'Not How Numbers Work': Critics School Trump After Baffling New Claim

President Donald Trump is getting heat on social media for making a claim about cutting drug prices that’s essentially mathematically impossible. Trump began promisingly enough with a complaint shared by Democrats and Republicans alike: the high cost of medication, and how much more Americans pay for some medications than patients in other countries. He promised to reduce those costs ― but to a very unlikely degree. “We’re gonna get the drug prices down. Not 30% or 40%, which would be great. Not 50% or 60%. No, we’re gonna get them down 1,000%, 600%, 500%, 1,500%,” Trump said at a Republican dinner. “Numbers that are not even thought to be achievable.”Critics quickly pointed out the reason those numbers are not thought to be achievable: reducing the price by 100% would make the drugs free. Reducing it by “1,000%, 600%, 500%, 1,500%,” as Trump said, would make the cost negative dollars ― with the drug company essentially paying people to take the medication. Several users asked Grok, the AI chatbot on X, if Trump’s numbers made sense. Grok called Trump’s claim “mathematically impossible,” “hyperbolic and not literal” and “total bullshit.”But Trump insisted he could use “a certain talent that I have” to convince pharmaceutical companies that they have no choice but to reduce their prices.Trump also mentioned an executive order he signed in May to invoke “most-favored nation” status in drug costs, which he says would ensure that drug companies can’t charge Americans any more than what they charge patients in other nations. However, the details of that plan remain hazy, and at least one pharmaceutical CEO said discussions with the White House are ongoing and expected to take time. Trump on Tuesday insisted that his order will lead to those price cuts.“We will have reduced drug prices by 1,000%, by 1,100, 1,200, 1,300, 1,400, 700, 600,” he said. “Not 30 or 40 or 50%, but numbers the likes of which you’ve never even dreamed of before.” Trump’s critics offered some free math lessons: As someone who graduated from first grade, this is not how numbers work. https://t.co/dx4lMcQTAb— Hemant Mehta (@hemantmehta) July 23, 2025Thank goodness this guy isn't negotiating the percentages we pay in tariffs. https://t.co/x7EppKShSq— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) July 23, 2025Quite a trick if he can do it. Are we going into negative numbers where big Pharma pays me to take their drugs?— Dj Omega Mvp (@DjOmegaMVP) July 23, 2025Hard to imagine this guy was found liable of fraud for making up numbers https://t.co/vgjVF1q2DI— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) July 23, 2025The economics department at Wharton must be incredibly proud of this man's fundamental understanding of basic math. https://t.co/kuwIorU8TL— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) July 23, 2025Cant wait fill my next zpack at cvs and leave with a stack of their money https://t.co/EgT12GMTul— Ronnie (@Gem_Mint_Cards_) July 23, 2025Getting paid to take drugs sounds awesome where do I sign up— TCL (@TitleTalkTCL) July 23, 2025Universal Prescription Income. Your move, Yang https://t.co/7QbV09x3Xe— Roger Sollenberger (@SollenbergerRC) July 23, 2025What kind of math is this? https://t.co/yu5kzUJEeO— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) July 23, 2025And people wonder how this idiot bankrupted casinos. https://t.co/5xtlIrj0Gd— Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) July 23, 2025Negative drug prices are on the way ! 🤣🇺🇸 https://t.co/HLflM8fdZK— Christopher Schultz (@nalyticsatwork) July 23, 2025This is the fucking genius. https://t.co/JkEHJbqB01— Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) July 23, 2025https://t.co/4XedIgYgi8pic.twitter.com/OBOgCBZNii— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) July 23, 2025@realDonaldTrump is out here pitching drug deals like it’s Shark Tank for Cartels:“I’m offering insulin for negative $300 and a lifetime supply of bleach injections… but only if you call in the next 15 minutes.”This QVC for crackheads.— Frank C (@FrankC164) July 23, 2025

Comments

Breaking news

London’s US Embassy owes £15,600,000 in congestion charges

Metro

Comments

Breaking news

London’s US Embassy owes £15,600,000 in congestion charges

We could get ‘proof of aliens by Christmas’ after ‘interstellar visitor’ flies past us

Baby killed after being thrown from car window ‘when mum didn’t strap him in properly’

Famous peacocks and peahens ‘stolen’ from historic hotel

Indonesian police arrest 44 people suspected of starting forest fires

Will Japan become the latest country to fall to the populist right?

The US decision to leave UNESCO again puts a spotlight on what the agency does and why it matters

Taliban denies mistreatment of British couple in Afghan prison

Shark bites surfer’s leg in bloody attack off Canary Island’s coast

Majorca beach evacuated after elderly swimmer attacked by savage fish

‘Everyone is using AI’: The growing impact AI is having on teens’ lives

Delta pilot about to fly transatlantic route failed breathalyzer, officials say

Indian police arrest a suspected scammer running a fake embassy near New Delhi

Teeth marks on fossil show ‘terror bird’ may have been killed in vicious battle with caiman 13 million years ago

Plans for flexible energy tariffs to help households cut electricity bills

Met Office issues new yellow thunderstorm warning across south of UK

M&S ad banned for featuring ‘unhealthily thin’ model

Angela Rayner made ‘a big mistake’ over riots warning, Michael Gove claims

What to expect from Modi’s visit to UK

Syria asks Turkey for defense support after sectarian clashes, Turkish officials say

Four slain students, a weeks-long manhunt but no motive: Everything we know as Idaho mass murderer set to be sentenced

New York police chief placed on leave after girlfriend ‘attacks teen neighbors’ in viral video

UK facing ‘very significant’ volume of cyber attacks, security minister warns

Tulsi Gabbard says ‘further documents’ to be released today proving ‘Obama coup’

Ghislaine Maxwell’s brother thanks Donald Trump for his ‘positive statement’ about his sister in 2020

I’ve heard enough words – I want Government action on Israel-Palestine

Surgeon ‘amputated his own legs after buying videos from Eunuch Maker’

Boy claims he thought classmate had a knife when he stabbed him to death

The 5 Signs Ageing Experts Use To Rate Your Odds Of A Healthy, Long Life

Gynaecologist Explains Why There Are So Many Men In The Profession

These Chic Fixtures Will Get Rid Of Your 'Freezing Or Boiling' Tap Water Dilemma In Style

Forget Bezos' Extravagance – Charli XCX's Low-Key Wedding Has Given Me Hope

Pedro Pascal Explains Why He’ll Never Shave Again After This Film: 'I Was Appalled'

Thousands Protest In Ukraine As Zelenskyy Signs Bill Weakening Anti-Corruption Agencies

Liam Gallagher’s '97 Trench Is Back At Berghaus – And Yes, It’s Still As Iconic As Ever

UK Warns Russia Is 'Escalating Its Global Campaign' To Subvert Its Enemies

So THAT's The Difference Between Nits And Head Lice

Initial autopsy classifies ‘missing’ girl’s drowning death a homicide

What to expect at sentencing for Idaho murders killer Bryan Kohberger

Son of British couple held by Taliban says parents were ‘chained to murderers’ in prison

Surgeon named ‘Bravest in Britain’ who told insurers he had his legs amputated due to sepsis charged with fraud

Two dead and two injured in Northern Ireland shooting

U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee will comply with Trump’s ban on trans women in women’s sports

Evri cashes in on second-hand boom with record number of deliveries

Children face two-hour limits on Snapchat and TikTok as government cracks down on ‘compulsive’ screen time

How much resident doctors really earn as they plan to strike over NHS pay

What are the corruption issues behind Ukrainian protests against Zelensky?

Edmunds: Five expert tips to make cross-country EV driving easy

German court acquits satirist over social media post following Trump assassination attempt

UK admits foreign aid cuts could see deaths rise – with Africa hardest hit

One of the biggest microplastic pollution sources revealed – and it’s not straws or bags

Key things to know about Trump’s ‘massive’ trade deal with Japan

Turkey and Britain sign preliminary deal for Eurofighter Typhoon jets

DJ dies ‘after being beaten by cops’ at Ibiza party when police were ‘called over noise’

Trump’s three word reaction to newly-resurfaced photos of him and Epstein

'Shames Us All': Keir Starmer Is Now Facing Pressure Across Political Spectrum To Act On Gaza

Will There Be An Untamed Season 2 On Netflix? Here's Everything We Know So Far

My Birmingham: Ozzy Osbourne On His Brummie Roots

This Is The Worst Thing To Do After A Wasp Sting

Did Normal People Not Destroy You Enough? This New BBC 80s Drama Is Your Next Binge Watch