PolitiFact Trump-O-Meter · AllSides Tracker · Government Data
Promises Made.Receipts Below.
Campaign promises paired with documented outcomes. We track what actually happened — and that includes promises he kept. Credibility requires acknowledging both. Judge for yourself.
Promise Scorecard
13 Promises Tracked
77%
broken
Based on documented outcomes · All entries sourced to PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, or government data
Promise
“Build a wall and make Mexico pay for it.”
2016 campaign through present · Core campaign promise, repeated in every rally
Outcome
Mexico never paid for any wall construction. During Term 1, only 3 miles of NEW wall were built where no barrier previously existed; 235 miles replaced existing fencing. Trump had promised 500 miles by end of his first term. PolitiFact rates this 'Promise Broken.'
Promise
“Lower mortgage rates to 3% and maybe even lower.”
2024 campaign · Housing affordability promise
Outcome
Mortgage rates have remained above 6% through 2025–2026. DOGE cuts to HUD are projected to worsen housing markets.
Promise
“Reduce energy prices by 50% and bring gas under $2/gallon.”
2024 campaign · Day One promise
Outcome
National average gas price was approximately $2.82/gallon as of Jan 2026. No state averaged under $2.31. Gas prices have not been cut by 50%.
Promise
“No tax on Social Security.”
2024 campaign · Repeated promise to retirees
Outcome
The bill Trump signed created a temporary additional deduction for people 65+, but millions of Social Security recipients continue to pay taxes on their benefits. The deduction expires in 2028 and doesn't apply to recipients under 65.
Promise
“Protect our workers and protect our jobs.”
2024 campaign · Economic core promise
Outcome
Unemployment rose from 4.0% (Jan 2025) to 4.3% (Jan 2026), hitting a 4-year high of 4.5% in Nov 2025. Mass federal firings through DOGE caused private sector job losses. Tariff chaos created market instability.
Promise
“No Project 2025 in my administration.”
October 2024 campaign · Distancing from Project 2025 amid voter opposition
Outcome
Administration is stacked with Project 2025 contributors. 'Key architect' Russ Vought serves in the administration. Nearly 60% of voters felt negatively about Project 2025 in a Sept 2025 NBC poll.
Promise
“I will end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours — before I even take office.”
2024 campaign, repeated · Signature foreign policy promise
Outcome
The war continued well past his inauguration. As of March 2026, the conflict is ongoing with no peace settlement in place.
Promise
“Repeal and replace Obamacare with something much better.”
2016 campaign, recycled for 2024 · Repeated twice across two presidential campaigns
Outcome
After failing to repeal the ACA in his first term despite Republican control of Congress, the promise was recycled for 2024. No replacement plan has been presented in either term.
Promise
“Drain the swamp.”
2016 campaign, repeated · Anti-corruption core message
Outcome
Multiple Trump associates have been indicted, convicted, or pardoned. His administration includes billionaires in key positions. Elon Musk's DOGE has faced multiple lawsuits over transparency and conflicts of interest.
Promise
“Bring down the cost of living on Day One.”
2024 campaign · Economic relief promise
Outcome
Overall grocery prices are up 2.1% since Jan 2025. Tariffs have increased costs on imported goods. The employment-population ratio declined from 60.1% to 59.8%.
Promise
“Withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement.”
2024 campaign · Energy and regulatory promise
Outcome
Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement on his first day in office, January 20, 2025 — the second withdrawal after he did so in 2017.
Promise
“Impose tariffs on China and other trading partners.”
2024 campaign · Trade policy promise
Outcome
Broad tariffs were imposed on imports from China, Canada, Mexico, and other trading partners beginning in early 2025. Whether the tariffs achieved their stated goals of reducing trade deficits and bringing back manufacturing is disputed, but the action itself was taken.
Promise
“Yeah, I would. I guess I would.”
June 2024 · Fox & Friends, as quoted by NPR. Asked whether he would declassify the Epstein files if reelected. He added that he would be less likely to release material “if it’s phony stuff.”
Outcome
NPR’s timeline, updated November 20, 2025 (“Trump makes the Epstein files public”), says he promised on the campaign trail to release additional Justice Department files if reelected, then resisted for months after taking office. A July 7, 2025 Justice Department memo said no further disclosure would be appropriate. On November 16, 2025, he urged House Republicans to vote to release the files. The House passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act 427–1 on November 18; the Senate passed it by unanimous consent the same day. He signed it on November 19, 2025. Disputes after the signature are on the cover-up page.