Trump Uses Deceptive Chart in False Inflation Boast
FactCheck.org — 2026-08-13 12:36:00 — www.factcheck.org
Trump Falsely Claims to Have Lowest Inflation Among Last 10 Presidents
President Donald Trump has recently claimed to be the “lowest of the last 10 presidents on inflation,” a statement that does not hold up under scrutiny. Trump’s assertion, made in a recent interview and promoted on his Truth Social account, relies on a misleading chart that compares inflation during the first 18 months of his second term to the full four-year terms of his predecessors.
Misleading Comparison
The chart Trump circulated, created by an Instagram user known for “viral money charts,” shows cumulative inflation for each of the last 10 presidential terms at various points. However, it misleadingly stops counting inflation for Trump’s second term after 18 months—because the rest of his term hasn’t happened yet—while showing full four-year totals for other presidents. This creates the false impression that Trump’s inflation record is the lowest.
Trump highlighted this statistic in an interview with conservative commentator Wayne Allyn Root, stating, “Did you see the charts that came in yesterday? I’m the lowest of the last 10 presidents on inflation. I mean, it’s crazy. It’s a chart.”
The Facts on Inflation
Federal data contradict Trump’s claim. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index, prices grew 4.34% between January 2025 and July 2026. Only three presidents since the late 1980s—Joe Biden, George H.W. Bush, and second-term George W. Bush—saw higher inflation in their first 18 months. The rest, including both Clinton and Obama terms, George W. Bush’s first term, and Trump’s first term, had lower inflation rates at the same point in their presidencies.
Creator’s Clarification and White House Response
The Instagram creator of the chart clarified that it was not meant to claim Trump would have the lowest inflation over a full term, acknowledging the data for Trump’s second term is incomplete.
White House spokesman Kush Desai did not directly address Trump’s use of the misleading statistic but instead touted the administration’s efforts to reduce prices on essentials like prescription drugs and eggs. However, overall inflation remains higher than when Trump took office.
Conclusion
Despite Trump’s repeated claims, the data show he does not have the lowest inflation among the last 10 presidents at this point in his term. His assertion is based on a deceptive comparison that does not reflect the full picture. As inflation remains a key economic issue, accurate information is crucial for public understanding.
Source: https://www.factcheck.org/2026/08/trump-uses-deceptive-chart-in-false-inflation-boast/