Category: Not Factual

How Did DOGE Disrupt So Much While Saving So Little? – The New York Times

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency claimed to have made over 29,000 federal cuts and slashed billion-dollar contracts, yet federal spending increased rather than decreased under DOGE’s oversight. The group failed to achieve its stated goal of reducing federal spending by $1 trillion before October, contradicting Musk’s core promises about the agency’s mission.

A New York Times analysis of hundreds of federal records found that 28 of DOGE’s top 40 largest savings claims were inaccurate, with the 13 largest claims all proven wrong. Two Defense Department contracts—one for information technology and one for aircraft maintenance—were listed as terminated with claimed savings of $7.9 billion, but both contracts remain active and the savings were fabricated. A U.S.A.I.D. contract with Accenture showed DOGE claiming $312 million in savings by reducing the contract ceiling, despite actual spending patterns making that figure implausible by the original 2033 end date.

Beyond inflated major claims, the overwhelming majority of DOGE’s cuts involved minimal amounts, with 80 percent of contract and grant cancellations claiming savings of $1 million or less. Of approximately 29,000 total cuts reported, 8,611 claimed zero savings, while only 11 claimed savings exceeding $1 billion, demonstrating that DOGE’s disruption of federal operations produced negligible fiscal results.

The analysis demonstrates that DOGE’s extensive disruption of federal programs, grants to small businesses, and foreign aid functioned without corresponding budget reductions. NASA workforce cuts exceeded 20 percent and misinformation campaigns targeted the Social Security Administration, yet these actions produced neither the promised savings nor policy improvements. DOGE’s track record reveals systematic exaggeration masking a failure to deliver on its central mission.

(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/us/politics/doge-musk-trump-analysis.html)

Trump Rages Over the Stock Market’s ‘TRUMP RULE’

President Trump attributed positive economic data to his tariff policies while simultaneously blaming the Federal Reserve and “Wall Street heads” for failing to celebrate economic growth with corresponding stock market gains. The Commerce Department reported fourth-quarter GDP growth of 4.3%, exceeding economist forecasts of 3.2%, yet Trump characterized this as evidence of a broken market system he labeled “The Trump Rule,” where good news triggers market stagnation or decline due to trader concerns about potential interest rate increases.

Trump demanded the next Federal Reserve Chair lower rates during periods of market strength and stated anyone disagreeing with this position would be disqualified from the role, targeting incumbent Jerome Powell by name. He claimed the current Fed structure prevents economic greatness and prevents the nation from achieving GDP gains of “10, 15, and even 20 points in a year.” His demands directly contradict the Federal Reserve’s statutory independence from presidential direction in setting monetary policy.

Trump’s public grievance contradicts standard economic principles: markets respond to inflation expectations, and Fed rate decisions reflect data rather than political pressure. His characterization of Federal Reserve officials as “eggheads” and his assertion that the market “should” rise on good news and fall on bad news disregards the complex relationship between growth, inflation, and monetary policy that shapes investor behavior.

Trump’s stated intention to replace Powell and reshape the Federal Reserve’s leadership around personal economic preferences represents an effort to subordinate an independent institution to presidential demands. This pressure campaign directly undermines the structural autonomy the Federal Reserve requires to manage inflation without regard to short-term political consequences or equity market performance.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump/trump-rages-over-the-stock-markets-trump-rule-amid-good-economic-news/)

‘We have to do something about it!’: Trump unleashes bizarre underwear rant at rally

President Donald Trump delivered a rally speech in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on Friday, during which he continued promoting the false claim that the 2020 election was “rigged” and attacked the 2022 FBI search of his Mar-a-Lago resort. Trump spent an extended portion of his remarks describing in detail how FBI agents allegedly disturbed First Lady Melania Trump’s underwear drawer during the search, claiming her undergarments were “folded perfect, wrapped” and “steamed” before agents left them “a mess” and “all over the place.”

Trump characterized the FBI search as an attack by “thugs” and stated “We have all the evidence now. We have to do something about it! It’s illegal, and it’s disgusting.” He offered no substantiation for claims that agents intentionally disarranged his wife’s belongings or that the search itself was unlawful. The 2022 search was conducted pursuant to a court-authorized warrant related to classified documents removed from the White House.

The speech, which extended nearly 90 minutes, saw rallygoers begin departing after the one-hour mark, with attendees visible on live feeds leaving the stage as Trump continued speaking. Trump asserted without evidence that “If I didn’t get elected, our country would be ruined” and declared the United States is currently “the greatest country in the world” and “the hottest.”

Trump’s focus on the intimate details of his wife’s clothing storage reflects a pattern of digressing into grievances unrelated to policy or governance. His repeated promotion of the debunked stolen election narrative, combined with the fixation on personal complaints about the lawful FBI search, demonstrates a continued absence of substantive messaging.

(Source: https://www.rawstory.com/you-have-not-heard-the-last-of-that-trump-revisits-old-claims-in-rambling-rally-speech/)

Trump’s $1,776 Warrior Dividends Not from Tariffs

President Trump announced $1,776 “warrior dividend” checks for 1.45 million service members before Christmas, claiming the funds originated from tariff revenue. Defense One reported the next day that the money actually derives from Congressional appropriations under the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, specifically from the Basic Allowance for Housing entitlement meant to subsidize off-base housing costs including rent, mortgage, and utilities.

Congress allocated $2.9 billion to the Defense Department for housing supplements, with $2.6 billion designated as a one-time payment to approximately 1.28 million active-duty and 174,000 Reserve component service members ranked O-6 and below. PBS NewsHour’s Lisa Desjardins confirmed the funding source is not tariff revenue and noted the assistance was originally intended to span two years before the Pentagon redirected it into this single payment.

Budget analyst Jessica Riedl from the Brookings Institution criticized the action as “gimmicky” and “likely illegal,” stating the administration announced troop bonuses while quietly extracting funds from housing allowance accounts. The maneuver accomplishes no net increase in military compensation; it reallocates existing housing assistance into a headline-grabbing payment announced with misleading attribution to tariffs.

The administration’s tax-exemption claim may be accurate since supplemental housing allowances have received favorable tax treatment under a 1925 court ruling and 1986 legislation. However, the budgetary mechanism remains deceptive—the funds were never surplus tariff proceeds but pre-existing Congressional appropriations redirected from their original two-year housing support purpose.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump/the-1776-checks-for-troops-trump-claimed-were-because-of-tariffs-are-actually-congressionally-allocated-housing-allowances/)

Trump administration to dismantle National Center for Atmospheric Research – The Washington Post

The Trump administration announced plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), a leading Colorado-based institution for Earth and atmospheric science research. The administration cited concerns about “climate alarmism” as justification for the closure, marking a direct attack on scientific infrastructure studying climate change and global warming.

NCAR conducts fundamental research on atmospheric systems, weather patterns, and climate dynamics that informs policy decisions and public understanding of environmental trends. The facility’s dismantling would eliminate a major hub for peer-reviewed climate science and eliminate institutional capacity for atmospheric monitoring and modeling.

The timing of the announcement coincides with the Trump administration’s escalating attacks against Colorado’s Democratic elected officials, suggesting the action serves political retaliation rather than policy rationale. The closure exemplifies broader efforts to suppress climate research and defund institutions that contradict the administration’s anti-science agenda.

Dismantling NCAR removes independent scientific capacity to document climate trends and threatens the nation’s ability to understand atmospheric processes essential for weather forecasting, disaster preparedness, and environmental protection. The action prioritizes ideological opposition to climate science over institutional preservation and research continuity.

(Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/12/17/trump-national-center-atmospheric-research-climate/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_source=bluesky,facebook,threads,twitter&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwdGRleAOvnWdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeSeCCzP2GCweingyC6zHt-V11mfgLSKuNB2sgNbWmaoOWd_KCTuFzIlRXu84_aem_3ZrxZA21Dd1nEtiQyoDcjw)

Fact-checking Trump’s presidential address claim he’s brought gas, grocery prices down – ABC News

During his Wednesday evening presidential address from the White House’s Diplomatic Room, Trump claimed his administration is rapidly reducing prices across gasoline, groceries, airfare, and hotel rates, stating “I am bringing those high prices down and bringing them down very fast.” He attributed prior increases to Biden’s administration, citing rises of 30–50% in gas, 37% in hotels, and 31% in airfare, then asserted that all categories are now “coming down and coming down fast.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Trump’s gasoline claims are partially misleading. While gas prices did peak at $5.016 per gallon in June 2022 under Biden and have since fallen to $2.998—representing roughly a 50% decrease from that peak—year-over-year comparison from September 2024 to September 2025 shows only a 0.5% decline. Trump’s Cabinet meeting presentations also contained previously debunked false statements about grocery and prescription drug prices, demonstrating a pattern of exaggeration on economic data.

Trump claimed egg prices dropped 82% since March; BLS data confirms a 43% decrease from the March all-time high of $6.23 to $3.49 in September, accounting for avian flu impacts. However, he omitted critical context: overall meat prices surged 8.5% year-over-year, beef prices hit record highs with a 14.7% increase, and coffee prices rose 18.9%—partly due to tariffs Trump imposed on coffee-producing nations like Brazil.

Airfare and hotel claims also diverge from BLS records. Airline fares increased 3.2% in September 2025 compared to September 2024, contradicting Trump’s assertion of declining airfares. Hotel rates fell 0.8% and car rentals dropped 5.0% over the past year, modest declines compared to Trump’s narrative of rapid reductions across all sectors.

Trump’s recent repeal of tariffs on beef, coffee, and tropical fruits signals an attempt to retroactively address price inflation caused by his own trade policies. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is releasing updated consumer price data Thursday, providing verification against the president’s claims made during the address.

(Source: https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/fact-checking-trumps-presidential-address-claim-brought-gas/story?id=128506721)

Trump Spread False Information About Brown Shooting. That’s a Problem | The New Republic

Donald Trump’s reckless dissemination of unverified information regarding a shooting incident at Brown University has rightfully drawn fierce criticism. During this highly tense situation, Trump prematurely declared the suspect as captured, creating potential danger for students sheltering on campus. Despite police advisories indicating an active situation, Trump’s irresponsible social media display added chaos and confusion.

As the ordeal unfolded, Trump’s assertions were quickly contradicted by official sources, exposing his carelessness. His hasty statement claiming the shooter was detained was retracted only minutes later, an action that has been condemned for spreading insecurity among the already terrified students. Providence’s Mayor emphasized relying on official channels for accurate information, a direct refutation of Trump’s baseless announcements.

This incident is illustrative of Trump’s habitual disregard for the truth and his alarming tendency to spread misinformation. Consequences of his actions are more than just errors; they embody serious risks, particularly in volatile situations where accurate information is critical for public safety. Trump’s volatile online rants contribute significantly to spreading misinformation, jeopardizing people’s safety, and reflect poorly on his leadership.

Criticism also extends to Trump’s divisive rhetoric which inflames tensions and incites threats against many, including his political allies. His continuous intimidating social media uses have been linked to numerous threats against both Democratic and Republican officials, illustrating the dangerous consequences of his inflammatory behavior.

Overall, Trump’s irresponsible actions and statements serve as a shining example of his continued disregard for authenticity and safety. His habit of hastily spreading false information endangers public safety and reflects the broader dangers of an administration marked by misinformation and chaos. Trump’s behavior in tense circumstances as shown here underscores his unsuitability for leadership.

(Source: https://newrepublic.com/post/204391/trump-brown-university-rhode-island-shooting)

Trump Claims He’s Finding Money That Doesn’t Exist

President Donald Trump recently claimed that his administration is discovering previously unseen money, particularly from tariffs, during a bizarre press interaction. When asked about renegotiating the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Trump misrepresented the expiration date, incorrectly stating that it would end in a year; in fact, it remains valid until 2036.

Trump went on to make unfounded assertions about “finding money” through tariffs he imposed, referencing an imaginary $30 billion that he claimed came from the “tariff shelf.” This chaotic narrative included Trump suggesting that officials confirmed to him that the tariffs were unexpectedly generating revenue, even though they were reportedly set to commence later.

The president expressed his hope that the Supreme Court would uphold the legality of his tariffs, despite skepticism from several justices regarding the extent of the president’s unilateral authority to impose them. Dismissing those who challenge his tariff policies, Trump labeled them as “bad people,” showcasing his typical incendiary rhetoric.

These comments reflect Trump’s continuing trend of misleading statements regarding economic policies and their implications, raising questions about the veracity of his claims amid increasing scrutiny of his administration’s economic practices.

As political observers note, Trump’s attempts to paint a rosy economic picture are at odds with the realities of national debt and the complex nature of trade agreements, further emphasizing the need for accountable governance.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/trump-bizarrely-claims-his-administration-is-finding-money-that-nobody-realized-ever-existed/)

Noem Urges Trump for Nationwide Travel Ban on Immigrants

Kristi Noem, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, pressed President Donald Trump to implement a comprehensive travel ban targeting countries she labels as “flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies.” In a post on social media, she expressed her view that America’s ancestors built the nation for its citizens, not for foreign individuals, stating, “WE DON’T WANT THEM. NOT ONE.”

Noem’s call for a travel ban reflects Trump’s recent promises to “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries,” particularly following violent incidents attributed to immigrants, including a shooting involving a suspected Afghan national. Trump has criticized existing immigration policies, insisting they undermine American society and finance, stating that migrants benefit disproportionately from U.S. resources.

Noem’s focus on immigration policies aligns with Trump’s broader immigration agenda, which features extreme measures such as denaturalizing migrants deemed detrimental to national cohesion, ending federal benefits for non-citizens, and aggressive deportation policies. Both officials are vocal about viewing immigration as a central issue affecting national security and social stability.

This rhetoric from Noem and Trump echoes an intensifying trend in Republican politics, wherein immigration is depicted as a significant threat. Their comments play into a narrative that directly targets specific nationalities while advocating measures that many deem as xenophobic and divisive.

As their statements draw further attention, they contribute to an ongoing dialogue about the future of immigration in the U.S. amid rising tensions and increasing calls for stricter enforcement of immigration laws. Their extreme posturing reinforces a culture of fear and aggression toward immigrants in American political discourse.

Trump Posts Over 160 Truth Social Messages in Late-Night Spree

President Donald Trump conducted an enormous late-night posting spree on Truth Social, releasing over 160 posts within a five-hour period. He attacked political opponents while promoting conspiracy theories and MAGA-friendly narratives, with many of the posts featuring repetitive clips. This social media blitz occurred late on a Monday night, reflecting a frantic response to ongoing political issues.

Among the targets of Trump’s ire were notable Democrats such as California Governor Gavin Newsom, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, and former President Barack Obama. He also criticized Senator Mark Kelly, labeling him a “traitor,” and pushed for the release of Tina Peters, a Colorado election official imprisoned for her actions related to election security.

Trump’s posts included bizarre claims, such as suggesting that Michelle Obama may have improperly used an autopen during Biden’s presidency. Additionally, he vowed to nullify all executive orders signed by Biden with the device, reinforcing his ongoing battle against the previous administration’s policies.

The president’s engagement with conspiracy theories extended to glorifying extremist figures, sharing clips featuring Alex Jones and bizarre allegations regarding political figures. His behavior reflects a continued effort to energize his base by invoking familiar grievances and conspiratorial rhetoric.

Despite the late hours, Trump boasted about his platform early the next morning, reinforcing his commitment to Truth Social and his followers, who have been central to his political messaging.

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