Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• State Department directs embassies to launch coordinated counter-propaganda campaigns using X and military psychological operations — Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a cable directing all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide to launch coordinated campaigns against foreign propaganda, explicitly endorsing Elon Musk's X platform and its Community Notes feature as an "innovative" tool. The directive instructs diplomatic staff to coordinate with the Pentagon's Military Information Support Operations (Miso) unit, recruit local influencers and community leaders to amplify American narratives, and rebrand U.S. foreign assistance with prominent American flags. The cable frames these efforts as countering hostile state disinformation from Iran, Russia, and China.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge expresses skepticism of Pentagon's revised press policy restricting journalist access — Federal Judge Paul Friedman held a hearing on the Pentagon's newly implemented press restrictions, calling aspects "weird" and "Kafkaesque." The policy requires journalists to be escorted by Pentagon staff, closes the Correspondents' Corridor, and penalizes reporters for offering anonymity to sources—measures Friedman suggested violate First Amendment rights. The judge had previously struck down key aspects of an earlier Pentagon media policy on March 20 but stopped short of ruling on the New York Times' motion to force compliance with his decision.

Supporting reports

• Trump posted AI-generated video of future presidential library — On the evening of March 30, Trump's social media account posted an AI-generated video depicting a future Donald J. Trump Presidential Library. The video featured a gleaming skyscraper containing what appeared to be an airplane the president had pressured Qatar into giving him, a replica of the Oval Office, and a model of his anticipated ballroom.

Supporting reports

• White House Press Secretary Leavitt denied Iran negotiations while Trump claimed agreement — When asked to explain the discrepancy between Trump's claims that Iran had agreed to most of his 15-point plan and Iran's public statements that no negotiations were taking place, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded: "I think the American people are smart enough not to take the word of a terrorist regime." Leavitt did not address the factual discrepancy or provide evidence supporting Trump's claims of Iranian agreement.
• White House Press Secretary Leavitt invoked religious justification for military operations — When asked about Pope Francis's statement that "God does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded by reframing the question as one about praying for service members rather than addressing the Pope's moral critique. Leavitt stated: "Our nation was a nation founded 250 years ago almost on Judeo-Christian values. And we have seen presidents, the leaders of the Dept of War, and our troops go to prayer during the most turbulent times in our nations history and I don't think there is anything wrong with our military leaders or with the president calling on the American people to pray for our service members overseas."
• White House Press Secretary Leavitt stated Trump loves CPAC and has great relationship with Matt Schlapp — When asked why Trump did not attend CPAC and whether he believed the conference had become less relevant, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded: "No. He loves CPAC. He has a great relationship with Matt Schlapp." The statement affirmed Trump's support for the conservative conference and its leadership despite his absence from the event.
• White House Press Secretary Leavitt defended potential strikes on Iranian infrastructure — When asked about Trump's statements regarding potentially destroying Iranian electrical generating plants, oil wells, Kharg Island, and desalination plants, and whether such strikes would constitute war crimes under international law, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded: "Their best move is to make a deal or else the US armed forces has capabilities beyond their wildest imagination." Leavitt did not directly address the legality question but instead issued a threat regarding US military capabilities.
• White House Press Secretary Leavitt stated US would not pay for Iran war costs — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the Trump administration would not commit to paying for the costs of the Iran war, instead suggesting that Arab countries should be called upon to fund the operation. When asked who would pay for the war, Leavitt responded: "I think it is something the president would be quite interested in calling them to do. Certainly, it's an idea I know he has and something you will hear more from him on." The response drew comparison to Trump's unfulfilled promise that Mexico would pay for the border wall.

Supporting reports

• Trump posted AI-generated video of future presidential library — On the evening of March 30, Trump's social media account posted an AI-generated video depicting a future Donald J. Trump Presidential Library. The video featured a gleaming skyscraper containing what appeared to be an airplane the president had pressured Qatar into giving him, a replica of the Oval Office, and a model of his anticipated ballroom.
• Trump posted social media video about Davy Crockett and Jasmine Crockett — President Trump posted a video of the theme song from the 1954–1955 Davy Crockett TV series, overlaid with text suggesting a family relationship between the historical frontiersman and Democratic U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett of Texas. No historical evidence supports such a relationship. The post appears to be a continuation of Trump's earlier speculation about a possible connection between the two figures.
• Trump posts video praising Davy Crockett and Jasmine Crockett — President Donald J. Trump posted a video on social media featuring the theme song of the Davy Crockett TV series, linking it to Democratic U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett. He expressed pride in her political success, despite no evidence of a familial connection. This post reflects Trump's engagement with nostalgic themes from the 1950s, contrasting with contemporary political realities.

Supporting reports

• US Treasury Department demands Financial Times retraction of Federal Reserve oversight story — On Friday, 28 March, the US Treasury Department issued a formal complaint to the Financial Times and its parent company Nikkei Inc., demanding retraction of a 26 March article reporting that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had discussed increasing oversight of the Federal Reserve modeled on the Bank of England system. Treasury officials, via acting assistant secretary Elliott Hulse, denied Bessent made any such statements publicly or privately and accused the FT of publishing "false claims" and a misleading headline. The FT stood by its reporting and included Treasury responses in the article.

Supporting reports

• White House launches official mobile application — The White House issued a release announcing the launch of an official mobile app designed to deliver "unfiltered, real-time updates" directly to users. The app offers breaking news alerts, live streams of briefings and speeches, a media library, policy updates, and a channel for users to send feedback to the administration. The release frames the app as a direct communication channel "cutting through the noise" and positions it as the "fastest, most powerful way to stay informed and engaged with the Trump Administration."

Supporting reports

• Trump reposted Russian propaganda about Ukraine and Biden — On March 27, President Trump reposted Russian propaganda claiming that Ukraine discussed funneling money to President Biden's reelection campaign. The repost amplified disinformation originating from a foreign adversary currently engaged in war against Ukraine.

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• TSA agents tipped off ICE to arrest mother and child at San Francisco airport — TSA agents at San Francisco International Airport flagged the immigration status and travel plans of Angelina Lopez Jimenez and her nine-year-old daughter Wendy Godinez Lopez to ICE officers, who arrested them on March 23, 2026. The Guatemalan nationals, who had been released by border agents in 2018 with a notice to appear in court and later ordered removed by an immigration judge, were apprehended as they traveled to Miami. The arrest, filmed by bystanders, drew condemnation from Democratic lawmakers and raised concerns about California sanctuary policy compliance.
• Trump administration expanded data-sharing between TSA and ICE for domestic flight targeting — The Trump administration expanded data-sharing protocols between TSA and ICE beginning last year, marking a major shift in immigration enforcement strategy by enabling ICE to target individuals on domestic flights based on flagged immigration status. This represents a departure from historical practice in which interior immigration enforcement did not previously target domestic air travel. The arrangement has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers who argue it leads to indiscriminate arrests.

Supporting reports

• Trump's Truth Social post about Iran negotiations preceded unusual market activity and volume spikes. — At approximately 6:50 AM ET, before Trump's 7:05 AM Truth Social post claiming productive Iran negotiations, S&P 500 futures and West Texas Intermediate oil futures recorded sharp, isolated volume spikes during thin premarket trading. Trump's announcement at 7:05 AM triggered an immediate 2.5% surge in S&P 500 futures and a nearly 6% drop in oil futures. Within 56 minutes, the market swung $3 trillion in total market capitalization as Iran denied the claims. CNBC reported the unusual volume activity preceded the announcement.
• Evidence emerged of potential market manipulation tied to Trump's Iran announcements — Reporters including Yun Li at CNBC documented that approximately fifteen minutes before Trump's announcement of "triumphal progress" in Iran negotiations, there was a sudden and sharp jump in S&P 500 futures and oil futures. Economist Paul Krugman noted that someone with insider knowledge could have profited substantially by selling crude oil futures at high prices (Brent crude over $112 on the weekend) and buying them back immediately after Trump's announcement but before Iran's denial, realizing large profits.
• Economist alleges insider trading on false Iran war announcement — Economist Paul Krugman reported that trading volume in S&P 500 and oil futures spiked approximately 15 minutes before Trump announced false U.S.-Iran war negotiations, with oil futures alone worth roughly $580 million. Krugman characterized the pattern as potential "insider trading" and "treason," suggesting that confidential national security information was exploited for private financial gain. The Financial Times estimated the scale of the trades; Krugman called for investigation into the identities of traders and whether they had direct access to classified information or paid intermediaries for tips.
• Suspicious trading in S&P 500 and oil futures preceded Iran announcement — Trading in S&P 500 and oil futures occurred approximately fifteen minutes before Trump announced his team had been negotiating with Iran, despite the announcement later being revealed as false. The timing raised public accusations of insider trading on national security information, potentially endangering Americans by compromising classified information.
• Trader profited nearly $1 million from prescient Polymarket bets on US-Israeli military actions — A trader made nearly $1 million since 2024 from dozens of well-timed Polymarket bets predicting US and Israeli military actions against Iran, winning 93% of their 5-figure wagers on unannounced military operations. The trader placed prescient bets hours before Israeli strikes in October 2024, US airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, and the joint US-Israeli surprise strikes on February 28, 2026.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — Newhouse v. U.S. Agency for Global Media (D.D.C. 1:26-cv-00980) — VOA journalists and advocacy organizations filed suit in D.D.C. challenging the administration's dismantling of Voice of America's editorial independence following Executive Order 14238. The complaint alleges that defendants Michael Rigas and Kari Lake, acting for the administration, violated the statutory "Firewall" protecting VOA from political interference by censoring coverage of Iranian protests and forcing the Mandarin Service to publish White House talking points as news. Plaintiffs seek a permanent injunction to restore the Firewall, a declaration of constitutional violations, and a writ of mandamus to compel USAGM to fulfill its statutory duty to provide accurate, independent news coverage.

Supporting reports

• CREW files FOIA complaint against DHS over surveillance of immigration-enforcement protesters — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a Freedom of Information Act complaint in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the Department of Homeland Security, seeking records of DHS tracking and surveillance of protesters opposing expanded immigration enforcement. CREW's February 2026 FOIA requests sought memoranda, policies, and database records related to DHS collection of images, license plates, and personal data on protesters during operations including "Operation Metro Surge" in Minnesota and "Operation Catch of the Day" in Maine. CREW alleges DHS failed to timely process requests, grant expedited processing, or produce responsive records, and seeks declaratory relief, injunctions compelling disclosure, and attorney fees.

Supporting reports

• Reports emerged of Russian disinformation plot involving Hungary's Orbán — Credible reports emerged that Russia had considered staging a fake assassination attempt on Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to boost his reelection prospects. The report highlighted the use of disinformation and staged political violence as tools to manipulate democratic outcomes in allied nations.
• Russia staged assassination attempt plot against Hungarian PM Orban — The Washington Post reported that a unit of Russia's foreign intelligence service began sounding the alarm over plummeting public support for Hungarian PM Viktor Orban in the run-up to Hungary's pivotal April election. Russian intelligence officers suggested that "drastic action might be necessary" and called one strategy "the Gamechanger." The Russian report stated that "the staging of an assassination attempt on Viktor Orban" could "fundamentally alter the entire paradigm of the election campaign" by shifting perception "out of the rational realm of socioeconomic questions into an emotional one, where the key themes will become state security and the stability and defense of the political system."

Supporting reports

• Assistant AG Harmeet Dhillon stated DOJ has released all releasable Epstein documents — Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated on Newsmax that the Department of Justice has released all documents it is able to release regarding the Epstein case. She indicated that approximately 200,000 pages of documents remain withheld due to legal privilege reasons. The statement addressed questions about whether additional Epstein files would be released.

Supporting reports

• Pete Hegseth held press conference attacking media and refusing mainstream journalists — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held a press conference where he attacked the media while refusing to call on any mainstream journalists in the room. He only took questions from right-wing media outlets, stating "A dishonest and anti-Trump press will stop at nothing to downplay progress, amplify every cost, and call into question every step" and claiming "TDS is in their DNA. They want President Trump to fail."

Supporting reports

• Trump posted false claims on Truth Social denying prior knowledge of Israeli strike — Trump posted on Truth Social claiming "the US knew nothing about this particular attack" regarding the Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars Gas Field and stressed that Qatar "was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen." However, U.S. and Israeli officials later confirmed that Trump did know about the strike in advance and that PM Netanyahu and Trump had coordinated about it.

Supporting reports

• Director of National Intelligence Gabbard omits intelligence assessment contradicting Iran war justification during Senate testimony — Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee on March 18, 2026. Her written opening statement asserted that Iran's nuclear enrichment program was "obliterated" by Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025 and that Iran had made no efforts to rebuild it. However, when testifying in person, Gabbard omitted this passage, claiming time constraints. The omitted statement contradicts the Trump administration's repeated public claims that Iran was weeks away from acquiring nuclear weapons—the stated justification for the war. Intelligence community assessments, including from Gabbard herself in March 2025, had concluded Iran was not building a nuclear weapon.
• Director of National Intelligence Gabbard testifies before Senate Intelligence Committee — Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee on March 19 regarding worldwide threats. Gabbard removed from her opening statement references to the 2025 strikes against Iran's nuclear enrichment program having "obliterated" it and the country not restarting the program. When asked why she omitted this material, she claimed her statement was running long. She also declined to confirm publicly that Russia is sharing intelligence with Iran, saying such information was appropriate only for closed session, despite the report being in public press.
• Tulsi Gabbard submitted written testimony on Iran nuclear program — In written testimony submitted to Congress ahead of her oral testimony, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated that Iran's nuclear enrichment program was "obliterated" in June 2026 and that no efforts to rebuild that capability have been detected since. She noted that entrances to underground facilities targeted in strikes have been buried and sealed with cement, effectively shutting them down. Gabbard affirmed these statements only after being pressed by Senator Jon Ossoff.

Supporting reports

• Trump endorses FCC chair's threat to revoke broadcast licenses over Iran war coverage — Donald Trump posted on Truth Social expressing he was "thrilled" that FCC Chair Brendan Carr was "looking at the licenses" of news organizations reporting unfavorably on the Iran war. Carr had stated on X that broadcasters running "hoaxes and news distortions" should "correct course before their license renewals come up" or "lose their licenses." In a Reuters interview, Carr said license revocations were "on the table" and accelerated reviews were possible. Trump claimed news outlets "knowingly" disseminated false information and should face treason charges, while Defense Secretary Hegseth barred press photographers and singled out CNN.
• Trump posted social media attacks on New York Times and Wall Street Journal — President Trump posted on social media that the New York Times and Wall Street Journal "actually want us to lose the War" and that their "terrible reporting is the exact opposite of the actual facts." Trump called the outlets "Lowlife 'Papers' and Media" and characterized journalists as "truly sick and demented people that have no idea the damage they cause the United States of America," citing his 2024 election victory as proof that Americans understand events better than "Fake News Media."
• Trump posted that media outlets should face treason charges for false reporting — President Trump posted on social media that media outlets generating stories he characterized as "FAKE" "should be brought up on Charges for TREASON for the dissemination of false information." Trump reiterated support for FCC Chair Brendan Carr's attack on the media and insisted he won the presidential election "IN A LANDSLIDE."

Supporting reports

• Trump posted image claiming to reshape media landscape with defunding and firings — President Trump posted an image titled "PRESIDENT TRUMP IS RESHAPING THE MEDIA" with three categories: "GONE," "REFORMS," and "WINNING." Under "gone" was the defunding of PBS and NPR and a list of reporters fired since Trump took office in 2025. Under "reforms," the image claimed Trump was the "Most Accessible POTUS Ever" and noted CBS's new ownership by Trump ally David Ellison included a "News Bias Ombudsman." Under "winning" was a quote from The Guardian that "Trump is waging war against the media—and winning."

Supporting reports

• Trump falsely claims Iran wants to surrender — Trump stated that Iran wants to make a deal and is seeking negotiations, claiming "They want to make a deal badly." However, Drop Site News reported that Iranian officials say the opposite is occurring behind the scenes: Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff privately contacted Iran's Foreign Minister seeking talks, but Tehran ignored the messages and stated it will not negotiate for now. Trump's public claim contradicts the actual diplomatic posture.

Supporting reports

• Laura Loomer accused Tucker Carlson of being Iranian asset; created list of alleged foreign agents — Laura Loomer posted that Tucker Carlson is an Iranian asset and should be jailed, questioning why he would oppose the U.S. killing the Ayatollah. Loomer stated she created a list of conservative influencers she believes are taking money from Iran, Russia, and Qatar and provided supporting evidence to the DOJ. Loomer accused all listed individuals of violating FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act) and stated they deserve jail time.

Supporting reports

• Trump and FCC Chair Carr threatened media companies covering the war — Trump posted that the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other media outlets "want us to lose the War" and that their reporting is "the exact opposite of the actual facts." FCC Chair Brendan Carr responded by threatening broadcasters, stating that those "running hoaxes and news distortions" have a chance to "correct course before their license renewals come up" or they will lose their licenses. Carr stated the law requires broadcasters to operate in the public interest.

Supporting reports

• Trump berates and silences ABC News reporter on Air Force One — On March 15, Trump shushed ABC News journalist Mariam Khan during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One, calling her a "very obnoxious person" after she asked about the deployment of thousands of marines and sailors to the Middle East. Earlier in the same gaggle, Trump called ABC News "one of the worst, most fake, most corrupt news organizations on the planet" and announced he would not take further questions from the network after Khan asked about the appropriateness of using a dignified transfer photo in a fundraising email.
• Trump refuses ABC News questions on Air Force One — During a press availability on Air Force One, Trump was asked by an ABC News reporter about his PAC sending a fundraising email using a photo from a dignified transfer ceremony. Trump responded that he thought it was appropriate, then asked who the reporter worked for. Upon learning the reporter was from ABC, Trump declared ABC "maybe the most corrupt news organizations on the planet" and stated "I don't want any more questions from ABC," refusing further questions from that outlet.

Supporting reports

• Defense Secretary Hegseth complained about war coverage at press briefing — On March 14, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held a press briefing at the Defense Department in which he spent significant time complaining about headlines reporting that the war is widening and that the administration underestimated Iran's ability to close the Strait of Hormuz. He called for a "patriotic press" that would report Iran is weakening, criticized CNN's reporting, and stated "The sooner [right-wing Trump ally] David Ellison takes over that network, the better." He claimed the Strait of Hormuz is open and that Iran can "barely communicate, let alone coordinate."
• Hegseth criticized media coverage of the Iran war — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed frustration during a press briefing about media reports suggesting that the war with Iran is widening and that the administration underestimated the threat of Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz. He claimed that the Strait is open and criticized CNN for its reporting.

Supporting reports

• Trump denied Ukraine was helping U.S. with drone defense — In a phone call to the Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox Radio on the morning of March 14, President Trump denied that Ukraine was helping the U.S. with drone defense, stating "we don't need their help…. We know more about drones than anybody. We have the best drones in the world, actually." This denial contradicted contemporaneous reporting that Ukraine had sent drone experts and interceptor drones to Jordan at U.S. request.