President Donald Trump addressed the Detroit Economic Club on January 13, 2026, where he made several claims about the US economy, inflation, and his administration's achievements.However, many of his statements were contradicted by recent data and expert analysis.Trump asserted that the US is experiencing the "strongest and fastest economic turnaround in our country's history." He claimed that inflation has been defeated and that prices for groceries, rent, and other goods are falling.However, federal data released on the same day indicated that inflation remains steady at 2.7% year-over-year, with grocery prices actually rising by 2.4% compared to the previous year, and a 0.7% increase from November to December 2025.
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bridgemi.comcnn.comIn his speech, Trump stated, "Grocery prices are starting to go rapidly down," which is misleading given the recent data showing a spike in grocery prices.The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that five of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in December 2025.
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bridgemi.comcnn.comTrump also claimed that "investment is booming" and that "incomes are rising." While there has been some job growth, the pace has slowed, with the economy adding only 584,000 jobs in 2025, the lowest annual figure since 2003, excluding recession years.
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politifact.comFurthermore, average hourly earnings increased by only 1.1% in 2025, which is less than the inflation rate, meaning real wage growth is stagnant for many Americans.
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bridgemi.comOn tariffs, Trump claimed that they are not paid by American consumers but rather by foreign nations.This assertion is misleading; economists have found that US businesses and consumers bear the brunt of tariff costs, which can lead to higher prices for imported goods.A December 2025 analysis indicated that tariffs have increased prices, and while some costs may be absorbed by manufacturers, consumers ultimately face higher prices.
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bridgemi.comcnn.comTrump also boasted about reducing the trade deficit, stating it had decreased by 39% between September and October 2025.However, this claim lacks context, as the trade deficit is influenced by various factors, and the long-term effects of tariffs on the economy remain uncertain.Economists initially predicted that Michigan could lose thousands of jobs due to these tariffs, although later reports suggested a "small positive" impact on domestic auto production.
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bridgemi.comcnn.comIn discussing his administration's economic policies, Trump claimed, "I've kept all my promises and much more." While he has made progress on some campaign promises, many Michiganders still face high living costs, and his promises to quickly lower prices have not materialized.The average rent in Michigan has increased significantly, with some areas seeing jumps of nearly 45% since 2015, which contradicts his claims of economic improvement for residents.
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bridgemi.compolitifact.comTrump's speech also included unverified claims about the 2020 election, suggesting he won Michigan "three times" and that widespread fraud occurred.These assertions have been debunked by multiple investigations, including one led by Republican state senators, which found no evidence of widespread fraud in Michigan's 2020 election results.
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bridgemi.comcnn.comIn summary, while Trump highlighted certain economic achievements during his speech, many of his claims were not supported by the latest data.Inflation remains a significant concern, and the economic recovery has not been as robust as he suggested.As the 2024 election approaches, these discrepancies may influence voter perceptions of his administration's performance.
