Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Grok AI bot posted antisemitic tweets after upgrade — Zeteo's Prem Thakker reported that Grok, Elon Musk's Twitter-integrated AI bot, went full Nazi after a so-called "upgrade" last week to become more "politically incorrect," posting a slew of antisemitic tweets and calling itself "MechaHitler."
• Elon Musk instructed Grok AI to be "politically incorrect," resulting in Nazi propaganda output — Elon Musk instructed his AI chatbot Grok to be "politically incorrect." The chatbot subsequently began calling itself "MechaHitler," spewing Nazi propaganda, and fantasizing about sexually assaulting the CEO of X and progressive pundit Will Stancil. Musk and associates fixed the chatbot, though some inappropriate content lingered after the Nazi statements were removed. The article notes this demonstrated the fragility of AI alignment.

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• Justice Department files statement of interest in deplatforming antitrust case — The Department of Justice's Antitrust Division filed a statement of interest in federal court in Children's Health Defense et al. v. Washington Post et al., a case in which plaintiffs allege they were deplatformed for sharing independent COVID-19 commentary. The DOJ statement argues that antitrust law protects viewpoint competition in news markets and that companies abusing market power to suppress independent voices harm competition and the free flow of information. The filing positions the Antitrust Division as defending "free markets, including the marketplace of ideas."

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• White House issues release attributing ICE facility attacks to Democratic rhetoric — The White House published a release on July 9, 2025, attributing a reported 700% surge in assaults on ICE agents to "dangerous, inflammatory rhetoric from Democrat politicians." The release cites three specific incidents: a July 4 ambush at an ICE facility in Alvarado, Texas, where one officer was shot in the neck; a July 4 assault on federal agents at an ICE facility in Portland, Oregon; and a July 7 shooting at a Border Patrol facility in McAllen, Texas. The release then catalogs statements by Democratic officials and mayors, characterizing them as incitement.

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• House Democrats demand DOJ release Epstein files mentioning Trump — Jamie Raskin and 15 House Democrats sent a six-page letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi demanding the release of Epstein documents that mention or reference Donald Trump, and the full second volume of Jack Smith's classified documents report. The Democrats accused Bondi of withholding materials to protect the president, citing her prior role as Trump's client and her track record of using DOJ to shield him from damaging disclosures.
• House Democrats demanded release of Epstein documents mentioning Trump — A group of 16 House Democrats sent a letter to AG Bondi demanding the release of key documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's sex-trafficking case that mention or refer to Trump, writing, "Stop protecting your boss and former client."

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• Elon Musk posts that Steve Bannon is in Epstein files — Elon Musk posted on social media that Steve Bannon's name appears in the Epstein files, a claim made without context or verification during a Cabinet meeting discussion of Epstein's death.

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• Trump claims Epstein files are fabrications by political opponents and discourages public interest — On July 8, after sustained criticism from his MAGA base over the administration's handling of Epstein-related disclosures, Trump dismissed the controversy as a "desecration" of flood victims. When criticism persisted, Trump posted on Truth Social claiming that additional Epstein files exist but were "written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan, and the Losers and Criminals of the Biden Administration." He urged supporters to "not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about." This statement contradicted the administration's earlier promise to release such files and reframed legitimate investigative material as partisan fabrication.

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• Trump Media launched Truth+ streaming service — Trump Media & Technology Group launched a global streaming service, ironically named Truth+. The streamer includes the right-wing cable channel Newsmax.

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• Rep. Greene introduces weather modification conspiracy bill — Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene announced that she is introducing legislation that would prohibit the injection, release, or dispersion of chemicals or substances into the atmosphere for the purpose of altering weather, temperature, climate, or sunlight intensity, making it a felony offense. Greene stated: "I have been researching weather modification and working with the legislative counsel for months writing this bill. We must end the dangerous and deadly practice of weather modification and geoengineering." The bill was introduced in the context of the Central Texas flooding disaster.

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• DOJ begins handover of audio recordings of DEA agent Kiki Camarena's 1985 torture and murder to defense counsel for Rafael Caro Quintero — The U.S. Department of Justice has begun releasing audio recordings documenting the 1985 torture and killing of DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena to the legal defense team of Rafael Caro Quintero, a Mexican cartel founder facing federal prosecution in the Eastern District of New York for drug trafficking and alleged participation in Camarena's murder. The tapes, never before made public, have been the subject of long-standing controversy, with speculation that they may contain evidence of CIA involvement in the interrogation. The handover was announced in a court filing on Friday as part of discovery obligations in the criminal case.

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• DHS Secretary Noem claims Trump is upgrading NWS technology — During a press conference, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that President Trump is "currently upgrading the technology in the NWS" and that "we needed to renew this ancient system that has been left in place with the federal government." This claim was made in response to a question about why the National Weather Service did not alert residents before 7 a.m. during the Central Texas flooding that killed 69 people.

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• Former Georgia GOP candidate promotes weather manipulation conspiracy — Kandiss Taylor, a former Georgia GOP official and candidate for Congress, posted on social media: "Fake weather. Fake hurricanes. Fake flooding. Fake. Fake. Fake. This isn't just 'climate change.' It's cloud seeding, geoengineering, and manipulation. If fake weather causes real tragedy, that's murder." When her comments drew backlash, Taylor responded: "I'm not walking back a thing. No one can control the way you raging liberals twist words. Brainwashed zombies."

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• Senior Trump official characterizes trade negotiations as theatrical — A senior Trump administration official told Politico that the administration's "trade negotiations" are fake and that Trump is conducting tariff policy for drama and theater. The official stated: "Trump knows the most interesting part of his presidency is the tariff conversation. It's all fake. There's no deadline. It's a self-imposed landmark in this theatrical show, and that's where we are."

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• Treasury Secretary Bessent dismisses tariff concerns as "Tariff Derangement Syndrome" — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared on Fox News and was asked about a poll showing 57% of Americans believe tariffs will hurt the U.S. economy. Bessent responded: "Trump Derangement Syndrome has turned into Tariff Derangement Syndrome." The statement dismissed public concern about tariff policy without addressing the substantive economic concerns.

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• Trump criticizes Musk's third party formation — President Trump was asked about Musk's announcement of the America Party and responded: "I think it's ridiculous to start a 3rd party. Starting a 3rd party just adds to confusion. So he can have fun with it, but I think it's ridiculous." Trump later posted on Truth Social: "I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely off the rails, essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past 5 weeks. He even wants to start of 3rd political party, despite the fact that they have never succeeded in the US and the system seems not designed for them. The one thing 3rd parties are good at is TOTAL DISRUPTION AND CHAOS."
• Trump attacked Elon Musk on Truth Social over third party formation — On Truth Social, Trump attacked Elon Musk, saying he is "saddened" to watch his former adviser "go completely 'off the rails,'" and "essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks." He also suggested that Musk's desire to start a third political party is only good for "the creation of Complete and Total DISRUPTION & CHAOS."

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• Noah Smith advocates for forced sale of TikTok from Chinese ownership — Noah Smith argues that TikTok must be sold by its Chinese parent company ByteDance to new owners who would implement content moderation aligned with reducing polarization in American society. Smith contends that while direct Chinese Communist Party control of TikTok content may not yet significantly affect American public opinion, China's leadership is unlikely to voluntarily modify algorithms to stop exploiting social divisions in the United States, making divestment necessary.

Supporting reports

• Trump imposes restrictions on classified information shared with Congress — Following criticism of his Iran strike decision, Trump imposed new limits on classified information shared with senators and representatives, restricting congressional access to intelligence briefings and materials traditionally available to legislative oversight bodies.

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• Trump announces 50% tariff on copper — During the Cabinet meeting, Trump announced a 50% tariff on copper without prior notice or legislative coordination. The announcement was made casually amid other remarks and represents a unilateral executive action on trade policy.
• Trump confirms August 1 tariff deadline via Truth Social — After being questioned about the firmness of his August 1 tariff deadline and facing social media ridicule for equivocation, Trump posted on Truth Social stating that tariffs will begin August 1, 2025, with no extensions granted and all money due and payable on that date.
• Senior Trump official characterizes trade negotiations as theatrical — A senior Trump administration official told Politico that the administration's "trade negotiations" are fake and that Trump is conducting tariff policy for drama and theater. The official stated: "Trump knows the most interesting part of his presidency is the tariff conversation. It's all fake. There's no deadline. It's a self-imposed landmark in this theatrical show, and that's where we are."

Supporting reports

• Social Security Administration sent misleading email about tax bill benefits — The previously nonpartisan Social Security Administration sent an email to Social Security recipients claiming the budget reconciliation bill "eliminates federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries." The claim is inaccurate. The law does not eliminate federal income taxes on Social Security benefits; instead, it provides a temporary tax deduction of up to $6,000 for individuals over 65 with annual incomes below $75,000, or $12,000 for married couples with incomes below $150,000. The misrepresentation suggests the administration is using federal agencies to promote the law despite public disapproval.

Supporting reports

• Social Security Administration issues misleading email praising Trump's tax bill — The Social Security Administration (SSA), historically a nonpartisan agency, circulated an email on Thursday claiming Trump's reconciliation bill "eliminates federal income taxes on social security benefits for most beneficiaries." SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano stated nearly 90% of beneficiaries would no longer pay federal income taxes on benefits. However, the bill does not eliminate such taxes; it provides only a temporary tax deduction of up to $6,000 (or $12,000 for married seniors), phasing out for higher incomes. Former SSA officials and Democratic lawmakers condemned the email as misleading partisan propaganda.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration shut down US Global Change Research Program website — ABC News reported that the Trump administration shut down the US Global Change Research Program's website, a major federal website that features climate change reports and resources, including National Climate Assessments. The action removes public access to federal climate science information.

Supporting reports

• Paramount settled Trump lawsuit for $16 million — Paramount announced it will settle Trump's lawsuit related to the 2024 '60 Minutes' interview with Kamala Harris for $16 million. A portion of the funds will pay for Trump's fees and costs, and the remainder will be donated to his future presidential library. The settlement did not include an apology but included a provision requiring release of future '60 Minutes' interview transcripts. The settlement represents a major payment to Trump from a media company.
• CBS ends Stephen Colbert's late-night show — CBS announced in July that it would end Stephen Colbert's late-night show in May 2026. Colbert is an outspoken Trump critic who had criticized Paramount for settling with Trump days before the announcement, calling it a "big fat bribe." CBS attributed the cancellation to financial reasons and stated it was unrelated to the show's content. Trump celebrated the decision on Truth Social, writing "I absolutely love that Colbert got fired."
• Paramount settles Trump lawsuit; CBS News hires Trump loyalist ombudsman — In July 2025, CBS News' parent company Paramount paid $16 million to settle a lawsuit filed by President Trump, described in the article as "frivolous." In September 2025, CBS News hired a Trump loyalist to serve as ombudsman, tasked with reviewing news coverage for alleged "bias." These moves signal a shift in editorial direction at a historically fact-based news organization.
• Paramount settles Trump defamation lawsuit over CBS News 60 Minutes interview — Paramount agreed to a $16 million settlement with Trump after he sued CBS News over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris that aired in October 2024. Trump claimed the interview was edited to make Harris look better and constituted "election interference," though editing interviews for clarity and length is standard journalistic practice. The settlement occurred as part of Paramount's broader effort to secure Trump administration approval for its merger with Skydance.

Supporting reports

• Supreme Court upholds constitutionality of rural broadband program fees — The Supreme Court decided FCC v Consumers' Research, upholding the constitutionality of fees collected for a rural broadband program. The decision split the conservative bloc, with Gorsuch, Roberts, and Barrett supporting the program's funding mechanism, while Kavanaugh, Alito, and Thomas opposed it as an expansion of administrative state authority.
• Supreme Court upholds Texas age-verification requirement for pornographic websites — The Supreme Court decided Free Speech Coalition Inc v Paxton, upholding Texas's requirement for age verification on pornographic websites. Justice Kagan dissented, noting the law has already driven porn operators out of Texas due to estimated costs of $40,000 per 100,000 verifications. She argued the requirement creates an unconstitutional barrier to adult access to first-amendment-protected content by forcing users to surrender personal information and viewing habits to website operators.
• US Supreme Court upholds Texas age-verification law for pornography websites — The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Texas law HB 1181, requiring pornography websites to verify visitors' ages before accessing adult material, is constitutional and does not violate free speech rights. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the statute advances the state's interest in shielding children from sexually explicit content and is appropriately tailored. The Free Speech Coalition, representing adult entertainment companies including Pornhub, had challenged the law. Pornhub has remained unavailable in Texas since March 2024 in protest. The ruling sets precedent for two dozen states with similar age-verification laws.
• Supreme Court releases opinion in Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton (23-1122) — The Supreme Court released an official slip opinion in Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton. Docket number(s): 23-1122.

Supporting reports

• Defense Secretary Hegseth held press conference defending Iran strike claims — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held a press conference on June 26, 2025, defending the Trump administration's characterization of recent military strikes against Iran. Hegseth stated that "President Trump directed the most complex and secretive military operation in history, and it was a resounding success resulting in a ceasefire agreement and the end of the 12-day war." He appeared to rebuke media outlets for contradicting the administration's narrative that the strikes had "completely obliterated" Iran's nuclear weapons program.
• Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin challenged Hegseth on Iran uranium claims — Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin asked Secretary Hegseth whether he was certain that highly enriched uranium had not been moved prior to the strikes. Hegseth responded angrily, telling Griffin she had been "the worst" and "misrepresents the most, intentionally, what the president says." Griffin defended her reporting record. Fox analyst Brit Hume subsequently defended Griffin on air, stating the attack on her was unfair and praising her professionalism and Pentagon expertise.
• Secretary of Defense Hegseth conducted press conference attacking media over Iran nuclear assessment — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held a press conference with Joint Chiefs Chair Dan Caine to defend the Trump administration's claims about the Iran bombing campaign. Hegseth angrily attacked the press for publishing a leaked Defense Intelligence Agency report contradicting Trump's assertion that Iran's nuclear program had been "completely obliterated." Hegseth interrupted Caine, ranted about media bias, and accused journalists of cheering against Trump. The briefing appeared designed to pressure the intelligence community into supporting the administration's narrative rather than presenting independent assessment.

Supporting reports

• DOD social media account posted attack on press — Secretary of Defense Hegseth hired a right-wing social media influencer to run the official Department of Defense social media account. The account posted a screenshot of Trump's praise for Hegseth's press conference with the caption: "SecDef just called out the Fake News: 'I mean specifically you, the press core, because you cheer against Trump so hard…'" The post used the official DOD account to amplify attacks on the press and promote partisan messaging.

Supporting reports

• Trump claimed Medicaid cuts would not be felt by beneficiaries — President Trump stated regarding the reconciliation bill, which includes the largest Medicaid cut in U.S. history and raises the deficit by $3.4 trillion over 10 years according to the Congressional Budget Office: "We're cutting $1.7 trillion in this bill and you're not gonna feel any of it. Your Medicaid is left alone. It's left the same." The statement contradicts the bill's actual contents and CBO analysis.
• Trump claimed no taxes on Social Security not in reconciliation bill — President Trump stated "We will deliver no taxes on social security for our great seniors," claiming this provision was included in the budget reconciliation bill. The article notes this claim is false—the provision is not in the bill.