Donald Trump Picked Apart for Bizarre Statement on U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths

President Donald Trump recently attracted attention for his unusual remarks regarding drug overdose fatalities in the U.S. during a press conference at Morristown Airport, New Jersey, before his upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom. While promoting the significance of his trip and the honor of being hosted at Windsor Castle, Trump mistakenly claimed that 300 million Americans perished from drug overdoses last year.A reporter questioned him about the legality of recent strikes on Venezuelan vessels, and in defending his administration's actions, Trump stated, "What’s illegal are the drugs that were on the boat." The figure he quoted starkly exceeds available statistics, as the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the population at over 342 million.In reality, the CDC reported approximately 80,391 overdose deaths in 2024, a marked decrease from the previous year. This isn't the first instance of Trump making exaggerated statements regarding drug-related deaths, leading to widespread skepticism and criticism from viewers and experts alike.