What did Donald Trump claim about the military on 25 Aug 2025?
Donald Trump, President of the United States ·
We have over 40,000 troops in South Korea.
Well under 40,000. The Pentagon counted about 23,800 active-duty troops in South Korea; even adding Guard, reserve and Defense Department civilians it was about 27,000.
As of June 30, 2025 the Pentagon counted 23,766 active-duty service members assigned to South Korea; adding National Guard, reserve and Defense Department civilians the total was 27,061 (Defense Manpower Data Center, Military and Civilian Personnel by Duty Location, June 2025).
Claim vs. the record · Military
Added
The claim
- Date
- Where
- Remarks to reporters before a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in the Oval Office.
The record
Primary source (agency data)