TCT-F-04 · Foreign policy
There were “no wars” during Trump’s first presidency
Statement and context
“We had no wars. I’m the first President in 82 years that had no war.” — 2024-09-10, ABC presidential debate.
“We had no wars. I’m the first President in 82 years that had no war.” — 2024-09-10, ABC presidential debate.
What the evidence shows
The United States remained engaged in the congressionally authorized war in Afghanistan and conducted military operations in Iraq, Syria, Somalia and elsewhere during 2017-2021. U.S. service members died in hostile action. See the Defense Department’s Casualty Status report and the Congressional Research Service report on overseas use of force.
False literally. A narrower claim that he did not initiate a new war on the scale of Iraq or Afghanistan is an arguable political characterization, not “no wars.”
Sources and attribution
Tracker research synthesis; inspect the linked evidence and research record.