Fact-check · Oct 6, 2026 · Donald Trump
“Our whole medical and pharmaceutical business is pouring back into our country... Eli Lilly, Merck, Pfizer, they're all building massive hundreds of billions of dollars worth of plants all over the country”
TRUESaid in 2 broadcasts
What the record shows
Eli Lilly: $50B since 2020; Pfizer: $70B announced; Merck: $12B invested + $9B planned. Combined ~$141B for these three firms. Broader pharma sector announced ~$500B total.
The three named companies' combined commitments exceed $140B, supporting 'hundreds of billions' claim. However, figures bundle manufacturing with R&D and other spending, not solely plant construction.
Sources
- ELI LILLY & Co - Form 10-Q - FY2024
- ELI LILLY & Co - Form 10-Q - FY2025
- Factbox-Global drugmakers invest billions to boost US presence By Reuters
- Eli Lilly announces $27 billion investment in U.S. drug manufacturing sites
- Merck, Lilly Commit Large Investments to US R&D and Manufacturing Expansion
- Eli Lilly plans at least $27 billion in new U.S. manufacturing investments
From: President Trump Delivers Remarks, Oct. 6, 2026
Every time it was said
Oct 6, 2026TRUE
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