In extraordinary, blistering fact-check, The Associated Press concludes Americans can't trust Trump when it comes to terror abroad


In an extraordinary statement Monday, The Associated Press concluded that "President Donald Trump can't be counted on to give accurate information to Americans when violent acts are unfolding abroad."
The statement was spurred by a number of recent events, including when Trump called an incident in the Philippines last week a "terrorist attack" when it was in fact an attack by a lone heavily-indebted gambler. Additionally, "the latest deadly London attacks ... prompted visceral reactions from Trump instead of statements shaped by the findings of the U.S. intelligence and diplomatic apparatus," AP wrote.
The Associated Press broke down some of Trump's recent misleading tweets, including his premature assertion that terrorism was behind the London attacks, "sharing on Twitter an unconfirmed report to that effect, well before British authorities said so." In another tweet, Trump claimed "at least seven dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and mayor of London says there is 'no reason to be alarmed!'" while in fact the full context of the quote shows London Mayor Sadiq Khan actually telling citizens there is "no need to be alarmed" by heavy police presence in the city in the days ahead.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Read AP's full, lethal fact-check here.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Harris rules out run for California governor
Speed Read The 2024 Democratic presidential nominee ended months of speculation about her plans for the contest
-
Trump sets new tariff rates as deadline nears
Speed Read New tariff rates for South Korea, Brazil and India announced
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardon
Talking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
Senate confirms Trump loyalist Bove to top court
Speed Read The president's former criminal defense lawyer was narrowly approved to earn a lifetime seat
-
Ghislaine Maxwell offers testimony for immunity
Speed Read The convicted sex trafficker offered to testify to Congress about her relationship with late boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein
-
Judge halts GOP defunding of Planned Parenthood
Speed Read The Trump administration can't withhold Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood, said the ruling
-
Trump contradicts Israel, says 'starvation' in Gaza
Speed Read The president suggests Israel could be doing more to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians
-
Trump executive order targets homeless
Speed Read It will now be easier for states and cities to remove homeless people from the streets