US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after stepping off Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on May 20, 2026Donald Trump got a blunt reminder on social media on Wednesday over his boast about the state of the country.
Speaking to the graduating class at the US Coast Guard Academy, the president declared that under his leadership: “Our country is hot, this is a great time, our country is hot.”
He contrasted that with the recent past, saying: “I hate to say it but I will. A year ago, a year and a half ago, two years ago, the last administration, we were a dead country, right now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world.”
Trump's commencement message to Coast Guard cadets: "Our country is hot. This is a great time. Our country is hot. I hate to say it, but I will -- the last administration, we were a dead country. Right now we're the hottest country anywhere in the world. We're respected all over… pic.twitter.com/8jR1PIBuXG
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 20, 2026Critics, however, seized on the “year ago” claim to note how Trump has been back in office for 16 months, meaning part of the period he described as a “dead country” was actually during his own presidency.
Trump: I hate to say it, but I will. A year ago, we were a dead country
(Trump was president 1 year ago) pic.twitter.com/uTh4LQbAgX
We’re even more dead now. https://t.co/P1b0lNbXjs
— Randy Shulman (@RandyShulman) May 20, 2026He ain’t lying because he was in office last year lol the orange whale told the truth😂😂😂 this country has been in shambles since he retook office
— Jasonhodges (@Jasonman94) May 20, 2026At the rate Trump is destroying everything in the US environment...May be a dead country for real in a couple of years .
— Cathy Stone.. No DMs please (@CathySt35873400) May 20, 2026He means hot as a dumpster fire.
— We The People. 🇺🇸 (@bingwisdom) May 20, 2026We are the laughingstock of the planet
— TheBean (she/her)💪🏻🏳️🌈 (@luvredsox13) May 20, 2026America is no longer considered the leader of the free world, nor respected, nor trusted, on the world stage.
All in 16 months. Destroyed. Gone.
Trump is bankrupting America, and the American people.
This is Trump’s legacy. https://t.co/pmznqxaWze
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