Fact Checking Trump’s Inauguration Day Speeches

Trump offered a more polished speech for his inaugural address at the Capitol Rotunda on Monday, but then addressed supporters later in unscripted speeches during which he made several misleading or false claims.

For Context: Trump’s unscripted speeches were delivered immediately after the inauguration ceremony in the U.S. Capitol's Emancipation Hall, and later during a rally at Capital One Arena. AllSides did not find coverage from the right. Here were some of the claims most widely fact checked claims:

Rigged Election: Trump repeated his often-touted claim that the 2020 presidential election was “rigged.” Trump made this claim during both unscripted speeches. CNN’s Facts First (Left bias) noted, “Trump legitimately lost a free and fair election to Biden.”

Panama Canal: Trump said during his inaugural address that “China is operating the Panama Canal” and “American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly.” Euronews (Center bias) noted that a Hong Kong company operates ports on both ends of the canal, and that Panama can't give special rates to US ships because of a neutrality treaty.

‘33 Murderers’ Pardon: In his Emancipation Hall speech, Trump said Biden “pardoned… 33 murderers” who were on death row. PolitiFact (Lean Left bias) and Euronews both noted that Biden commuted, not pardoned, the sentences of 37 of the 40 people who faced federal death sentences. PolitiFact wrote, “Commutation is not the same as a pardon. A commutation of sentence reduces the sentence but does not erase the conviction.”