Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Bo French posts racist image and anti-Indian rhetoric on social media — Bo French, GOP nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner, posted a photo of Indian American students celebrating at a University of Texas football game alongside alarmist anti-Indian rhetoric, claiming "UT graduation this year looked like this" and suggesting demographic replacement. The tweet garnered 47 million views. French has a history of similar posts and has previously called for deportation of 100 million people, a number exceeding the total foreign-born population of the United States.

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• Nate Hochman, fired for Nazi symbol retweet, hired as State Department deputy director — Nate Hochman, a former Ron DeSantis presidential campaign staffer fired in 2023 after retweeting a video featuring a Nazi sonnenrad symbol, was hired earlier this year as deputy director of the State Department's policy planning office under Secretary Marco Rubio. He also serves as Rubio's chief speechwriter. His hiring represents the placement of a person with documented extremist associations into a senior diplomatic position.

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• Lonnie Bunch III announces retirement as Smithsonian secretary amid Trump pressure campaign — Lonnie Bunch III, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution since 2019 and the first African American to lead the institution, announced his retirement effective end of year. Bunch cited personal reasons but acknowledged stress from Trump administration attacks on the museum's content and independence, including a March 2025 executive order accusing the Smithsonian of "divisive, race-centered ideology" and attempts to remove the National Portrait Gallery director. Bunch's replacement will be selected by the Smithsonian's 17-member board of regents.

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• White House launches arcade game promoting Trump administration policies — The White House launched an arcade game Thursday featuring games including "Build the Wall," instructing players to "Protect the border from the coming horde," and "Rio Run," a Snake-style game in which a Trump-like character moves through the Rio Grande gathering figures representing border crossers. Other games promote administration policies on legislation, school food standards, and Trump Accounts.

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• Department of Education posts and deletes Trump-Hitler comparison on social media — The U.S. Department of Education posted on X a caption reading "No one does it like us" with a tiger emoji, accompanied by a mashup of Trump with a clip from the film "Darkest Hour" in which Winston Churchill refers to Adolf Hitler as a tiger. After social media backlash erupted, the department deleted the post.

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• Trump campaign and White House remove Taylor Swift songs from social media posts after copyright/licensing issues — Trump campaign and White House social media accounts posted videos featuring Taylor Swift's songs "August" and references to her "Red" album in August 2026, with accompanying text mocking Swift. The posts were later stripped of audio, silencing the music. Multiple other pop artists' songs (Ariana Grande, Katy Perry, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Kenny Loggins) had similarly been used in Trump administration videos without permission, prompting public objections from the artists. Swift has not commented on the removal.

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• Vice President Vance delays board nominations to allow Trump to substitute conservative candidates — Vice President JD Vance, a member of the Smithsonian's Board of Regents, has delayed action on board nominations because President Trump hoped to substitute more ideologically aligned candidates. Three board vacancies currently exist, with three more opening in October. The board nominates its own members and sends names to Congress for approval. Trump and Congressional Republicans are focused on stacking the board with conservatives to gain control over museum leadership.

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• Sean Hannity delivered eulogy at Senator Lindsey Graham's funeral focused on Trump — At Senator Lindsey Graham's funeral service, Fox News host Sean Hannity delivered the eulogy, which centered on praising Trump and comparing Graham's heavenly mansion to Trump's Mar-a-Lago, including references to gold and ballrooms. The eulogy was criticized for turning a memorial service into a tribute to the president rather than focusing on Graham's life and legacy.
• Trump fell asleep during Senator Graham's funeral service — During the funeral service for Senator Lindsey Graham, Trump fell asleep in public while another speaker was addressing the audience about Graham rather than about Trump. This occurred in the middle of the day during the formal proceedings.

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• White House used Katy Perry's "Firework" to soundtrack military strikes on TikTok — Singer Katy Perry stated that the White House used her song "Firework" without permission as a backing track for video footage of military strikes posted on the White House TikTok account. Perry stated she did not approve the use, was not asked, and does not condone it. She characterized the use as a "complete violation" of the song's intended message of hope, healing, and inner strength, and objected to her music being "weaponized to soundtrack destruction and violence."

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• Trump orders Interior Department to display signs outside Smithsonian Museum of American History — President Trump issued an order directing Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to coordinate with the National Park Service and White House domestic policy staff to install temporary signs outside the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The signs are to notify visitors that museum exhibits require renovation and direct them to alternative sources for American history information. A separate directive requires signs criticizing the museum's commemoration of the Declaration of Independence during its 250th anniversary. The order follows Trump's broader campaign against the Smithsonian, which he accuses of politicizing history by emphasizing American injustices rather than triumphant moments.
• Trump signs executive order directing federal agencies to install signage at Smithsonian's National Museum of American History warning visitors of alleged "ideological capture" and mandating exhibit corrections. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14416 on July 24, 2026, directing the Secretary of the Interior, OMB Director, GSA Administrator, and Domestic Policy Assistant to use all available authorities to "restore trust" in the Smithsonian Institution. The order mandates installation of temporary signage on National Park Service–maintained sidewalks and walkways warning visitors that Museum exhibits reflect "ideological capture" and directing them to alternative sources for "accurate" American history. The order also requires temporary exhibits or signage correcting what the administration deems inaccurate information, citing the Museum's alleged failure to honor the Declaration of Independence signers during the 250th anniversary year.
• Trump issues executive order directing federal agencies to "restore trust" in Smithsonian Institution and install signage criticizing its exhibits — President Trump issued Executive Order 14254 on July 24, 2026, directing the Secretary of the Interior, OMB Director, GSA Administrator, and Domestic Policy Assistant to use all available authorities to address findings in a Domestic Policy Council report alleging "ideological capture" at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. The order mandates installation of temporary signage on National Park Service-maintained walkways warning visitors of alleged bias in museum exhibits and directing them to alternative historical resources. The order frames the Smithsonian's approach to American history as advancing "social justice" rather than presenting history as "shared national inheritance."
• Trump signed executive order directing federal agencies to install signage at Smithsonian museum warning of "ideological capture" — President Trump signed Executive Order 14416 on July 24, 2026, directing the Secretary of the Interior, OMB Director, GSA Administrator, and Domestic Policy Assistant to use all available authorities to "restore trust" in the Smithsonian Institution and its National Museum of American History. The order mandates installation of temporary signage on National Park Service-maintained walkways informing visitors of findings from a Domestic Policy Council report titled "Saving America's Story," which claims the museum presents American history as a tool for "social justice" rather than as "shared national inheritance." The order also directs installation of corrective exhibits or signage on NPS land.
• White House issued fact sheet promoting executive order on Smithsonian Institution governance — The White House published a fact sheet on July 24, 2026, describing an executive order signed by President Trump directing the Secretary of the Interior, OMB Director, GSA Administrator, and Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy to "restore trust" in the Smithsonian Institution. The order directs installation of temporary signage and exhibits correcting what the administration characterizes as "inaccurate information" in the National Museum of American History. The fact sheet claims the Smithsonian has been captured by "extreme political activism, rooted in Marxism" and asserts the order aims to restore "truth" to the nation's historical narrative.
• White House issues "What They Are Saying" compilation on Ratepayer Protection Pledge expansion — The White House published a compilation of statements from utility executives, state governors, federal officials, and industry groups endorsing an expansion of the administration's Ratepayer Protection Pledge announced at EPA Headquarters on July 24, 2026. The pledge commits signatories to ensure that data center and AI infrastructure costs do not increase electricity rates for existing residential and business customers. The document presents no new policy instrument but aggregates third-party endorsements of the pledge previously announced.

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• Stephen Miller Launches Global Campaign Against "Radical Left Terrorism" — White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller delivered a speech launching the Trump administration's global campaign against so-called "radical left terrorism." The speech was characterized as "characteristically apocalyptic and authoritarian" and served to advance Miller's ideological agenda against perceived political opponents.
• Deputy White House Chief of Staff Miller delivered speech dehumanizing political opponents based on appearance — Stephen Miller addressed State Department attendees and claimed that antifa demonstrators are uniformly "deformed" in appearance, dress, and mannerism, stating "not one of the people that is demonstrating looks like a normal person" and attributing their appearance to inner hatred. Miller's rhetoric directly paralleled language from the "Unhumans" book introduction, which describes left-wing opponents as "ugly deformed freaks."

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• Senator Blackburn releases anti-China campaign ad destroying fortune cookies — Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), campaigning for Tennessee governor, released a campaign advertisement in which she destroys fortune cookies in a Chinese restaurant to demonstrate her anti-communist credentials. The ad's narrator states: "Marsha Blackburn worked with President Trump to take on Communist China. As Governor, Marsha will fight to protect TN land from Chinese front companies, close loopholes, and hunt down every communist who tries to defy us." Blackburn states: "It doesn't take a fortune cookie to figure it out. Here in TN, we're going to stop Communist China and protect TN land." The bulletin notes that fortune cookies were invented in California.

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• Trump posted video depicting himself on Mt. Rushmore sculpture — Before his trip to South Dakota, Trump posted a video showing his own likeness on a golden sculpture of Mt. Rushmore, alongside images of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, with voiceover stating "I will be the greatest president for many, many years to come." The video opened with text reading "Art of the vision" over an American flag.

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• White House releases 162-page report attacking Smithsonian Institution's historical interpretation — The White House Domestic Policy Council released a 162-page report on July 4, 2026, arguing that the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of American History "cannot be trusted to tell America's story honestly." The report criticizes the museum for "extreme political activism," "anti-White activism," "transgender activism," and supporting illegal immigration. It accuses the museum of presenting slavery too negatively and failing to adequately credit Christian moral philosophy in the founding. The report recommends exhibits be altered to reflect its findings.

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• Federal grant funded "Freedom Trucks" with sanitized history exhibits — Six traveling "Freedom Trucks" fanned out for the 250th anniversary with exhibits created by conservative groups including Hillsdale College and PragerU, featuring AI-generated historical figures and messaging that rights are a "gift from God." The trucks received a $14 million federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services paired with $10 million from Freedom 250. The exhibits omit slavery, Native removal, labor history, and civil rights, presenting a narrow, sanitized version of American history using public funds.

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• Trump posted AI images depicting authoritarian iconography — Trump's social media account posted a series of AI-generated images depicting Trump alongside historical figures (George Washington, Mount Rushmore presidents, King Charles, Xi Jinping), as a superhero admiral, dunking over Governor Kathy Hochul, and in 1950s-style Dick and Jane imagery showing an all-white America labeled "AMERICA IS BACK!" He also posted images contrasting "Biden's America" (depicting theft, violence, illegal immigration) with "Trump's solutions" (showing imprisonment, arrest, deportation).

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• Artists withdrew from Trump America 250 anniversary concert — Artists booked for Trump's America 250 anniversary concert withdrew after learning the event was backed by Trump. Young MC, known for the song "Bust a Move," stated clearly he was never told about the political involvement and is not performing. The withdrawals indicate artists' refusal to participate in events they perceive as political propaganda.
• Multiple artists withdraw from Trump's Great American State Fair — Several artists announced they would not perform at Trump's "Great American State Fair" scheduled for June 25–July 10 on the National Mall after learning the event was politically affiliated despite organizers' claims of non-partisanship. Young MC stated he was never informed of political involvement and withdrew. Morris Day and The Time, Milli Vanilli, and The Commodores all declined to perform, with The Commodores stating they "choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party." Martina McBride withdrew after discovering the event was "misleading" about its non-partisan nature. Only Vanilla Ice confirmed attendance among the announced performers.
• Multiple artists withdrew from Trump's Freedom 250 concert citing misleading nonpartisan description — Multiple musical artists withdrew from Trump's Freedom 250 concert on May 29, 2026, including Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Young MC, Morris Day and the Time, and the Commodores. Each cited the same reason: they were told the event was nonpartisan but discovered it had political involvement. McBride stated she was "presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading." Michaels said it was described as "a celebration of our country through music." Young MC said artists were "never told about any political involvement." The Commodores stated their music has "always been their voice" and they choose not to affiliate publicly with any single political party.
• Multiple artists canceled performances at Trump's 250th birthday event — More than a dozen artists announced cancellations of performances scheduled for President Trump's 250th birthday celebration event in Washington, D.C., scheduled for next month. Bret Michaels stated the event had evolved into something "much more divisive" than the celebration of country and veterans he had agreed to. By late May, only three performers remained committed: C+C Music Factory, Flo Rida, and Vanilla Ice. Kennedy Center Director Ric Grenell responded to artist Martina McBride's withdrawal by calling her a "woke lefty."

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• Trump administration held taxpayer-funded evangelical worship event on National Mall as part of 250th anniversary celebration — Thousands gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for an eight-hour taxpayer-funded evangelical worship event called "Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving." President Trump, Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Gabbard, and Defense Secretary Hegseth spoke on video; House Speaker Mike Johnson spoke in person. Nineteen clergy and faith leaders participated, nearly all Christian evangelicals. The event promoted the claim that the United States was founded as a Christian nation, contradicting the 1796 Treaty of Tripoli and the Founders' explicit separation of church and state.
• "Rededicate 250" National Jubilee of Prayer held in Washington, DC — A religious and political event called the "Rededicate 250" National Jubilee of Prayer was held in Washington, DC on May 17, 2026. Speaker Mike Johnson delivered a prayer rejecting what he characterized as "sinister ideologies" and attacks on American history and spiritual identity. Trump submitted a prerecorded message that was widely criticized for poor audio and visual quality. The event featured religious leaders including Franklin Graham and Eric Metaxas speaking on themes of national spiritual renewal and opposition to what they termed cultural degradation.

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• Trump and Melania called for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired over a joke — On April 23, Jimmy Kimmel aired a joke about First Lady Melania Trump's appearance on his ABC late-night show. Two days later, after an assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, Trump and Melania publicly called for Kimmel's firing on April 27, characterizing the joke as "hateful," "violent rhetoric," and a "call to violence." FCC Chairman Brendan Carr also pressured ABC to take action. Kimmel denied the joke was a call to assassination.
• Melania Trump issued statement attacking Jimmy Kimmel and demanding ABC take action against him — Melania Trump issued a social media statement attacking late-night host Jimmy Kimmel for a joke made at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner two days prior. Kimmel had joked that Melania had "a glow like an expectant widow." Melania characterized Kimmel's monologue as "hateful and violent rhetoric," called him a "coward," and demanded that ABC network take action to prevent him from broadcasting, stating "People like Kimmel shouldn't have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate."
• FCC Chair Carr threatened ABC affiliates over Jimmy Kimmel — FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened ABC affiliates with enforcement action regarding Jimmy Kimmel's comments about Melania Trump, stating "We can do this the easy way or the hard way." The FCC subsequently launched a review of Disney's broadcast licenses years ahead of the normal schedule. The threat and accelerated review appear coordinated with the president's demand for Kimmel's firing.
• Trump and Melania called for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired — President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump called on Disney and ABC to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over a video in which Kimmel jokingly called Melania an "expectant widow." Trump characterized the joke as a "despicable call to violence." The incident prompted FCC Chair Brendan Carr to threaten ABC affiliates with enforcement action, stating "We can do this the easy way or the hard way," and the FCC subsequently launched a review of Disney's broadcast licenses ahead of schedule.
• Trump called for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired over joke — Trump and Melania called for late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to be fired over a joke, according to reporting covered in the briefing's Wednesday section on buried political stories.

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• American Library Association reports record 5,668 books banned from US libraries in 2025 — The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom documented 5,668 books banned from US libraries in 2025, with an additional 920 censored through access restrictions. Challenges targeted 4,235 unique titles. The report found that 92% of challenges came from pressure groups, decision-makers, or government officials—a significant increase from 72% in 2024—and that 40% of challenged materials involved LGBTQ+ people or people of color. The most-banned book was Sold by Patricia McCormick.

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• Trump posted graphic video of woman's murder with anti-immigrant rhetoric — At 7:49 p.m., President Trump's social media account posted a graphic video depicting a man killing a woman with a hammer. The accompanying text attacked Haitian immigrants, former President Joe Biden, and "the Radical Democrats in Congress," echoing what the article describes as "vicious racism" used to feed his base. The post came hours after the First Lady's unexpected press conference about Jeffrey Epstein.
• Trump Posts Graphic Video on Social Media — On April 9, 2026, President Trump shared a graphic video depicting violence, accompanied by a message targeting Haitian immigrants and former President Joe Biden. The post was seen as an attempt to rally his base through provocative imagery and rhetoric.

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• Trump attacks Bruce Springsteen and calls for concert boycott — President Trump attacked musician Bruce Springsteen on April 2, 2026, calling him a "dried up prune" with a bad plastic surgeon and urging MAGA supporters to boycott his concerts. The attack occurred while Trump was overseeing a regional war, managing a collapsing Strait of Hormuz situation, and responding to oil prices exceeding $113 per barrel.

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• Fox host Levin and former Fox host Kelly engaged in extended personal attacks on social media — Fox host Mark Levin and former Fox host Megyn Kelly continued a prolonged exchange of personal attacks on social media. Levin called Kelly "emotionally unhinged, lewd, and petulant" and said she was "completely revealed and destroyed." Kelly responded with crude personal insults. Levin responded with further attacks. Kelly documented that Levin has posted about her over 100 times since November while she has responded only 6 times, and accused him of obsessive, misogynistic attacks. Kelly noted that Fox allows this behavior.

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• US Department of Education displays Charlie Kirk banner at DC headquarters — The US Department of Education hung large banners outside its Washington DC building on March 1, including one featuring an image of late far-right commentator Charlie Kirk alongside historical educators Catharine Beecher and Booker T. Washington. The banner reads "Empowering our States to tell the Stories of our Heroes in American Education." Kirk, who was killed in September 2025, co-founded Turning Point USA and made racist and sexist comments throughout his career. The display has drawn criticism given Kirk's polarizing record and his prior calls to abolish the Department of Education.

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• Trump posted deleted video depicting Obama and Michelle as apes — Trump posted a video depicting former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes, which he subsequently deleted. When asked about the video, Obama stated that the majority of the American people find such behavior deeply troubling, though it gets attention and serves as a distraction. Obama noted that some people still believe in decency, courtesy, and kindness, contrasting this with the "clown show" happening on social media and television.