A month ago, Donald Trump announced that his administration would cut drug prices by 1,500%. That’s mathematically impossible, since it would mean not only free drugs but that pharmaceutical companies would actually pay you. Of course, Trump has his own speech rhythms, so most experts assumed he was just being hyperbolic as usual — but he doubled down on the claim of a 1,000+% decrease in drug prices in the U.S.
Trump has been pushing the pharmaceutical industry to cut prices since returning to the Oval Office. He notably gave a short anecdote about the price of semaglutide in the U.S. compared to Europe — calling it “the fat shot” in a jab at someone who sounded suspiciously like Elon Musk. And even though the president chose to announce this new agenda in a way few could fully understand, it was broadly welcomed on both sides. This time, Trump sat for an interview with Fox News, despite their recently soured relationship, and finally had enough time to explain what he meant.
Trump told Fox News, “You understand, and we will be reducing drug costs over the next year by not 50 or 60% but by 1,000%… Because if you think of a $10 pill, it will be raised up from 10 to 20 because it’s the world versus us, the world is the bigger place… so it will go from 10 to 20… for them, which is bearable. And it will go from 10 to 20 for us.”
Okay, so he will be slashing the prices by doubling them? What kind of alternate universe Math is this?
Trump: You understand and we will be reducing drug costs over the next year by not 50 or 60% but by 1000%… Because if you think of a $10 pill — it will be raised up from 10 to 20 because it's the world versus us, the world is the bigger place.. so it will go from 10 to 20… for… pic.twitter.com/C93Uo2x5oK
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 18, 2025
Few people actually understand what the president means. On X, one user said Trump was explaining how price doubling is actually a 1,000% reduction. Another suggested an age limit for the presidency. And one asked whether Trump even understands basic math.
Insane.
— AnatolijUkraine (@AnatoliUkraine) September 18, 2025
Trump promises a 1000% reduction in drug costs — then explains how prices will double.
This isn’t policy.
It’s dementia math on live mic.
Can we all agree the president needs an age limit?
— JohnathonTrick (@JohnathonTrick) September 18, 2025
CNN offered more context on what Trump is actually trying to achieve. Experts explained that he would need Congress to grant legal authority to enforce price reductions. However, if the megabill was any indicator, Trump can get almost anything passed when he throws the weight of his GOP leadership behind it.
Trump reportedly told pharmaceutical companies they would have to reduce their prices if they wanted to avoid repercussions. Upon signing an executive order in May on favorable pricing, Trump said, “Big Pharma will either abide by this principle voluntarily or we will use the power of the federal government to ensure that we are paying the same price as other countries to accelerate these price restrictions and reductions.”
Then there’s the issue of Trump’s tariffs. He has reportedly levied a 15% tariff on drugs coming from the European Union, with a few generics excluded. Tariffs, of course, increase prices — which may explain why Trump is trying to convince people that higher costs are actually a 1,000% cut. Regardless, Trump can say whatever he wants, but people taking medication will know from their own budgets whether prices have gone up or down.
When it comes to President Trump, what really matters is not the too-good-to-be-true claims themselves but what he does after making them.
Published: Sep 19, 2025 12:16 pm