Fact Check: Trump claims he opposed the Iraq war, despite widespread belief otherwise.

Fact Check: "Trump claims he opposed the Iraq war, despite widespread belief otherwise."

What We Know

Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that he opposed the Iraq War before it began in 2003. However, evidence contradicts this assertion. His first public comment regarding the potential invasion came on September 11, 2002, during an interview with Howard Stern, where he stated, "Yeah, I guess so," indicating lukewarm support for the invasion (source-1). Following the invasion, on March 21, 2003, Trump described the military action as “a tremendous success from a military standpoint” (source-2). It was not until later in 2004, after public sentiment had turned against the war, that he began to express doubts about the conflict (source-3).

Analysis

The claim that Trump opposed the Iraq War before it started is not supported by credible evidence. The timeline of his comments shows that he did not publicly voice opposition until well after the invasion had commenced. His initial remarks indicated support, and only later did he begin to express skepticism, which coincided with a shift in public opinion against the war (source-4).

Moreover, Trump's assertion has been scrutinized by various fact-checking organizations, which have found no evidence of his early opposition. For instance, a fact-check by The Washington Post awarded his claim "Four Pinocchios," indicating a significant level of falsehood (source-1).

The reliability of the sources that debunk Trump's claim is high, as they come from established news organizations and fact-checking entities known for their rigorous standards. The Associated Press and The Washington Post, for example, have a long history of providing accurate and well-researched information (source-2, source-4).

Conclusion

The claim that Donald Trump opposed the Iraq War prior to its initiation is False. The evidence clearly indicates that he expressed support for the war initially and only began to voice opposition after the conflict had already started and public sentiment had shifted against it. His repeated assertions of early opposition are not substantiated by credible evidence.

Sources

1. Fact Check: Yes, Trump did support the Iraq War
2. AP FACT CHECK: Trump spins tales on bin Laden, Iraq war
3. Fact Check: Yes, Trump's Iraq War claim has been debunked
4. AP FACT CHECK: Trump's false claim of opposing the Iraq War
5. Donald Trump on Iraq... yes, no, maybe
6. Donald Trump and the Iraq War - FactCheck.org