Fact check: Trump told NBC that he never promised not to start a new war. He did, repeatedly

Fact Check: Trump’s Claims About Promising No New Wars

Fact check – During a June 2024 interview with NBC’s *Meet the Press*, Donald Trump asserted that he had not made any formal commitments regarding avoiding new wars. This statement came amid scrutiny over his actions in the Iran conflict, which he had ignited earlier that year. When pressed by anchor Kristen Welker about his campaign promise of “no new wars,” Trump countered with a series of claims, each designed to downplay his accountability. The full transcript of the exchange is available for review, but one of his key arguments was that he had not “guaranteed no war.” Later in the same interview, he added, “So when you say I promised—I didn’t promise anything. I don’t like these endless wars. This is not an endless war.”

Contradictory Promises During the 2024 Campaign

Despite his assertion during the NBC interview, Trump made repeated pledges throughout the 2024 campaign that the United States would not engage in new wars under his leadership. These promises were often framed as a contrast to the perceived weakness of his predecessor, Joe Biden. For instance, in a June 2024 social media post, Trump stated, “This election is a choice between STRENGTH or WEAKNESS, COMPETENCE or INCOMPETENCE, peace and prosperity or war and no war.” Here, he explicitly linked his re-election to the avoidance of conflict, positioning himself as a leader who would prioritize stability.

“This election is a choice between STRENGTH or WEAKNESS, COMPETENCE or INCOMPETENCE, peace and prosperity or war and no war.”

His commitment to peace was further emphasized in a high-profile speech at the Republican National Convention in July 2024. Addressing a crowd of supporters, Trump declared, “With our victory in November, the years of war, weakness, and chaos will be over. I don’t have wars.” This statement was part of a broader narrative that framed his presidency as a solution to the ongoing military engagements and geopolitical tensions of the Biden era.

Trump’s pledge became even more direct in August 2024 during a rally in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state. He told attendees, “Under Trump, we will have no more wars, no more disruptions, and we will have prosperity and peace for all.” This promise was reiterated in an August 2024 interview with online influencer Adin Ross, who has a significant following among younger demographics. After confirming that his first term saw no major wars, Trump added, “And we won’t have wars again.” Though he acknowledged the possibility of conflict before his re-election, he framed it as an unavoidable risk rather than a certainty.

“With our victory in November, the years of war, weakness, and chaos will be over. I don’t have wars.”

In another instance, during an August 2024 rally in North Carolina, Trump referenced Viktor Orbán, the prime minister of Hungary, as a source of validation for his war rhetoric. He claimed Orbán had said, “Make sure that Trump gets re-elected president and you’re not going to have any more wars.” The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, underscoring the importance of this message in his campaign. Trump then reinforced the claim, stating, “No more wars. No more disruptions. We will have prosperity and we will have peace.” This repetition highlights how the promise was woven into his public messaging to solidify support.

Consistent Messaging Across Events

Trump’s commitment to avoiding new wars extended beyond major speeches and interviews. During a swing-state rally in Wisconsin in October 2024, he again cited Orbán’s supposed statement, saying, “Viktor Orbán said, ‘If Trump comes back, you won’t have any wars. You won’t have any wars.’ And he’s about as tough as they get, and he said why. But you won’t have any wars.” This version of the quote, while slightly altered, reinforced his campaign’s central theme: that his leadership would bring an end to the conflict-driven policies of the previous administration.

“Viktor Orbán said, ‘If Trump comes back, you won’t have any wars. You won’t have any wars.'”

Even in his victory address in November 2024, after securing the presidency, Trump reaffirmed his pledge. Speaking to a packed audience, he declared, “Four years, we had no wars, except we defeated ISIS. … They said, ‘He will start a war.’ I’m not going to start a war, I’m going to stop wars.” This statement, delivered in the context of a win, underscored his resolve to shift the nation’s trajectory from a cycle of perpetual conflict.

nuance in Campaign Rhetoric

While Trump consistently vowed to avoid new wars, his campaign rhetoric often included nuanced phrasing. For example, during an October 2024 rally at Madison Square Garden, he oscillated between promises of no war and acknowledgments of its possibility. “We sort of need (domestically manufactured) steel in this country,” he said. “Like, we’re not going to go to war with me as your president. But if we—on the long shot that we do—we don’t want to say, ‘We need steel. Can we get it from China? Or can we get it from someplace else?’ You know, it’s always a possibility. But I will tell you, you’re not going to have a war with me, and you’re not going to have a third World War with me,” he added. “That I can tell you.”

“We sort of need (domestically manufactured) steel in this country. Like, we’re not going to go to war with me as your president. But if we—on the long shot that we do—we don’t want to say, ‘We need steel. Can we get it from China? Or can we get it from someplace else?’ You know, it’s always a possibility. But I will tell you, you’re not going to have a war with me, and you’re not going to have a third World War with me.”

Similarly, in June 2024, when addressing young supporters in Arizona, Trump stated, “So we are going to make sure there’s no wars.” However, he later tempered this by saying, “We don’t want to have wars. I call them endless wars. I call them wars where people don’t even want us involved.” This back-and-forth suggests that while he aimed to avoid new conflicts, he also recognized the potential for military action in specific scenarios.

From Promises to Actions

Trump’s campaign rhetoric was marked by a balance between definitive commitments and conditional language. He pledged to end “endless” wars, prevent “World War III,” and ensure that the U.S. would not be drawn into new conflicts. However, these statements did not always align with his actions. During the interview with Welker, he implied that his policy of “no new wars” was a flexible promise rather than a firm guarantee. This ambiguity allowed him to maintain a consistent message while leaving room for interpretation.

Despite this flexibility, Trump’s repeated assurances to voters created a clear expectation. His campaign’s focus on peace and prosperity positioned him as a leader who could break from the pattern of prolonged military involvement. Yet, the nuance in his language also allowed him to argue that wars were necessary in certain circumstances, such as defending national interests or countering threats.

Context and Implications

The contrast between Trump’s claims and his actual campaign messaging raises questions about the consistency of his promises. While he denied guaranteeing “no new wars” during the NBC interview, his public statements across multiple events and platforms reinforced the idea that he would avoid such conflicts. This contradiction highlights the strategic use of language in political campaigns, where specific promises are often tailored to appeal to different audiences.

For instance, in his July 2024 speech at the RNC convention, Trump framed his victory as a turning point that would end the “years of war, weakness, and chaos.” This statement, made in a setting where his primary audience was conservative voters, emphasized his role as a strong leader capable of restoring order. In contrast, during the Madison Square Garden rally, he introduced the possibility of war as a contingency, suggesting that it was a risk he was prepared to manage.

Ultimately, Trump’s campaign built its narrative around the idea that his leadership would lead to a new era of peace. Whether this promise was absolute or conditional, it became a central theme in his messaging. The fact check reveals that while he often used phrases like “endless wars” or “prevent World War III,” he also made definitive pledges that the U.S. would not be involved in new conflicts. This duality in his