the 2020 election. It was a rigged election."
The Reality: Courts, election officials in all 50 states, and Trump's own U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and many senior advisors, confirmed the election was secure. No widespread fraud was found.
The Result: This lie fueled the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection and remains a foundation of the "Stop the Steal" movement.
3. COVID-19 Will Just 'Disappear'
Trump’s Claim: In March of 2020, Mr. Trump was saying,"It’s going to disappear. One day — it’s like a miracle — it will disappear."
The Reality: Over one million Americans died from COVID-19. Trump downplayed its severity early despite recorded evidence he knew the virus was airborne and deadly.
The Result: Delayed national response, public confusion, and politicized public health.
4. Social Security Will Not Be Touched or Taxed
Trump’s Claim: "I will protect your Social Security. Democrats want to destroy it."
The Reality: Trump repeatedly proposed budgets that included cuts to Social Security Disability Insurance and discussed eliminating the payroll tax, which funds Social Security.
The Result: This misleading claim was used to court older voters while undermining funding mechanisms.
5. Tariffs Make America Richer
Trump’s Claim: "Tariffs are making us a fortune. China is paying us billions."
The Reality: Tariffs are paid by U.S. importers, not China. Independent analysis shows U.S. consumers bore the cost, and U.S. farmers were hurt by retaliatory tariffs, requiring a $28B bailout.
The Result: Economic strain on consumers and exporters, especially in agriculture.
6. The Largest Tax Cut in U.S. History
Trump’s Claim: "We passed the biggest tax cut in American history."
The Reality: The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ranks well behind several past tax cuts such as Ronald Reagan’s in 1981, Barack Obama’s in 2010, and even Harry Truman’s in 1945.
The Result: The majority of permanent benefits favored corporations and high earners.
7. He Signed the Veterans Choice Act
Trump’s Claim: "I got Veterans Choice passed. It was a big deal."
The Reality: False. President Obama signed the Veterans Choice Act into law in 2014.
The Result: A much repeated false claim was made to boost veteran support.
8. He Rebuilt the Military
Trump’s Claim: "We had no ammunition. I rebuilt the entire military."
The Reality: The U.S. military never ran out of ammunition. Defense spending increased under Trump, but claims of complete depletion were false.
The Result: The President mischaracterized military readiness for political gain.
9. He Passed a Health Plan to Replace Obamacare
Trump’s Claim: "We’re replacing Obamacare with something far better."
The Reality: Trump never released or passed a full health plan. Multiple repeal attempts failed; the ACA remains in place.
The Result: This broken campaign promise was used to mislead voters on health care reform.
10. The U.S. Had the Best Economy Ever Before COVID
Trump’s Claim: "We had the greatest economy in the history of the world."
The Reality: Pre-pandemic growth under Trump was comparable to Obama’s second term. Unemployment was low, but GDP growth and wage growth were not historically unprecedented.
The Result: Economic achievements were highly exaggerated for political gain.
11. The January 6th Attack Was Peaceful or a 'Love Fest'
Trump’s Claim: "It was a peaceful protest. The people were hugging and kissing the police."
The Reality: Capitol Police officers were injured, one died the next day, and over 140 officers were assaulted. Thousands broke into the Capitol. Many were convicted of felonies and then pardoned by Trump 47.
The Result: Denial of political violence is continuing to undermine democratic institutions.
12. He Declassified Documents Automatically
Trump’s Claim: "As president, I can declassify documents just by thinking about it."
The Reality: No legal basis exists for mental declassification without formal procedures. He faced federal charges related to mishandling classified documents but held off conviction by being elected President again.
The Result: National security consequences.
13. Crime Rates Were Highest Under Biden
Trump’s Claim: "Crime is through the roof under Biden."
The Reality: Violent crime peaked in 2020 under Trump and fell significantly in 2022 and 2023, according to FBI data.
The Result: Misrepresentation of crime is being used to stir public fear for political gain.
14. Climate Change Is a Hoax
Trump’s Claim: "The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese."
The Reality: Over 97% of climate scientists agree that climate change is real and human-caused. Trump rolled back numerous environmental regulations.
The Result: U.S. leadership in global climate policy has been undermined.
“A democracy cannot function without trust. And trust cannot exist without the truth.”
The list of whoppers above is a fact-based list of significant, documented false or misleading claims made by Donald J. Trump during his two White House administrations from 2017 to 2021 and now again in 2025 and three presidential campaigns in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Moreover, this list focuses on substantive political falsehoods that had or have national or global policy implications, rather than hyperbole or exaggeration common in political rhetoric.
Why Presidential Truth Matters
Presidential honesty - especially with Congress, the media, and the American public - is vital to preserving American democracy. So, why does the truth from the president matter to American democracy?
1. Truth Builds Public Trust in Government
A democracy depends on the consent and confidence of the governed.
When a president tells the truth, people are more likely to trust government decisions and institutions.
Lies erode public faith and make citizens cynical, detached, or hostile - conditions that threaten the democratic fabric.
2. Congress Cannot Provide Checks and Balances Without Truth
The legislative branch holds the executive accountable through oversight and lawmaking.
If the president lies or hides information, Congress can't respond appropriately, undermining the constitutional separation of powers.
Truthful communication is essential for collaboration between branches in a functioning republic.
3. Media Integrity Relies on Honest Government Communication
A free press is a pillar of democracy. It must have access to facts to report accurately.
If a president floods the public square with disinformation, it becomes harder for citizens to discern reality, paving the way for propaganda and manipulation.
Truth combats “alternative facts” and preserves the public’s ability to make informed decisions.
4. National Security and Public Safety Are at Risk Without Truth
In moments of crisis, such as pandemics, wars, or natural disasters, the truth saves lives.
A dishonest president may withhold warnings or mislead the public, which can delay critical responses and cause widespread harm.
Integrity at the top is non-negotiable when lives and livelihoods are on the line.
5. The President Sets a Moral Example for the Nation
The White House is more than a seat of power; it is a symbol of American character.
A dishonest leader normalizes dishonesty across government and society.
A truthful president helps cultivate a culture of integrity, responsibility, and civic virtue.
6. Lies Divide the Nation and Enable Extremism
Falsehoods about elections, immigration, or institutions can inflame tribalism, radicalize groups, and provoke violence.
Democracy depends on a shared reality. Lies tear at that consensus and pit Americans against each other.
Truthful leadership is a tool for national unity.
7. Policy Built on Lies Leads to Failure
Public policy must be grounded in facts to solve real problems, whether climate change, healthcare, or economic inequality.
Lies distort priorities, waste taxpayer dollars, and fail to address the nation’s needs.
Honest presidents govern better and produce more effective, evidence-based results.
8. “Democracy Dies in Darkness,” Transparency Is Patriotic
Secret agendas and deliberate deceptions are traits of authoritarian regimes.
A transparent presidency honors American principles and ensures accountability to the people.
Telling the truth, even when it’s difficult, is not a weakness. It’s a form of patriotic courage.
Let’s face it: we’ve allowed too many politicians in America to lie to us - again and again - by people who campaign in poetry and govern in fiction.
A democracy cannot function without trust. And trust cannot exist without the truth.
We are living in a time when dishonesty is not only common in politics - it’s been weaponized.
Over the course of his presidency and campaigns, Donald Trump told over 30,000 documented falsehoods to the American people. That’s not just a statistic, it’s a warning.
Because when presidents lie to Congress, to the media, and to the people they serve, they do more than distort facts.
They erode the foundation of the republic itself.
A president’s job is not to manipulate public opinion.
It’s to speak truth, even when it’s hard, because that truth protects our freedoms, informs our decisions, and honors our Constitution.
Truth in leadership is not a slogan. It is a standard.
It means leveling with the public during crises.
It means respecting Congress as a co-equal branch, not hiding facts or spinning fairy tales.
It means honoring the press’s role to inform. Not attack.
And it means never using lies to divide Americans for political gain.
We cannot solve problems like inflation, immigration, or climate instability with lies. We cannot heal our divides, protect our freedoms, or defend democracy with conspiracy theories and cults of personality.
Truth is not partisan.
It’s patriotic.
And if we want to rebuild America, if we want to “Make America Great Again,” we must start with the truth.