Fact check: Trump lies that he’s ‘already served three’ terms as president

CNN - Apr 30th, 2025

At a rally in Michigan marking his first 100 days back in office, President Donald Trump falsely claimed he served as president during Joe Biden's tenure and that he had three election victories, including a non-existent 'middle term'. Trump, who was elected in 2016 and 2024, lost the 2020 election to Biden. Despite this, he mused about potentially serving a third term, suggesting there are 'methods' for doing so. His speech included additional falsehoods, such as winning Michigan three times and unsubstantiated claims that Democrats cheated in the 2024 election.

Trump's continued false assertions about election victories and his presidency further highlight his pattern of misleading statements since his initial election in 2016. These claims not only distort historical facts but also pose challenges to democratic norms and election integrity. His rhetoric may fuel partisan divisions and skepticism about electoral processes, emphasizing the need for vigilance in upholding democratic institutions and public trust. This development underscores the ongoing political tension and the potent influence of misinformation in public discourse.

Donald Trump Joe Biden 2024 Election 2020 Election 22nd Amendment Election Misinformation Michigan Rally Third Term

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

4.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article covers a topic of significant public interest and has the potential to engage readers and provoke discussion. However, its impact is undermined by several factual inaccuracies and a lack of balance in its reporting. The absence of credible sources and transparency further diminishes its reliability. While the article is clear and timely, its effectiveness in influencing public opinion is limited by these weaknesses. Overall, the story could benefit from a more balanced approach and careful verification of facts to enhance its credibility and impact.

Accuracy

The story contains several factual inaccuracies and misleading statements. It claims that Trump served during Biden’s term, which is false as Biden was the president from 2021 to 2025. The article also mentions Trump winning Michigan three times, which is incorrect since he only won it in 2016 and 2024, not in 2020. Furthermore, the assertion that Trump has served three terms contradicts the 22nd Amendment's limitation of two terms. These inaccuracies undermine the story's credibility.

Balance

The article leans heavily towards highlighting Trump's falsehoods without providing a balanced view that might include any context or explanations from Trump's perspective or his supporters. It focuses on discrediting Trump's claims without exploring the broader context or any possible justifications he might offer. This lack of balanced reporting can lead to perceived bias and does not provide a comprehensive view of the situation.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it easy to follow. However, the lack of precise details and the presence of inaccuracies can confuse readers about the actual events. While the tone is straightforward, the clarity is compromised by the factual errors and lack of context.

Source quality

The article does not cite specific sources or evidence for its claims, particularly regarding Trump's alleged statements and actions. The lack of attribution to credible sources or direct quotes from Trump or official records weakens the reliability of the information presented. The story would benefit from referencing authoritative sources or documents to support its claims.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of how it arrived at its conclusions. There is no explanation of the methodology used to verify the claims or any disclosure of potential biases. The absence of context or explanations about how the information was gathered or verified reduces the transparency of the reporting.