Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump declared "Artificial Intelligence" terminology an enemy position — Trump posted that the White House considers anyone using the term "Artificial Intelligence" rather than "Super Intelligence" to be "THE ENEMY." The statement represents an attempt to control language and terminology used in public discourse and government.
• Trump labeled those refusing to use "Super Intelligence" terminology as enemies — Following a recent executive order directing federal agencies to replace "AI" (Artificial Intelligence) with "SI" (Super Intelligence) in communications, Trump publicly labeled those who refuse to adopt the preferred terminology as "THE ENEMY" and enemies of the White House. The order represents an attempt to control language use across federal agencies.

Supporting reports

• Trump campaign promises $5,000 dividend checks to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans win midterm elections — At a Republican midterm convention in Dallas on September 9, Trump promised to distribute $5,000 checks to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans win control of Congress, calling it the "Trump Dividend." The payout would cost approximately $1.2–1.3 trillion and would require congressional approval. Trump did not explain funding mechanisms. Multiple Republican lawmakers and observers noted the promise contradicts constitutional authority and echoes unfulfilled prior pledges (DOGE dividend, tariff rebates, stimulus checks).
• Trump suggests renaming geographic features after himself at convention speech — During the Dallas convention speech on September 9, Trump proposed renaming the Hormuz Strait the "Trump Strait," Lake Michigan "Lake America," and New Mexico "New America." He stated "I should get something out of it" regarding the strait naming and joked about personal financial benefit from geographic rebranding.
• VP Vance interviewed on Fox about $5,000 dividend promise — Fox host Bret Baier interviewed VP JD Vance after Trump's convention speech on September 9. When asked how a $1.3 trillion dividend payout would be funded without bankrupting the country, Vance claimed tariffs had generated substantial revenue and that the president was offering to share wealth created by his policies. A Community Note fact-check on X noted that annual tariff revenue (under $300 billion) cannot fund a $1.3 trillion payout and that previous cash dividend promises were never delivered.
• Trump claimed Iran war will end after midterm elections — Trump told reporters that Iran is prolonging the war to influence U.S. midterm elections and that he expects the conflict to end and gas prices to decline once the elections conclude. He stated, "They can't hold out any longer" and characterized Iran as "desperate to try and affect the election." However, Wall Street Journal reporting revealed that Trump's top advisors, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have warned him the Iran war could continue through the remainder of his term. Hegseth has already extended troop deployments in the Middle East and planned additional extensions.
• Trump promised $5,000 checks to all adults if Republicans win midterms — At the "Trumpapaloosa" midterm convention in Dallas, Trump promised that if Republicans win the midterm elections, his administration will distribute $5,000 checks to all adult Americans. Trump branded the proposal the "Trump Dividend" and attributed it to "our tremendous strength and success economically." The plan would cost more than a trillion dollars and would require congressional approval, which Trump did not acknowledge.
• Trump pledges $5,000 payment to voters if Republicans win midterms — At the Republican National Convention in Dallas on September 10, President Trump promised a $5,000 check to every U.S. adult citizen if Republicans win the midterm elections. The pledge is widely understood within Trump's own circle as non-credible; no similar payments have been distributed during his second term despite prior promises. The announcement occurred during a lengthy speech that included incoherent remarks and calls for audience loyalty pledges.
• Trump Dividend: America Is Winning — and Americans Should Win With It — The White House published this release on 2026-09-10 through its releases channel.
• FDA announces priority review voucher fee rate for fiscal year 2027 — The Food and Drug Administration published a notice establishing the fiscal year 2027 fee rate for using priority review vouchers at $1,798,596. This fee applies to applications for tropical disease, rare pediatric disease, or material threat medical countermeasure products submitted with a priority review voucher, in addition to standard Prescription Drug User Fee Act fees. The rate is effective October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, and was calculated based on the difference between average costs of priority and standard drug application reviews in fiscal year 2025, adjusted for cost increases.
• Trump gave cash gifts to executive assistant and staff — Trump gave his executive assistant Natalie Harp and two other young female employees gifts totaling $45,000 in cash last year, approximately one-third of their $150,000 annual salary. He also gave $20,000 to Walt Nauta, his co-defendant in the classified documents case. Richard Painter, chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, stated the gifts appear to violate federal law prohibiting federal employees from receiving salary supplements from outside sources. Don Fox, acting director of the Office of Government Ethics under Obama, said the legality was unclear because such payments were not previously envisioned by OGE.
• Trump claimed he may not need congressional approval for $5,000 checks — During a backstage Fox News interview at the RNC convention, Trump was asked about the $5,000 dividend proposal. He responded that "there are a lot of people who think I don't even need congressional approval because we've made so much money," suggesting he might implement the policy unilaterally without legislative authorization.
• Trump claimed oil prices would drop after military conflict — Trump told reporters at the RNC convention that oil prices would drop "very rapidly" once the U.S. wins "the military conflict or war," and that he was "pretty sure" this would happen shortly after the election. The bulletin notes he has made similar claims for seven months while oil prices have continued to rise.
• Ron DeSantis criticized Trump's $5,000 check proposal — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis publicly denounced Trump's proposal to deliver $5,000 checks to Americans if Republicans hold their ground in the midterm elections. DeSantis warned that the infusion of cash would stir more inflation and expressed concern about borrowing an additional $1.5 trillion and flooding it into the economy.
• Trump claimed $5,000 checks would be funded by growth — During a press availability at the RNC convention in Dallas on September 11, Trump was asked how he would pay for proposed $5,000 checks to Americans. He responded that the checks would be funded by economic growth, and when asked about deficit impact, he said he was not worried about it. Economic data cited in the bulletin indicates GDP growth is weak.

Supporting reports

• Trump falsely claimed vandals damaged reflecting pool — On Friday night and Saturday morning, Trump posted on social media that "Radical Left Lunatics" and "Dumocrats" had vandalized the reflecting pool, claiming vandals used "some form of a knife or blade" to create a "250 foot long gash" and poured "corrosive and destructive chemicals" into the water. He stated multiple people had been arrested for vandalism. However, no evidence of such vandalism was offered, multiple cameras line the mall, and workers were visibly dumping hydrogen peroxide into the pool to kill algae caused by the failed renovation.
• Trump announces immediate repair work on Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool — President Trump announced on Sunday that repair work would begin "immediately" on the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington DC, which has suffered algae blooms and peeling paint following a $14.2 million renovation. Trump blamed vandals for the damage, claiming five people had been arrested and another five issued federal citations. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that those caught vandalizing would face criminal prosecution. Trump stated the pool would likely need to be drained for repairs.
• Algae bloom returned to Reflecting Pool — The Atlantic reported that after the Interior Department claimed to have "killed the algae" in the Reflecting Pool, a new type of algae—Scenedesmus, a green algae nicknamed "Skinny Dead Mouse" by scientists—began flourishing. The treatments being used (hydrogen peroxide and nanobubble technology) were more effective against blue-green algae and were not discouraging the new green algae growth. Scientists noted that the decision to paint the pool bottom a deep blue shade raised water temperature and accelerated algae growth.
• Reflecting Pool coating peeling and failing — The New York Times reported that the Reflecting Pool's new coating was failing, with large chunks peeling off the basin. The coating was missing at least two large sections, with one gap about the size of a park bench and a sheet several inches long flapping in the waves. The underlying original concrete basin was visible beneath the peeling coating. The pool's appearance was described as "rejecting its makeover."
• Trump blamed vandals for Reflecting Pool damage in third post — Trump posted on Truth Social for the third time about the Reflecting Pool, stating: "Work will begin immediately on fixing the seriously vandalized Reflecting Pool. I just inspected it, and could only say to myself, and those gathered around me, WOW, who would do such a thing? SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE! We will fix it?" Trump blamed unidentified vandals rather than acknowledging responsibility for the failed project.
• Trump described alleged Reflecting Pool vandalism in detail — Trump posted on Truth Social describing alleged vandalism of the Reflecting Pool in detail, claiming vandals had used "some form of knife or blade" to create a 250-foot gash in the pool's facade and had poured "corrosive and destructive chemicals" into the pool. Trump characterized the damage as an affront to the work and money invested in the project.
• Trump announced additional arrests for Reflecting Pool vandalism — Trump posted on Truth Social that many additional people had been arrested for vandalism of the Reflecting Pool. Trump characterized the vandalism as "disgraceful" and "a true affront to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln." Trump stated that contractors would likely be forced to drain much of the water to complete repairs.
• Trump blamed Antifa for Reflecting Pool damage and announced arrests — Trump posted on Truth Social that US Park Police arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial. Trump blamed the vandalism on Antifa and announced that work would begin immediately on repairs. Trump claimed vandals had created a 250-foot gash in the pool's facade and poured corrosive chemicals into the water.
• Trump blamed Antifa for Reflecting Pool vandalism — Trump posted on Truth Social that the US Park Police arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing the Reflecting Pool and blamed the vandalism on Antifa. Trump claimed vandals had created a 250-foot gash in the pool's facade and poured corrosive chemicals into the water. Trump announced that work would begin immediately on repairs and that those responsible would face years in jail.
• Trump Blames Vandalism for Reflecting Pool Issues — Following the completion of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovations, President Trump claimed on June 20, 2026, that "Radical Left Lunatics" were responsible for vandalism at the site, despite no evidence being presented. He suggested that serious crimes had occurred, which he attributed to multiple individuals.
• Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool maintenance escalates amid controversy — The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool situation escalated, with reports of a foul smell and President Trump blaming "vandals" for the pool's condition. The controversy centers on the maintenance and cleanliness of the iconic national monument, with Trump attributing the problem to vandalism rather than administrative failure.
• Trump blamed vandalism for Reflecting Pool damage and threatened 10-year prison sentences — Trump posted on Truth Social claiming the Reflecting Pool's damage—including a 300-foot gash, chemical contamination, and an "86 47" carved into the grass—resulted from vandalism, not construction failure. He threatened 10-year prison sentences for destruction of federal monuments and stated five people were under investigation. Civil engineers and coating specialists disputed this, attributing the damage to improper surface preparation, adhesion failure, and inadequate curing time by Trump's contractor.
• Trump blamed "SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE" for Reflecting Pool damage — Trump doubled down on claims that vandalism by "SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE" caused the Reflecting Pool's problems. Administration officials stationed National Guard personnel around the Reflecting Pool and appeared to be issuing citations to individuals who touched the water. When questioned about the project's cost escalation from one million dollars in April to sixteen and a half million dollars two months later, Trump deflected by attacking former President Obama's prior repairs to the pool.
• Trump announced false claims of vandalism at the Reflecting Pool with escalating damage estimates — Trump claimed vandals had damaged the Reflecting Pool with a "gash" that he described as growing from 250 feet to 350 feet in length, allegedly using sharp implements and chemicals. He threatened 10-year prison sentences for the destruction and claimed to possess photographic evidence. No evidence of sabotage exists, and cameras monitor the pool. The Interior Department subsequently placed fencing around the Reflecting Pool in response to Trump's claims.
• Trump posted false claims about Reflecting Pool vandalism and spending history — Trump posted on Truth Social claiming six people were arrested and seven cited for vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, describing a "350 foot gash" made by knife or razors. He also claimed Obama and Biden spent over $100 million on the pool that "never worked" and that he spent $16 million to make it "come out great." The article notes Obama and Biden did not spend anything close to $100 million on the pool. Trump also announced plans to sue ABC News for $16 million in alleged past bad reporting.
• Trump claims vandalism at DC reflecting pool; acknowledges July 4 repair deadline may not be met — President Trump acknowledged that repairs to the algae-stricken Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool may not be completed before July 4, when he plans a major 250th birthday celebration on the National Mall. Trump claimed without evidence that vandals with knives damaged the pool, stating six people had been arrested and seven cited. National Park Service documents reviewed by the New York Times indicated damage was discovered days after the pool was refilled on June 5, but did not link it to the algae outbreak or the blue coating. The pool's renovation, ordered by the Trump administration at $14.2 million, has become emblematic of broader concerns about wasteful spending.
• Interior Department spokesperson attributes pool damage to "leftist activists" without evidence — Katie Martin, an Interior Department spokesperson, told the Associated Press that fencing erected around the reflecting pool was brought forward due to an "increase in vandalism by leftist activists." She offered no evidence to support this characterization. The fencing had been originally scheduled for installation ahead of the Fourth of July but was accelerated following Trump's initial insistence that vandals were responsible for the pool's deterioration.
• Trump claims sabotage at Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool without substantiating evidence — President Trump alleged that vandals deliberately damaged the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool's lining with a "350-foot gash," claiming it was done "criminally" and "in the dark of night." He posted an image on Truth Social purporting to show the pool before refilling and promised the Department of the Interior would release photographic and video evidence. As of Wednesday afternoon, no such evidence had materialized. The New York Times obtained government documents indicating peeling paint and algae blooms were not intentionally caused. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal requested documents from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and National Park Service acting director Jessica Bowron, citing "blatant corruption" and "lack of transparency."
• White House issues release on Reflecting Pool vandalism incident — The White House issued a promotional release characterizing vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as a deliberate "targeted sabotage" by "anti-American" actors. The release states that surveillance video captured suspects, at least seven individuals have been arrested, seven others issued federal citations, and 18 police reports filed. It claims the Trump Administration deployed "advanced nanobubble ozone technology" to neutralize algae and repair damage. The release frames the incident as vindication of the President's prior statements and criticizes media coverage.

Supporting reports

• Wall Street Journal publishes report on Trump's declining health and contradictory medical statements — The Wall Street Journal published an investigative report detailing concerns among Trump's associates about visible signs of aging and health decline. The report documented Trump's contradictory explanations for bruising and bandages on his hands, his claims about excessive aspirin use, and conflicting statements about advanced medical imaging (MRI vs. CT scan). When the Journal requested an interview with Trump's physician Sean Barbabella, the White House refused to grant access.
• Wall Street Journal publishes article on Trump's signs of aging — The Wall Street Journal published an article by Annie Linskey, Josh Dawsey, and Meridith McGraw documenting signs of aging in President Donald Trump, who at 79 is the oldest man to assume the presidency. The article reports that Trump gets little sleep, has been recorded falling asleep at public events, appears to have trouble hearing, does not exercise regularly, and maintains a diet heavy on salty and fatty foods. Trump called the authors to express irritation about the public debate over his health.
• Wall Street Journal reports Trump health concerns and medication regimen — The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump takes more aspirin than doctors recommend, briefly tried compression socks for ankle swelling but stopped because he disliked them, and regrets undergoing advanced imaging because it generated health scrutiny. The report documented that Trump gets little sleep, has struggled to keep his eyes open during televised events, strains to hear in meetings, lacks regular exercise, and consumes a diet heavy on salty and fatty foods. Trump has covered bruising with makeup and concealed other health ailments. A cardiologist dismissed Trump's aspirin regimen as medically unsound.