FACT FOCUS: Trump says drug trafficking by sea is down 98.2%. The numbers don't show that - AP News

AP News
April 17, 2026
6 views
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

President Donald Trump's claim of a 98.2% decrease in sea drug trafficking is not supported by available data.

How This Affects You

Misrepresented statistics can affect public understanding of national security and the effectiveness of border control efforts.

AI Summary

President Donald Trump asserted that drug trafficking by sea has decreased by 98.2%. However, an AP News fact check indicates that available data does not support this claim. This discrepancy highlights a potential misrepresentation of statistics regarding maritime drug interdiction efforts under the current administration. The accuracy of such figures is crucial for public understanding of national security and border control effectiveness.

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Trump signs order to speed review of psychedelics, including the controversial drug ibogaine - AP News
Politics

Trump signs order to speed review of psychedelics, including the controversial drug ibogaine - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisgFBVV95cUxNUzlaeEZMcTdjcFV0aGpYZi11X2pLUTgzamxyX2NwMWFraldDYmNjdGZkQmVlbnYyNjVwOUZ1LXdhbzhzTUhvclFmVDAzZWEwd3RfTHZ1YzZmQTZ1M1RZLXlOcDlwV1lfQzhfNWY2S3NfQVd2NFZYRnhWRW5XMm93eVRqbnRSYVFQX2VYa2xpd3h1eUUzS2ZJVUVQMjUtRllYWHgwSEpMMDBrNWFEajBJMEN3?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump signs order to speed review of psychedelics, including the controversial drug ibogaine</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 18
Trump administration moves forward with certain drug reclassifications
Health

Trump administration moves forward with certain drug reclassifications

President Trump signed an executive order on Saturday that paves the way for more research into psychedelics as treatment for certain mental illnesses. The signing follows Mr. Trump's move in December 2025 to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. Josh Kesselman, the founder of RAW rolling papers and publisher of High Times Magazine, joins with more.

CBS NewsApr 20
Transgender athlete focuses on what may be her last track season as Supreme Court ruling looms - AP News
Civil Rights

Transgender athlete focuses on what may be her last track season as Supreme Court ruling looms - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimgFBVV95cUxOeHdVN1NUeVhVdUxIRmdmRUkxZE5ZRFR4MG1hVVVpSkU4eWljN1VmNExaalIzcFRDSjlfa2dmM3NUSXROdmFKTVVKQ19sN2Y2S2IzRF9aSjBYSEEweGV0N1h6SkJzcEpDZjRjbmlCdGg5UTdxUFl4OEpUaHBmaUpKaUh2ekdlS2lHQUM1NnBTVXQ5a3ZveEJFSDFn?oc=5" target="_blank">Transgender athlete focuses on what may be her last track season as Supreme Court ruling looms</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 17
FACT FOCUS: RFK Jr. says the US is limiting measles outbreaks better than the rest of the world - AP News
Health

FACT FOCUS: RFK Jr. says the US is limiting measles outbreaks better than the rest of the world - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqgFBVV95cUxQQjd0LTJtWDBxak1jZEQ0cnVIRGNvR1R3djROM0daOVNTVkpfVXhuNm1xdkFxMGZsZHZDVWhvOURjYl94cmVPeXF0aHg0dmdGbm1HeXJzd1R2MDJpRlRCV0dHRkViaW14ZEEydkVMM000ZTlselYzVzJEci1FTHRzVTl1Q28yM2NoUk9ZNnJhd3FhSXIwa1Z2cFhwQ19UWmNRNEY1UUtQOW1fUQ?oc=5" target="_blank">FACT FOCUS: RFK Jr. says the US is limiting measles outbreaks better than the rest of the world</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 17
What to Know About Trump's Feud With The U.K. Over North Sea Oil Drilling
Global

What to Know About Trump's Feud With The U.K. Over North Sea Oil Drilling

Why Trump is criticizing U.K. energy policy and the climate impacts of North Sea oil drilling.

TIMEApr 16
An iron worker takes on one of Trump’s most loyal followers in Congress
Politics

An iron worker takes on one of Trump’s most loyal followers in Congress

<p>Brian Poindexter, a five-term local councilman and apprentice instructor at Ironworkers Local 17, is seeking the Democratic nomination for an Ohio House seat</p><p>When Max Miller ran for Congress in 2022, the Trump loyalist and former aide was unequivocal: inflation and the economy were “<a href="https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2022/09/09/max-miller-full-interview-campaign-ohio">the top issue</a>” for the voters in Ohio he was looking to represent.</p><p>Four years after he won that race – with affordability, growth and jobs still in sharp focus – Miller could face a significant challenge for the seat from a union iron worker, as the Democratic party battles to retake the majority in the House of Representatives.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/18/brian-poindexter-ohio-congress-candidate">Continue reading...</a>

The Guardian US NewsApr 18
Read Next
Trump labor secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigns amid misconduct investigation - The Guardian
Politics

Trump labor secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigns amid misconduct investigation - The Guardian

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources