The confusion appears to stem from Trump’s grandparents on his father’s side. Frederick Trump and Elizabeth Christ Trump emigrated from Germany to the United States in the late 19th century. Frederick Trump arrived in America in 1885, seeking economic opportunity, and later ran businesses serving miners during the Gold Rush.

After returning briefly to Germany in 1901 to marry Elisabeth, the couple attempted to settle there again a few years later. However, Frederick was expelled by German authorities for failing to complete mandatory military service. The couple then returned to the United States, where their son Fred Trump was born in New York. This is not the first time Trump has made the mistake. He made similar claims during interviews in 2018, 2019, and 2020, repeatedly stating that his father was born in Germany.