Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Pentagon allocates $58.5bn to AI research under former Uber executive oversight — The Trump administration's defense budget allocates $58.5bn to artificial intelligence research, overseen by Emil Michael, former Uber executive and head of the Pentagon's research and engineering division. Michael, while in his first months in office, reportedly made millions in profits—between 400% and 4,800%—on his personal investment in Elon Musk's xAI company, creating a potential conflict of interest between his Pentagon role and private financial interests in AI ventures.
• Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital allocates $20bn under private equity leadership — The Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital, functioning as a private equity arm of the Department of Defense, is allocated $20bn in the Trump budget. The office is presided over by a former employee of Cerberus Capital, the private equity firm formerly headed by Deputy Secretary of Defense Stephen Feinberg. Last year, the office committed $620m to a mining company backed by a fund tied to Trump's son Donald Jr., exemplifying the blending of private equity interests with defense spending.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration drains Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool again; awards repeat contracts without competitive bidding — Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that crews were draining the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool for a second time to address algae blooms, peeling paint, and debris from Independence Day fireworks. The Trump administration plans to award the same contractors—Green Water Solutions ($1.7m) and Atlantic Industrial Coatings ($14.7m)—without seeking competitive bids. The project's estimated cost has exceeded $16m. Democratic lawmakers are investigating the pool's renovation, including questions about taxpayer funding and contractor selection practices.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration awarded $103 million in federal contracts for 250th anniversary celebrations — Trump administration officials and allies seized funds Congress appropriated for celebrations honoring the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence signing and awarded nearly $103 million in federal contracts and grants to politicized entities under the control of Trump administration officials and political allies—nearly 80% of the $126 million total funding for the semiquincentenary celebrations. Private funding, including from corporations with issues pending before the administration, also poured money into Trump's events.

Supporting reports

• Washington Post reported corporate donors to Trump ballroom project received federal contracts — A watchdog report detailed that more than half of the publicly identified corporate donors to Trump's White House ballroom project received new or expanded federal contracts worth collectively over $50 billion. Fourteen of 27 known corporate donors secured additional federal business following their contributions. Lockheed Martin received approximately $43.8 billion in new contracts; Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Palantir also received increased federal contracts. Many donating companies simultaneously faced federal enforcement actions that were eased or suspended under the Trump administration.
• Fourteen Trump ballroom project donors won over $50 billion in federal contracts — According to reporting by Jonathan Edwards of the Washington Post on June 4, 2026, fourteen of the twenty-seven known donors to Trump's $400 million ballroom project have won new or expanded federal contracts totaling over $50 billion since making their donations. The pattern suggests a direct correlation between donations to the president's personal project and receipt of federal contract awards.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon loan of $620 million pushed through for Trump Jr.-linked company — ProPublica reported that a top White House aide intervened to expedite a $620 million Pentagon loan for a small North Carolina startup linked to Donald Trump Jr. A person involved in the transaction told ProPublica: "The call came from the White House: We have to get this done." The company's valuation jumped from approximately $200 million to billions following the White House intervention, indicating the loan was granted on terms favorable to Trump family interests rather than merit-based criteria.
• Pentagon awarded $620 million loan to Trump Jr.-linked startup via White House request — ProPublica reported that the Pentagon awarded a $620 million loan to Vulcan Elements, a North Carolina startup linked to Donald Trump Jr., following a direct request from Peter Navarro, a White House adviser and friend of Trump Jr. The Pentagon and the company initially denied any political favoritism, with Trump Jr.'s spokesperson claiming he was not involved. However, interviews and DOD records show Navarro initiated the loan request, and Vulcan's was the only deal among dozens of Pentagon funding considerations that originated from a top presidential aide. Pentagon staff worked at an unusually rapid pace with minimal sleep to complete the loan in a matter of weeks after receiving the White House directive.
• Trump trade advisor pressures Pentagon to loan $620 million to company with Trump Jr. stake — Trump's trade advisor Peter Navarro personally pressured the Pentagon to loan $620 million to Vulcan Elements, a North Carolina startup in which Donald Trump Jr. holds a financial stake. The Pentagon invested $620 million in Vulcan, a rare-earth magnet company, and another $80 million in its partner ReElement. The Commerce Department provided $50 million in additional incentives, and the government took a $50 million stake in Vulcan. When Trump Jr.'s venture capital firm 1789 Capital invested in August 2025, Vulcan was valued at approximately $200 million; after government investments, the valuation jumped to around $2 billion.
• Pentagon Approves $620 Million Loan to Trump Jr. Company at White House Direction — ProPublica reported that a $620 million loan approved by the Pentagon to a company linked to Donald Trump Jr. was initiated by White House adviser Peter Navarro, with a Pentagon source stating, "The call came from the White House: We have to get this done." The loan was approved last year and represents a direct intervention by the White House in Pentagon contracting decisions.

Supporting reports

• Appeal filed — Institute for Applied Ecology v. Burgum (D. Or.) 6:25-cv-02364 — The government appealed the March 12, 2026, preliminary injunction to the Ninth Circuit (Case No. 26-3011 ).
• Complaint filed — Cultural Landscape Foundation v. U.S. Department of the Interior — The Cultural Landscape Foundation and Charles A. Birnbaum filed a complaint in D.D.C. challenging the National Park Service's decision to resurface the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool basin with vivid blue coating without following mandatory consultation and environmental review processes. The NPS awarded a $6.9 million no-bid contract in mid-April 2026 without completing required procedures under the National Historic Preservation Act and National Environmental Policy Act. Plaintiffs allege violations of the Administrative Procedure Act and seek injunctive relief, vacatur of agency decisions, and restoration of the pool's historic elements.
• Federal Lawsuit Filed Over Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool — A federal lawsuit has been filed concerning the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The details of the lawsuit have not been disclosed, but it involves federal oversight and management of the historic site. This legal action could have implications for federal property management and public access to national monuments.
• Former DOJ employees filed emergency lawsuit to halt Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool repainting — A litigation team of former DOJ employees filed an emergency lawsuit seeking to halt and reverse Trump's repainting of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The suit alleged that the administration engaged a swimming pool contractor to resurface the pool with vivid blue coating without following congressionally mandatory Section 106 procedures required for changes to historic properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The lawsuit noted the pool was a character-defining feature of the historic landscape and the site of the 1963 March on Washington. The contract was awarded as a $6.9 million no-bid deal to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, which had performed work at Trump's golf club in Sterling, Virginia.

Supporting reports

• Trump awarded no-bid contract for Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool repairs — Trump awarded a $6.9 million no-bid contract to Atlantic Industrial Coatings to reseal joints, waterproof, and paint the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. The company had never won a federal contract before but had worked at one of Trump's golf clubs. Trump bypassed the required competitive bidding and review process by invoking an exemption designed for emergencies, citing the need to complete work before the July 4, 2026 Declaration of Independence anniversary. The contract price is more than triple the $1.8 million Trump initially promised, and officials estimate the repairs will last 7–10 years rather than the 50 years Trump claimed.
• Cost of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool project increased 88 percent to $13.1 million — According to New York Times reporting, the cost of Trump's plan to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool jumped 88 percent to $13.1 million. Government records showed the price appeared to include a 20 percent profit margin for Trump's handpicked contractor, who received the job via no-bid contract.

Supporting reports

• Deputy Defense Secretary Feinberg consolidates control over Pentagon shipbuilding and acquisitions — Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, a private-equity billionaire and close ally of Defense Secretary Hegseth, is consolidating control over shipbuilding and Navy acquisitions—roles traditionally held by the Secretary of the Navy. Feinberg is simultaneously overseeing the newly created Economic Defense Unit (EDU), which directs government investment in private defense contractors and has negotiated deals for the government to take equity stakes in those businesses.

Supporting reports

• Palantir's Maven AI system became official Pentagon program of record — Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg announced in a letter to Pentagon leaders that Palantir's Maven AI system will become an official program of record, locking in long-term use of Palantir's weapons-targeting technology across the U.S. military.

Supporting reports

• DHS considers purchasing $70 million Boeing 737 for deportation flights and official travel — The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly considering purchasing a $70 million Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft for dual use: transporting immigration detainees on deportation flights and ferrying Trump administration officials. The plane features luxury amenities including a bedroom with queen bed, showers, kitchen, flat-screen TVs, and bar. DHS stated it would convert at least one bedroom for seating to accommodate deportation missions. Some DHS officials privately questioned the necessity, noting the plane's 18-passenger capacity is incompatible with typical ICE deportation flights carrying over 100 shackled detainees. The purchase requires Office of Management and Budget approval.

Supporting reports

• CoreCivic revenue from ICE contracts more than doubled in 2025 — CoreCivic, a private prison company, reported that its revenue from ICE contracts more than doubled in 2025, rising from $120.3 million to $244.7 million. The company's overall profits spiked to $116.5 million, a 70% increase from the previous year. During a quarterly earnings call, investors expressed concern that ICE had not detained as many immigrants as expected, with detention levels at approximately 70,000 rather than the anticipated 100,000. CoreCivic projects even higher revenue for 2026.

Supporting reports

• Department of Homeland Security purchases two Gulfstream jets for $172 million during shutdown — Despite the ongoing government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security has purchased two Gulfstream private jets for $172 million for use by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other DHS officials. The initial departmental request was for $50 million for a single new plane. The Department of Homeland Security characterized the purchase as "a matter of safety."
• Kristi Noem claimed Coast Guard jets were for agency mission — Secretary Kristi Noem defended her acquisition of two new Gulfstream jets financed through the Coast Guard budget, stating they were necessary replacements for 25-year-old aircraft and that Congress had appropriated the funds. The source material indicates Noem personally uses the aircraft and that they represent taxpayer-funded government jets for her use, similar to her taxpayer-funded waterfront Coast Guard Commandant residence.

Supporting reports

• Trump announced government stake in Intel — Trump announced that the federal government has taken a 10% stake in Intel, which manufactures semiconductors and chips. Trump stated he intends to take similar stakes in other companies. The action represents direct government equity ownership in private corporations.
• Trump announced U.S. acquisition of 10% stake in Intel following pressure on CEO — President Trump announced on social media that the United States now owns and controls 10% of Intel. Trump had called for CEO Lip-Bu Tan's removal on August 7, met with Tan on August 11, and stated he told Tan the U.S. "should be given 10% of Intel." Tan agreed to the arrangement. Trump publicly characterized the transaction as a major corporate acquisition achieved through direct presidential intervention in private business operations.
• Trump Announces U.S. Ownership of 10% of Intel — President Donald Trump announced that the United States now owns 10% of Intel after a meeting with the company's CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, on August 11, where Trump demanded the stake. This announcement marks a significant government intervention in a private company, contrasting with traditional Republican values of free markets.
• Conservative economists and commentators criticized Trump's Intel stake acquisition — Multiple conservative figures criticized Trump's acquisition of a 10% government stake in Intel as socialism and government overreach. National Review's Pradheep Shanker warned it sets a precedent Democrats will exploit; Editor Charles Cooke called it "preposterous"; Sen. Rand Paul questioned whether it constitutes socialism; talk show host Erick Erickson called it "socialism with an R"; former House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good suggested canceling Intel subsidies instead; former Trump economic advisor Stephen Moore called it "terrible"; and Fox Business host Larry Kudlow expressed discomfort with the move.
• Trump announced U.S. government acquisition of 10% stake in Intel — President Trump announced that the U.S. government now owns and controls 10% of Intel, stating he negotiated the deal with Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan and that "the US paid nothing for these Shares" valued at approximately $11 billion. Trump characterized it as "a great Deal for America." The announcement followed Trump's previous threats against Intel's leadership.
• Trump administration announced government equity stake in Intel and discussed nationalizing defense contractors — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the Trump administration took an ownership stake in Intel and discussed potentially taking equity positions in major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, which derives 97% of revenue from U.S. government contracts. Lutnick justified the policy as necessary for the government to benefit from taxpayer-funded research and patents. The announcement drew criticism from labor analysts and economists who noted the government received no governance rights or board seats despite taking equity.

Supporting reports

• FCC suspends prison phone price caps, blocking enforcement of 2024 rule — FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced Monday that the FCC will no longer enforce a 2024 rule capping in-state prison phone calls at $0.06–$0.07 per minute. The suspension applies until April 1, 2027, during which the FCC will consider permanent changes. The 2024 rule, which reduced call costs from as much as $11.35 to $0.90 for a 15-minute call, was mandated by the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez objected, stating the suspension violates the statute and Congress's directive. The rule also banned kickbacks to prison operators; those remain suspended.
• FCC cites corporate claims rather than evidence in justifying suspension of prison phone price caps — In the order suspending the 2024 price-cap rule, the FCC explicitly cited "financial burdens" on prison operators and claimed that without commissions or high prices, many facilities would stop allowing incarcerated people to make phone calls. According to Popular Information's reporting, this conclusion is "largely based on claims made to the FCC by the corporations profiting from the existing system," rather than independent evidence or analysis.
• FCC postponed prison phone rate reduction rules for two years — FCC Chairman Brendon Carr announced the agency would postpone rules passed unanimously in 2024 to reduce prison and jail phone rates for two years. FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez said the postponement was "shielding a broken system that inflates costs and rewards kickbacks to correctional facilities at the expense of incarcerated individuals and their loved ones." The delay blocks consumer protections.
• GEO Group and CoreCivic donated to Trump campaign and inauguration while benefiting from FCC suspension — During the 2024 campaign, GEO Group's PAC made the maximum contribution to Trump's campaign; CEO Brian Evans and board chairman George Zoley each donated $11,600 to Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee. GEO Acquisition II, a GEO Group subsidiary, donated $1 million to Make America Great Again PAC. After Trump's election, GEO Group and CoreCivic each donated $500,000 to Trump's inauguration committee. Both Tom Homan (Trump's border czar) and Attorney General Pam Bondi have received payments from GEO Group—Homan as a consultant in 2023–2024, Bondi as a lobbyist in 2019.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration seeking to replace federal SmartPay program with private company Ramp backed by Trump and Musk-tied investors — On April 17, ProPublica reported that the Trump administration is seeking to replace the federal government's $700 billion internal expense card program, SmartPay, with a contract awarded to the private company Ramp, which is backed by investment firms tied to Trump and Musk. Administration officials claim SmartPay is wasteful, but Republican and Democratic budget experts dispute this characterization. Former GSA Commissioner Sonny Hashmi stated SmartPay is "the lifeblood of the government" with "exceptional levels of oversight and fraud prevention already baked in," and questioned what problem the replacement would solve.

Supporting reports

• SpaceX received expanded federal contracts and access across multiple agencies — The New York Times reported that SpaceX is receiving unprecedented access and contracts across the federal government. The Defense Department is promoting SpaceX's rocketry for military cargo transport. The Commerce Department made SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet fully eligible for the $42 billion federal rural broadband program. NASA is being pressured to shift focus to Mars, allowing SpaceX to pursue federal contracts for human Mars missions. Starlink satellite dishes have been installed at the FAA and the White House. Former FCC official Blair Levin stated: "The odds of Elon getting whatever Elon wants are much higher today. He is in the White House and Mar-a-Lago."

Supporting reports

• Trump expands Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency — Trump signed an order expanding the power of Elon Musk's so-called "department of government efficiency." The order calls for a "transformation" in federal spending on contracts, grants, and loans by requiring a centralized payment system to be monitored by Musk's team. The order states it "commences a transformation in Federal spending on contracts, grants, and loans to ensure Government spending is transparent and Government employees are accountable to the American public."