What did Donald Trump claim about the military on 30 Sep 2025?
Donald Trump, President of the United States ·
But, on top of all this, we'll deliver a hard-earned pay raise of 3.8 percent to every soldier, sailor, airman, coastguardsman, space guardman, and marine, something you weren't getting from the past administration.
Troops did get raises under Biden. Basic pay rose every year, including 4.6% in 2023, 5.2% in 2024 and 4.5% in January 2025, all above 3.8%.
Under the Biden administration basic pay rose every year, by 2.7 percent in 2022, 4.6 percent in 2023, 5.2 percent in 2024 and 4.5 percent in January 2025, each larger than 3.8 percent except 2022 (Congressional Research Service). The defense bill Biden signed on December 23, 2024 also set new pay tables that raised junior enlisted pay from April 1, 2025, for example an E-1's monthly basic pay to $2,319.00 from $2,017.20 in 2024 (Public Law 118-159, sec. 601).
Claim vs. the record · Military
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The claim
- Date
- Where
- Address to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
The record
Primary source (statute)