Fact-check · Oct 9, 2026 · Donald Trump
“2% of the people create 91% of the crime in these cities”
FALSE
What the record shows
No authoritative U.S. crime statistics source publishes a finding that 2% of the population commits 91% of all crime. BJS data show repeat offenders account for disproportionate crime shares, but vary by measure and crime type (5-8% for roughly half of crime). The 2% figure conflates jail bookings with actual crime commission.
The 91% figure lacks independent verification from FBI, BJS, or peer-reviewed research. White House cites jail booking data, not crime commission data—a fundamental category error.
Sources
- Note to President Trump: No, 2% of the population doesn’t account for all crime
- Trump’s Claim That 2% of Americans Account for Nearly All Crime Draws Counterarguments - Davis Vanguard
- 91% of the Crime in Cities Is Caused by 2% of the People
- Trump Says '2% of the People Create 90% of the Crime' on The Dan Bongino Show
- Does 2% of the population cause 80% of crime?
- United States cities by crime rate (100,000%E2%80%93250,000)
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