Donald Trump accepted the Republican nomination for president Thursday night in a lengthy speech that weaved in calls for unity but also featured claims that were misleading and false.
“Our crime rate is going up while crime statistics all over the world are plunging,” Trump told the crowd at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. “That’s because they’re delivering their murderers, drug dealers, terrorists and criminals of all shapes and forms into the United States.”
While people might feel like crime is going up, the statistics tell a different story. Violent crime has actually been on a downward trend over the last several decades, according to FBI data. The statistics show a 49% drop from 1993 to 2022. Furthermore, multiple studies have shown that undocumented immigrants are less likely to be arrested or convicted of crimes than U.S.-born citizens.
RELATED STORY | Trump gives detailed account of assassination attempt in lengthy RNC acceptance speech
The former president also made false claims about the economy.
“Under this administration, groceries are up 50%, gasoline is up 60%, mortgage rates have quadrupled, and you can’t get the money anyway,” Trump stated.
While prices are up, Trump exaggerated the increases. According to an analysis of government data, grocery prices are up about 20%, gasoline has climbed 46% and mortgage rates have doubled, not quadrupled.
Trump’s claim about giving Americans “the largest tax cut” was also false. Trump’s tax cuts rank as the eighth largest, according to an analysis by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
In his speech, Trump also repeated false claims about the 2020 election.
RELATED STORY | Wrestling star Hulk Hogan rips off shirt onstage during speech at RNC
“We have people that are a lot less than fierce except when it comes to cheating on elections,” he said.
Multiple audits, recounts and lawsuits have revealed no evidence of election interference or major fraud in the election.
