Fact check: Five false claims Trump made in one meeting with Erdogan
Fact check – During a Tuesday press engagement in Ankara ahead of a NATO summit, former President Donald Trump reiterated several misleading statements about Greenland, U.S. economic activity, and international conflicts. These claims were scrutinized by fact-checkers, revealing inaccuracies in his assertions.
Greenland’s maritime activity
Trump claimed Greenland is “surrounded by China’s ships and Russian ships,” a statement he has made repeatedly. However, this assertion lacks evidence. Independent experts, including the Danish military, have confirmed that Chinese or Russian vessels are not regularly observed near the territory. A Danish Arctic force commander noted in a recent interview that such activity was “not typical,” as reported by TV 2. P. Whitney Lackenbauer, a Canadian academic specializing in Arctic security, stated in an email that the claim is “completely invented” and “remains inaccurate.”
“You know, I settled eight wars.” – Donald Trump
Trump’s “eight wars” list
Trump asserted he “settled eight wars,” but this list is riddled with errors. Two of the conflicts cited—Egypt vs. Ethiopia and Serbia vs. Kosovo—were not wars during his presidency. Additionally, the Rwanda-Democratic Republic of Congo conflict, included on his list, has not concluded despite a Trump-backed peace agreement. The Israel-Hamas war was also added, yet Israel continued attacking Gaza even after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The 2025 Israel-Iran clash is another example, though Israel later joined the U.S. in a new conflict with Iran in 2026.
Ukraine’s military aid
Trump repeated his claim that former President Joe Biden provided “hundreds of billions of dollars worth of equipment” to Ukraine. This figure is exaggerated. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, the U.S. allocated approximately $74 billion in military aid to Ukraine from late 2022 to April 2026. When combined with financial and humanitarian support, total U.S. aid reached around $132 billion.
U.S. investment figures
Trump stated that “we have $19 trillion, $19.2 trillion to be exact, being invested in the United States.” This number is contested. The White House reported only $10.6 trillion in major investment announcements during his first year in office, a figure deemed an overstatement by analysts. A CNN analysis from October highlighted that the count included vague pledges tied to trade and economic exchanges, not confirmed investments. Federal data from 2025 shows actual foreign direct investment in the U.S. was $232 billion, far below the claimed $19.2 trillion.
2020 election claims
Trump also brought up the “rigged” 2020 election, a recurring theme in his rhetoric. While he has consistently denied any fraud, multiple investigations and election officials have confirmed the process was fair and accurate. This claim, though unproven, remains a central part of his political narrative.
