Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Todd Blanche held a closed-door meeting with Republican Senate leadership to address concerns about a $1.8 billion DOJ "weaponization fund" designed to compensate Trump allies and January 6 defendants, resulting in significant GOP opposition and procedural delays. — White House Counsel Todd Blanche met with Senate Republicans for nearly two hours to defend a $1.8 billion DOJ fund intended to compensate individuals deemed victims of political "weaponization," including January 6 Capitol riot defendants and Trump associates. The meeting was reportedly hostile, with as many as 25 GOP senators speaking in opposition. Multiple Republican senators publicly criticized the fund as fiscally irresponsible, legally unprecedented, and damaging to party electoral prospects. The controversy delayed completion of the reconciliation bill, with Senate leadership announcing a recess until June. Senators proposed conditions including restrictions on who could receive payouts and oversight of fund administration.
• Republican senators meet with acting attorney general over slush fund — Republican senators held a nearly two-hour meeting with acting attorney general Todd Blanche to express opposition to the slush fund and immunity agreement. Senators reported the meeting was "incredibly hostile." Republicans stated they had received no advance warning, questioned the legal basis for the fund, objected to Blanche's explanations of payment mechanisms, and declared they wanted no involvement. As many as 25 Republican senators spoke against the fund and proposed limits on it.
• Multiple Republican senators publicly opposed the $1.8 billion DOJ weaponization fund, with Sen. Thom Tillis warning the fund could damage GOP electoral prospects and Sen. Mitch McConnell calling it "morally wrong." — Republican senators including Thom Tillis, Bill Cassidy, Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and John Curtis publicly criticized the $1.8 billion DOJ fund. Tillis warned that White House indifference to electoral consequences was "stupid" and would harm the president. McConnell called the fund "utterly stupid, morally wrong." Cassidy noted Americans prioritize basic needs over funding for presidential allies. Collins stated she opposed reimbursing individuals convicted of violence against police on January 6. Murkowski described the fund as a disruption to planned reconciliation efforts. Paul called the arrangement "unprecedented." Curtis expressed dissatisfaction with Blanche's explanations. One GOP senator texted that "our majority is melting down before our eyes."
• Senate Republicans Oppose Trump’s Anti-Weaponization Fund — Senate Republicans are in open revolt against President Trump's $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, leading to the collapse of their own reconciliation bill. The fund, perceived as a slush fund, has caused significant division within the party, prompting Senate Majority Leader John Thune to send senators home until June. This internal conflict highlights the challenges facing the Republican Party in maintaining unity.
• Todd Blanche met with Republican senators over $1.8 billion criminal slush fund — Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Republican senators to discuss Trump's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund. Sen. Ted Cruz described the meeting as having "fireworks at an epic level" and "one of the roughest meetings" he had seen in the Senate, with senators "screaming at the AG." The fund has been the subject of intense criticism from GOP senators over its purpose and implementation.

Supporting reports

• Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly refused to attend an emergency Oval Office meeting with Trump regarding the weaponization fund controversy, marking a potential first instance of Johnson declining a direct presidential summons. — Trump called Speaker Mike Johnson to an emergency Oval Office meeting to discuss the weaponization fund controversy. According to four aides familiar with the meeting, Johnson refused to attend, potentially marking the first time the Speaker has declined a direct presidential request. A Johnson aide subsequently denied the report. The incident reflects tension between the White House and House leadership over the fund's political viability and fiscal impact.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson adjourned Congress early to prevent war powers vote — House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) sent representatives home a day early to prevent members from passing a war powers resolution that would have ordered Trump to remove U.S. troops from his military operations against Iran. The 1973 War Powers Act permits the president 60 days to conduct military operations before requiring congressional approval; that timeline expired on May 1, 2026. The administration claimed it did not need authorization because it had declared a ceasefire on April 7, though it continued to maintain a blockade against Iranian ports and exchange fire with Iranian forces.

Supporting reports

• House GOP cancels War Powers Resolution vote on Iran — House Republican leaders abruptly canceled a vote on an Iran War Powers Resolution that was likely to pass due to absences of Republican members and others who signaled support for the measure. The cancellation came after the Senate advanced a similar resolution earlier in the week to limit Trump's military action against Iran without congressional approval.
• House Republican leaders delayed Iran war-powers vote past Memorial Day recess — House Republican leaders delayed a vote on the Iran war-powers resolution into June, after appearing to lack the votes to defeat it. The measure's sponsor, Rep. Gregory Meeks, stated he believed it would have passed. A similar House resolution had fallen on a tie vote the week before. The delay postpones a constitutional confrontation over congressional war-declaration authority.
• House Republicans cancel scheduled war powers resolution vote on Iran conflict — House Speaker Mike Johnson canceled a scheduled Thursday vote on a war powers resolution that would have required President Trump to end the US war with Iran. The measure likely would have passed with bipartisan support. Democrats criticized the cancellation as cowardly avoidance of political embarrassment for Trump. The vote has been postponed until June. Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick stated the resolution would pass when brought to a vote again.
• House Republicans adjourned without voting on War Powers resolution — Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-MD) reported that House Republicans did not have the votes to continue the war and decided to adjourn for the holiday instead of stopping the war. While the war continues, American taxpayers are paying tens of billions of dollars, service members are being lost, and gas prices are rising. The House closed up shop without addressing the War Powers resolution.

Supporting reports

• Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene disclosed Trump retaliation for Epstein files discharge petition — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that Trump has "come after us one by one" since she, Thomas Massie, Lauren Boebert, and Nancy Mace signed a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing Epstein files. Greene said the Epstein files remain unreleased and the "Epstein class remains protected." She stated she would never regret signing the petition and said she is resigning because she wants "nothing to do with a President and a Party that bows to the Epstein class."
• DOJ Focuses on Proving 2020 Election Fraud — Todd Blanche has confirmed that the Department of Justice is intensively focused on proving that the 2020 U.S. presidential election was stolen. This focus continues to fuel ongoing debates and controversies surrounding the legitimacy of the election results.
• Deputy AG Todd Blanche stated investigation into 2020 election ongoing — Todd Blanche, Trump's former criminal defense attorney now serving as Deputy Attorney General, appeared on Fox News to discuss an ongoing investigation into the 2020 election. Blanche stated "There's a ton of evidence that the 2020 election was rigged" and that the DOJ has "multiple investigations" underway. When asked if there would be a "definitive answer" as to whether the election was stolen, Blanche responded "We're looking at it and we hope to get one."
• Acting AG claims DOJ investigating 2020 election with "ton of evidence" of rigging — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche claimed on Fox News that the Justice Department is investigating the 2020 presidential election and that "there's a ton of evidence that the election was rigged," adding that the DOJ is "very focused on finding out whether the right people voted." He stated that "incredibly troubling things" the DOJ is supposedly uncovering will be made public "at some point, at the right time."

Supporting reports

• Trump Retaliates Against Republicans Over Epstein Files — Former President Trump is reportedly retaliating against Republican figures, including Thomas Massie, who advocated for the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. This action suggests internal party conflicts and potential misuse of influence to suppress information.
• Trump posts social media message about Iranian surrender amid collapsed negotiations — President Trump posted a social media message containing what the source characterizes as a "delusional fantasy" about Iranian surrender while actual diplomatic negotiations with Iran were collapsing. The post represents a disconnect between Trump's public rhetoric and the deteriorating state of real diplomatic engagement with Iran.
• Trump posts violent and racist imagery on Truth Social — President Trump posted approximately 35 messages on Truth Social overnight, including AI-generated and manipulated images depicting violence against political opponents and racist stereotypes. The posts included AI-generated videos of Trump directing military action against Iran, images of political figures in violent or degrading scenarios, racist caricatures of House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and other inflammatory content. The posts represent a pattern of using the social media platform to disseminate violent and racist imagery targeting political opponents and Democratic leaders.

Supporting reports

• Trump intervenes in Louisiana Senate primary; Cassidy loses to Letlow in first round — Donald Trump encouraged US Representative Julia Letlow to challenge incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy and endorsed her candidacy, attacking Cassidy on social media as "disloyal" and a "terrible guy." In the May 17 primary, Letlow received 45.2% of the vote, Cassidy came third with 24.4%, advancing Letlow and state treasurer John Fleming to a June 27 runoff. Cassidy's vulnerability stemmed from his 2021 vote to convict Trump after January 6 and subsequent breaks with Trump on policy, including his opposition to Trump's surgeon general nominee.
• Sen. Bill Cassidy lost primary runoff after Trump campaign against him — Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump in the 2021 impeachment trial, failed to advance to a runoff in his reelection bid after Trump called for his ouster. Cassidy had voted to confirm RFK Jr. despite personal concerns about vaccine criticism. Trump posted that Cassidy's "disloyalty" and impeachment vote were now "a part of legend" and his political career was "OVER." Cassidy stated in his concession speech that when participating in democracy, one should not "pout," "whine," or "claim the election was stolen."
• Trump posted attack on Rep. Lauren Boebert and threatened to withdraw endorsement — Trump posted on Truth Social attacking Rep. Lauren Boebert for supporting Thomas Massie and called her a "carpetbagger" who moved districts when she could not win in her original district. Trump stated he would consider withdrawing his endorsement of Boebert if "the right person came along" to run against her. Boebert responded that she was not offended and remained committed to supporting Massie and the "America First" agenda.
• Trump posted attack on Rep. Thomas Massie before Tuesday election — Trump posted on social media attacking Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) ahead of Massie's Tuesday election, calling him "The Worst Republican Congressman in History" and urging Kentucky voters to "vote the bum out." Trump criticized Massie for voting against tax cuts, the border wall, military funding, and law enforcement. Massie responded that Trump's attacks indicated he was ahead in polls and that outside billionaires and AIPAC had funneled millions into his race.
• Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Senate primary runoff — After months of deliberation, Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a primary runoff against Senator John Cornyn for Cornyn's Senate seat, scheduled for the following week. Trump called Paxton "a true MAGA Warrior" and criticized Cornyn for not being "supportive of me when times were tough." Political analysts noted the endorsement could benefit the Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico.
• Trump endorses Ken Paxton over John Cornyn — President Donald Trump has endorsed Ken Paxton over John Cornyn, a move that has humiliated Cornyn. This endorsement reflects Trump's influence within the Republican Party and could impact political dynamics and upcoming elections. The endorsement may also signal shifts in party loyalty and internal power struggles.
• Bill Cassidy loses Louisiana Senate primary after Trump endorsement of challenger — Senator Bill Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump after the January 6 insurrection, lost his Louisiana primary race after Trump backed challenger Julia Letlow. The loss reflects Trump's continued purge of Republicans who broke with him on constitutional accountability, extending the pattern of primary defeats for Trump critics across multiple states.
• Brad Raffensperger locked out of Georgia gubernatorial runoff after Trump opposition — Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Trump critic, was eliminated from the Republican gubernatorial primary. Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and billionaire Rick Jackson advanced to a runoff, with the winner to face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms. Raffensperger's defeat represents another primary victory for Trump over a state official who resisted pressure to overturn the 2020 election.
• Thomas Massie defeated in Kentucky Republican House primary by Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein — In Kentucky's fourth congressional district primary, seven-term congressman Thomas Massie, a Trump critic, lost to Ed Gallrein, a retired Navy SEAL recruited by Trump. The race became the most expensive House primary in history at $25.6 million in spending. Trump had campaigned aggressively against Massie, calling him a "moron" and "nut job," dispatching Super PAC operatives and holding a rally denouncing him as "disloyal." Massie had broken with Trump over military action, spending, and the Epstein Files release. Gallrein will face the general election as the overwhelming favorite in the conservative district.
• Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Republican Senate primary runoff — US President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the state's Republican primary runoff against incumbent Senator John Cornyn, calling Paxton an "America First Patriot" and "MAGA Warrior" on Truth Social. The endorsement came ahead of the May 26 runoff election. Trump criticized Cornyn for insufficient support during difficult times and for being "very late" in backing his presidential run. Paxton, a hardliner aligned with Trump's Make America Great Again movement, faces Democrat James Talarico in the general election.
• Trump-backed Ed Gallrein defeats Thomas Massie in Kentucky House primary — Republican congressman Thomas Massie lost his House seat in Kentucky's fourth district primary on Tuesday to Ed Gallrein, a farmer and former Navy SEAL backed by Donald Trump. Trump personally attacked Massie as a "moron," "nut job," and "major sleazebag," and dispatched strategists Chris LaCivita and Tony Fabrizio to lead a PAC supporting Gallrein. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also campaigned for Gallrein. Massie, a 14-year incumbent and Trump critic who led efforts to release the Epstein files and voted against Israel aid, was also targeted by pro-Israel groups spending millions against him.
• Trump intervenes in Republican primaries against incumbent senators — Trump has intervened in Republican primary elections to oppose Republican incumbents he views as insufficiently loyal to him. This pattern of intervention has exacerbated Republican frustration with the White House and contributed to the broader congressional rebellion against the slush fund and immunity agreement.
• Trump-backed candidate defeats Representative Massie in House primary — Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), who led efforts to release the Epstein files, lost his House primary to Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein in what was the most expensive House primary ever, with outside spending reaching $35 million. Gallrein pledged to do whatever Trump tells him to do. The race occurred in a district Trump won by 35 points in 2024, but Gallrein won by only 10 points.
• Trump-backed candidates win primaries in Georgia and Alabama — Trump-backed primary candidates won House primaries in Georgia and Alabama, continuing a pattern of Trump-endorsed challengers defeating or replacing Republican incumbents and candidates who did not demonstrate absolute loyalty to Trump.
• Trump attacked Sen. Thom Tillis over disagreements — Trump posted criticism of Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), calling him "weak and ineffective" and a "Nitpicker" for fighting against Republican Party positions and Trump personally. Trump stated he refused to endorse Tillis for another run due to "too much work and drama," after which Tillis immediately quit the race and announced his retirement. Trump characterized Tillis as screwing the Republican Party with "RINO friends."

Supporting reports

• Trump announced plans for "National Garden of American Heroes" in West Potomac Park — Trump announced via social media that he intends to place his "National Garden of American Heroes" in West Potomac Park. He referenced a 22-foot gold statue of himself at his Doral golf club and compared the project to China's Ballroom, stating the U.S. facility would be "the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the U.S.A." with a scheduled opening around September 2028. The announcement came hours after his return from China.
• Freedom 250 planned events showcasing Trump rather than historical themes for 250th anniversary — Freedom 250 planned anniversary celebration events that prioritized showcasing President Trump over significant historical events and themes. Planned events included an IndyCar race around the National Mall, construction of a triumphal arch near the Lincoln Memorial, an Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House lawn on Trump's 80th birthday in June, and the "Rededicate 250" evangelical worship event.
• Trump administration created Freedom 250 organization to oversee 250th anniversary celebrations outside congressional oversight — In December 2025, President Trump created Freedom 250, a new organization to manage the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations, bypassing the bipartisan America250 commission established by Congress in 2016. The Trump administration allocated $100 million in federal appropriations to Freedom 250 compared to $50 million to America250. Freedom 250 solicited corporate donations in exchange for access to Trump from sponsors including ExxonMobil, Mastercard, Deloitte, Palantir, and IndyCar, with donors permitted to request anonymity.