Trump Falsely Claims Father Was Born in Germany

Critics call for invoking 25th Amendment after president's latest gaffe about his family history

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

During a meeting with the German chancellor, President Donald Trump incorrectly stated that his father was born in Germany, when in fact his father, Fred Trump, was born in New York. This latest verbal stumble has drawn criticism from commentators, who are now calling for the 25th Amendment to be invoked due to concerns about Trump's mental fitness and frequent gaffes.

Why it matters

Trump has previously attacked his predecessor, Joe Biden, for gaffes and suggested Biden had dementia. Now, with growing questions about Trump's own health and mental acuity, critics are using the same tactics against the president, raising concerns about his ability to perform his duties.

The details

In the Oval Office meeting, Trump claimed his father was born in Germany, when in reality his father, Fred Trump, was born in New York. Trump's mother, Mary Anne Trump, was born in Scotland. This is not the first time Trump has made this mistake, having previously stated in 2019 that his father was 'born in a very wonderful place in Germany.'

  • On March 3, 2026, Trump made the false claim about his father's birthplace during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States.

Fred Trump

Donald Trump's father, who was born in New York, not Germany.

Mary Anne Trump

Donald Trump's mother, who was born in Scotland.

Friedrich Merz

The current Chancellor of Germany, who was meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Imagine if Joe Biden had forgotten where his own dad was born. By the way, this isn't the first time that Trump has falsely claimed his dad was born in Germany when he was actually born in New York.”

— Mehdi Hasan, Zeteo founder (Twitter)

“Trump's dad was born in New York City! If Biden said something like this, mainstream news would be questioning everything. For some reason, Trump gets a pass.”

— Bryan Friedrich (Twitter)

What’s next

Critics are calling for the 25th Amendment, which allows for the removal of a president deemed unfit for office, to be invoked due to Trump's frequent gaffes and concerns about his mental fitness.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the double standard applied to Trump, where his own verbal stumbles and potential signs of cognitive decline are often overlooked, in contrast to the intense scrutiny faced by his political opponents like Biden. It raises serious questions about Trump's ability to effectively lead the country.