Former US President Donald Trump has been widely criticised for making what observers have called a fundamental mathematical error during a recent address from the White House.
The Gaffe During a Wide-Ranging Speech
On Wednesday, 17 December, Trump delivered an 18-minute speech reflecting on his first year back in office for a second term. The President covered a broad spectrum of topics, from wages and military strength to his administration's efforts on illegal immigration.
He placed particular emphasis on his negotiations with major pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and AstraZeneca. Trump asserted he had successfully brokered deals to lower the cost of certain medications in the US to bring them in line with prices paid in other nations, a move he said would save millions of Americans money.
The 'Basic' Mathematical Impossibility
The controversy erupted when Trump detailed the scale of these purported savings. "I negotiated directly with the drug companies and foreign nations," he stated, "to slash prices on drugs and pharmaceuticals by as much as 400 per cent, 500 per cent, and even 600 per cent." He added, "In other words, your drug costs will be plummeting downward."
Viewers and critics were quick to point out the glaring error in this claim. A price cut cannot exceed 100% of an item's current value, as that would imply the seller is paying the customer to take the product. A reduction of 600% is therefore a mathematical impossibility.
Reaction and Unclear Benefits
The reaction on social media platform X was swift and mocking. One user commented, "A 600 per cent price cut would mean drug companies pay you to take medicine. That's not policy - that's not knowing basic math." Another joked, "This is good to hear. They are going to pay me to take the insulin?!"
While Trump has indeed been in discussions with drug firms, the tangible benefits for consumers remain unclear. NBC reported that companies which have struck deals with the White House have cited confidentiality or said details are not yet finalised.
Some defenders suggested Trump was clumsily referring to removing high percentage markups on drugs. However, the focus remained firmly on the President's numerical misstep, overshadowing the policy message he intended to deliver.
