Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• FCC commissioners accept expensive tickets from companies under regulatory review — Federal Communications Commission commissioners have accepted expensive tickets to the Kennedy Center Honors Gala from CBS and Paramount, CBS' parent company, as they considered whether to approve Paramount's merger with Skydance Media. The acceptance of these gifts from a company whose merger they were evaluating creates an apparent conflict of interest and raises questions about the integrity of the regulatory review process.

Supporting reports

• White House teleprompter operator placed on administrative leave over alleged insider trading on prediction market — Gabriel Perez, Donald Trump's teleprompter operator since 2016, was placed on unpaid administrative leave after reports he used advance knowledge of the president's speeches to place bets on the Kalshi prediction market, generating over $100,000 in winnings. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the conduct "deeply unfortunate and frankly a disgrace." The CFTC is investigating the matter after Kalshi detected unusual betting patterns and referred the trades to federal regulators. Perez earned $175,000 annually as deputy assistant to the president.
• Trump's teleprompter operator investigated for betting on presidential speech content — Gabriel Perez, Trump's longtime teleprompter operator, is under federal investigation for allegedly making over $100,000 in bets on the prediction market Kalshi, wagering on which words Trump would say in his own speeches, including the February State of the Union. Investigators found that Perez allegedly withdrew from certain bets mid-speech if Trump skipped a wagered word. Kalshi froze a portion of the winnings after flagging the activity as suspicious.
• Trump's teleprompter operator placed bets on presidential speeches — Gabriel Perez, Trump's technical assistant and teleprompter operator since 2016, is in settlement talks with federal regulators after allegedly using inside knowledge of the president's speeches to place bets on prediction market Kalshi. CFTC investigators found Perez placed bets on more than a dozen Trump speeches over a three-month period, including the State of the Union address, a World Economic Forum speech in Davos, and remarks at a Medal of Honor ceremony, winning over $100,000. Perez continues to serve as one of Trump's teleprompter operators and typically has final eyes on nearly all prepared remarks.
• Truth Social announces new profit mechanism tied to Trump's office — Truth Social announced a new way for Trump to profit directly from his position as president. The announcement suggests a direct monetization of the presidency through the social media platform.

Supporting reports

• Trump sons' defense technology investments received $3.2 billion in government contracts — The Washington Post reported that Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump have amassed a portfolio of defense technology start-ups that are benefiting from new Pentagon priorities and spending. The Trump sons have invested in more than a dozen defense companies that have collectively received at least $3.2 billion in business directly from the government since those investments, along with $3.1 billion in options for future contracts.
• Trump’s sons benefit from defense contracts — On July 13, 2026, reports emerged that Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump have invested in defense technology start-ups that are profiting from new Pentagon spending priorities, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and the intertwining of personal financial interests with government contracts.
• CNN investigation found Trump made at least 44 stock purchases before posting complimentary Truth Social messages — A CNN investigation by Casey Tolan and Isabelle Chapman, published July 16, found that Trump made at least 44 stock purchases of 21 different companies within a week before posting complimentary Truth Social messages about those firms, their executives, or their products. The investigation suggests potential market manipulation tied to Trump's social media activity.
• Trump Jr. and Eric Trump investment funds generate billions in Pentagon contracts — A Washington Post analysis found that funds linked to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump have invested in more than a dozen defense technology companies and other firms seeking business from the Pentagon and federal agencies. These companies have together generated at least $3.2 billion in direct government business since the sons invested. The arrangement raises concerns about conflicts of interest and potential self-dealing by family members of the sitting president.

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.