TRUMP’S “I STARTED NO WARS” CLAIMS – 2024 CAMPAIGN
by Robbie Blue
1. June 27, 2024 – CNN Presidential Debate
Trump said: “We got a lot of credit for the economy, a lot of credit for the military, and no wars and so many other things. Everything was rocking good” CNN.
2. July 18, 2024 – Republican National Convention (Milwaukee)
Trump said: “I had no wars, other than ISIS, which I defeated. We had no wars. I could stop wars with a telephone call” NBC NewsRev.
In the same speech: “With our victory in November, the years of war, weakness and chaos will be over. I don’t have wars. I had no wars other than ISIS, which I defeated but that was a war that was started. We had no wars. I could stop wars with a telephone call” Rev.
3. January 19, 2021 – Farewell Address (Also Referenced in 2024 Campaign)
In his farewell address, Trump stated: “I am especially proud to be the first president in decades who has started no new wars” France 24. This claim was repeatedly invoked during his 2024 campaign.
CONTRAST: TRUMP’S “I’LL END WARS” PROMISES
Campaign Trail – Repeated 53+ Times
CNN’s Factba.se database found at least 53 examples of Trump claiming he would end the Ukraine war within 24 hours or before taking office during the 2023-2024 campaign. The promise was “a sober staple of Trump’s pre-written rally remarks” where he framed it as “a key component of his second-term agenda” CNN.
Sample quotes:
January 5, 2024 – Mason City, Iowa: “Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency – it’s going to be us all together – I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. I know them both very well, Zelensky and Putin. I’ll get it settled” CNN.
January 19, 2024 – Concord, New Hampshire: “Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we, we, win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. I will get it settled. I know Putin, I know Zelensky very well, I know them both, and we’re going to get it settled. It’s got to get settled” CNN.
February 14, 2024 – North Charleston, South Carolina: “But before I even arrive at the Oval Office – I will win the presidency – I will be doing things that will be amazing, like I will get the war between Russia and Ukraine settled forthwith. It will be settled very quickly” CNN.
March 25, 2023 – Waco, Texas Rally: “Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after I win the presidency, I will have the disastrous war between Russia and Ukraine settled. I will have that settlement done within 24 hours” NBC News.
August 2024 – Shawn Ryan Podcast: “I will have that war settled when I’m president-elect, meaning before I get to office on Jan. 20” NBC News.
June 27, 2023 – New Hampshire Campaign Lunch: “I’ll have that war settled in 24 hours, and it won’t even be a tough one by comparison to other things” PolitiFact.
TRUMP’S ADMISSION IT WAS A LIE
March 16, 2025 – “Full Measure” Interview: When pressed on his campaign promise to end the war in 24 hours, Trump responded: “Well, I was being a little bit sarcastic when I said that. What I really mean is I’d like to get it settled, and I think I’ll be successful” The Hill.
April 25, 2025 – Time Magazine Interview: Trump told Time magazine: “Well, I said that figuratively, and I said that as an exaggeration, because to make a point, and you know, it gets, of course, by the fake news. Obviously, people know that when I said that, it was said in jest, but it was also said that it will be ended” The Hill.
THE HYPOCRISY – NOW HE STARTED A WAR
January 3, 2026 – Venezuela Invasion: Legal experts described the Venezuela operation as “clearly a blatant, illegal and criminal act.” Michael Schmitt, a former Air Force lawyer and professor emeritus at the U.S. Naval War College, stated: “There is no other way to characterize what has happened other than as a state of war between the United States and Venezuela” PBS.
SUMMARY FOR YOUR ARTICLE:
Trump claimed “no wars” at:
- June 27, 2024 – Presidential Debate
- July 18, 2024 – RNC Speech (his biggest speech of the campaign)
- Repeatedly throughout campaign – invoking his 2021 farewell address
He promised to end wars 53+ times during the campaign, claiming he’d do it in “24 hours” or “before taking office.”
Then he started a war with Venezuela on January 3, 2026 – less than a year after taking office.
When called out, he claimed his promises were “sarcastic,” “figurative,” “an exaggeration,” and “said in jest.”