Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump Administration's Influence on CBS News Coverage — Shari Redstone, chair of Paramount Global, has reportedly intervened in CBS News' coverage of President Trump to appease FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. This intervention followed Trump's criticism of CBS's reporting and was aimed at facilitating a merger between Paramount and Skydance Media, which requires FCC approval. Redstone's actions led to the resignation of 60 Minutes producer Bill Owens. This situation highlights the potential influence of political considerations on media content and editorial decisions.

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• FCC Investigation into CBS News for "News Distortion" — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), led by Chairman Brendan Carr, has launched an investigation into CBS News for alleged "news distortion" following a 60 Minutes interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. This investigation mirrors a lawsuit filed by President Trump against CBS, claiming the network's editing decisions constituted "election interference." The FCC's actions mark a departure from its longstanding policy on news distortion, which typically involves gross misrepresentation of significant events. Carr has suggested that CBS's actions could lead to the revocation of its broadcast license.

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• TeleMessage app suspends service over suspected hack — The TeleMessage app, used by Mike Waltz, Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, has temporarily suspended its services due to a suspected hack. Smarsh, the Oregon-based company that operates the app, is investigating the potential security incident. The suspension follows reports that a hacker accessed the app's back-end infrastructure, intercepting some users' messages. This incident has raised concerns about the security of Waltz's communications, especially after a journalist was accidentally added to a Signal group created by Waltz for sharing updates on US military actions in Yemen.
• Security breach reported in TeleMessage app used by officials — A report revealed that a hacker breached the TeleMessage app, which is used by administration officials, compromising sensitive data related to Customs and Border Protection and banking institutions.

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• FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr Opposes Verizon-Frontier Merger Over DEI Policy — FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr stated his opposition to the merger between Verizon and Frontier Communications due to Verizon's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policy. Carr indicated that companies seeking FCC approval for mergers should eliminate any forms of discrimination, suggesting that DEI policies are discriminatory.

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• Trump signs executive order to cut funding for public broadcasters — Former President Donald Trump issued an executive order blocking National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) from receiving taxpayer funds through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The White House justified the move by stating that the current media landscape offers numerous news options, rendering government-funded media outdated and potentially harmful to journalistic independence. This decision could significantly impact smaller stations, particularly in rural areas, which rely heavily on federal funding.
• Trump Administration Signs Executive Order to Cut Funding for NPR and PBS — In late April, the Trump administration signed an executive order to slash federal funding for NPR and PBS, accusing them of spreading "radical woke propaganda." This move is part of a broader effort to downsize the federal government and eliminate what the administration describes as frivolous expenditures. The decision has sparked concerns about the impact on public broadcasting and its role in providing independent news and educational content.

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• Appeals court blocks reinstatement of Voice of America employees — A federal appeals court has blocked the reinstatement of over 1,000 Voice of America (VoA) employees, siding with the Trump administration. The court's decision paused a lower court's order that had temporarily stayed an executive order by Donald Trump dismantling the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VoA. The ruling means that VoA employees will not return to work until the case is resolved. The decision was made by a divided DC circuit court panel, with Judges Neomi Rao and Gregory Katsas supporting the administration, while Judge Nina Pillard dissented.
• Appeal filed — Abramowitz v. Lake (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00887 — The D.C. Circuit, in a 2-1 decision , granted a stay. The majority held that (1) the district court lacked jurisdiction over agency employment decisions, which should have been brought to administrative bodies for adjudication; (2) the district court lacked jurisdiction over contract disputes, which should have been brought in the Court of Federal Claims (citing the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in Department of Education v. California, 145 S. Ct. 966 (2025); and that the government, not the Plaintiffs, would suffer irreparable harm absent a stay. The court left in place the specific part of the district court's preliminary injunction requiring the resumption of VOA's statutorily required programming levels, which the government had not appealed.
• Appeal filed — Widakuswara v. Kari Lake (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01015 — The D.C. Circuit, in a 2-1 decision , granted a stay. The majority held that (1) the district court lacked jurisdiction over agency employment decisions, which should have been brought to administrative bodies for adjudication; (2) the district court lacked jurisdiction over contract disputes, which should have been brought in the Court of Federal Claims (citing the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in Department of Education v. California ; and that the government, not the Plaintiffs, would suffer irreparable harm absent a stay.
• Motion granted — Middle East Broadcasting Networks v. United States (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00966 — The D.C. Circuit issued a stay for the group of consolidated cases included in the May 1 order. But the May 3 order did not include RFE/RL, Inc. v. Lake. The D.C. Circuit stated, “The government has filed a separate motion to stay that order, which we do not resolve here.”
• Motion granted — Radio Free Asia v. United States (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00907 — In March 2025, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the Voice of America (VOA) by cutting off its funding through its parent company, the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM). This action led to the suspension of VOA's operations, placing its staff on administrative leave and terminating contractors. Patsy Widakuswara, a journalist and the lead plaintiff, has filed a lawsuit against this order, arguing it violates press freedom and the First Amendment. A preliminary injunction was issued to restore funding, but a court of appeals later stayed this ruling.
• Stay motion decided — RFE/RL, Inc. v. Lake (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00799 — Following a preliminary injunction that ordered the Trump administration to restore funding to the Voice of America (VOA), a court of appeals issued a stay on this ruling. The court stated it did not have the authority to block Trump's executive order concerning employment matters. This stay prevents the immediate restoration of VOA's operations, leaving its staff and contractors in limbo as the legal battle continues.
• Trump Administration's Executive Order to Dismantle Voice of America
• Court of Appeals Stay on Preliminary Injunction Restoring VOA Funding

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• FCC investigates NPR and PBS under new leadership — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), now led by a Project 2025 author appointed by Trump, is investigating National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) with the potential to defund them. This aligns with Project 2025's recommendations to scrutinize and possibly defund public media.

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• Executive Order to End Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media — On May 1, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the cessation of federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The order mandates the CPB Board and all federal agencies to stop both direct and indirect funding to these organizations, citing concerns over biased and partisan news coverage. The order requires revisions to funding criteria and compliance checks to ensure no federal funds support NPR and PBS, with a deadline for implementation set before June 30, 2025.
• Trump Signs Executive Order Cutting Public Broadcasting Funds — On May 1, 2025, Trump signed an executive order to cut federal funding for public broadcasters NPR and PBS, a move criticized as "blatantly unlawful" by PBS President Paula Kerger. This order impacts public media funding and independence.
• Trump signs executive order to cut funding for public broadcasters — President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cease federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The order accuses these outlets of leftwing bias and claims that government funding of news media is outdated and undermines journalistic independence. The move is part of a broader conservative agenda to defund public media, which has been a longstanding goal. Public media organizations, including PBS, have expressed their intent to challenge the order, citing its potential impact on their ability to provide educational programming and news services.

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• Appeals Court Temporarily Reverses Rulings on Broadcasting Funds — A federal appeals court temporarily reversed parts of two lower-court rulings, allowing the Trump administration to continue withholding federal funds from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks. This decision affects international broadcasting operations.

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• USPS Cooperates with ICE to Locate Undocumented Immigrants — The Washington Post reported that the US Postal Inspection Service has started cooperating with ICE to locate suspected undocumented immigrants using photographs of envelopes, mail tracking, and other data. This cooperation raises privacy and civil liberties concerns.

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• Trump Administration Hosts Alternative Press Briefings with Right-Wing Media Figures — The Trump administration, through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, has initiated a series of alternative press briefings featuring right-wing media personalities. These briefings have included figures such as Winston Marshall, Tim Pool, and Dominick McGee, who have posed questions that align with conservative and extremist viewpoints. The briefings have been criticized for promoting propaganda and conspiracy theories, with questions often attacking mainstream media and endorsing controversial policies. The administration has expressed openness to expanding access to these new media figures.
• White House Holds Press Briefing for MAGA Influencers — The White House held its first press briefing for "new media," consisting of MAGA influencers and former press secretary Sean Spicer. The event included racially charged comments and questions about media direction. This reflects the administration's media strategy.

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• ABC pays $15 million under threat of a libel lawsuit from Trump administration
• Trump administration launches legal assaults on CBS and Des Moines Register
• Trump administration threatens federal funding for NPR and PBS

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• Trump Bars Associated Press from Oval Office
• Trump administration bars Associated Press from presidential pool

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• WHCA Withdraws Comedian's Invitation Amid Trump Tensions

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• DOJ Rescinds Policy Protecting Journalists from Subpoenas — Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the rescission of policies that previously protected journalists from being compelled to reveal sources in leak investigations. This change allows the Department of Justice to subpoena reporters and potentially jail them for contempt if they refuse to disclose their sources. The policy shift is expected to lead to significant First Amendment legal challenges against the administration.
• Bondi revokes journalists' free-speech protections — Attorney General Pam Bondi has reversed a recent Department of Justice policy by allowing authorities to compel journalists to reveal confidential sources in leak investigations. This move is seen as part of a broader effort to suppress critical reporting on the Trump administration, raising alarms about press freedom and government transparency.

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• Trump claims Ukraine war promise was made "figuratively" and "in jest" — Trump was pressed by TIME on his campaign promise to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office. Trump responded that he made the statement "figuratively" and "as an exaggeration, because to make a point," and claimed it was said "in jest." The bulletin notes that Trump made this promise repeatedly in campaign statements without joking tone and has now contradicted his earlier assurances to voters.

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• Trump campaign uses unsubstantiated DOGE cuts for political fundraising — The Trump campaign has sent fundraising emails to supporters suggesting they may receive $5,000 "DOGE rebate checks," based on claimed budget cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency. However, DOGE has not generated any actual reduction in federal spending, and the claimed cuts lack itemized verification. The campaign is using speculative and unsubstantiated fiscal claims as a political fundraising tool.

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• Trump demanded Fox News fire its pollster — Trump called on Rupert Murdoch to fire Fox News's pollster after a poll showed Trump's approval rating at 44 percent at the 100-day mark. Trump criticized the pollster for getting him and MAGA "wrong for years" and also called for changes at the Wall Street Journal. The Fox poll showed 72 percent of Americans believe tariffs make products more expensive, and 55 percent believe tariffs hurt the economy.

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• Trump claimed China meetings occurred without specifics — When a reporter told Trump that China was saying trade talks are not happening, Trump responded "They had a meeting this morning. We've been meeting with China. I think you have your reporting wrong." When asked who "they" refers to, Trump said "It doesn't matter who 'they' is." Trump provided no specific details about the meetings, participants, or substance.
• China denied active trade negotiations with U.S. — China's Ministry of Commerce spokesman He Yadong and Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun both denied that trade negotiations with the United States are occurring, contradicting Trump's claim that officials in his administration were actively negotiating a new trade deal with China. He Yadong stated claims about progress are "groundless" and called for the U.S. to cancel unilateral tariff measures. Guo Jiakun reiterated China's position: "If we fight, we will fight to the end; if we talk, the door is wide open."
• Trump administration announces South Korea trade deal; economists note existing agreement — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trump announced that their first trade deal will be with South Korea. Economist Justin Wolfers explained on CBS that the U.S. already has a free trade agreement with South Korea that has been in place for nearly 20 years, with almost all trade already tariff-free. Wolfers characterized the announcement as a public relations effort to paper over problems created by the Trump administration's tariff policies.
• Trump claims 200 trade deals made; contradicts Navarro's 90-in-90 pledge — Trump claimed in a TIME interview that he has made 200 trade deals, contradicting Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Peter Navarro's public pledge 14 days prior to complete 90 trade deals in 90 days. When asked why he has not announced these deals, Trump stated he would do so "over the next 3-4 weeks." Analysts noted this timeline is longer than his typical "2 weeks" promise, suggesting the deals may not materialize.
• Trump claims Xi Jinping called to negotiate trade deal; China denies — In a TIME interview, Trump claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping has called him multiple times to negotiate a trade deal. When pressed for specifics, Trump provided vague responses. China's government denied that any such calls occurred. As Trump boarded Air Force One for Rome, he reiterated the claim but refused to provide details, stating only that he would announce deals "over the next 3-4 weeks."
• Trump asserts tariff negotiations with China; China denies — On Friday, Donald Trump claimed in an interview that tariff negotiations were underway with China, repeating the assertion en route to Rome for Pope Francis's funeral. China's foreign ministry immediately denied the claim, stating the US "should stop creating confusion." The following day, China's foreign minister Wang Yi criticized countries engaging in "bullying pressure and coercive transactions" and trade wars, without directly naming the US but in clear reference to Trump's tariff actions.
• Trump claimed ongoing China trade negotiations while China denied any talks — President Trump stated on Tuesday that he was negotiating with China and that the 145% tariff rates he had imposed would soon come down "substantially," and on Wednesday said "everything's active" in negotiations. However, China's foreign ministry spokesperson stated that "China and the U.S. are not having any consultation or negotiation on tariffs, still less reaching a deal," and China's commerce spokesperson said any claims about progress were "groundless" and had "no factual basis." When asked about China's denial, Trump claimed "they had a meeting this morning" but refused to identify who "they" were.
• Trump misrepresents trade negotiations with China — President Trump claimed that negotiations with China regarding tariffs were ongoing, despite a spokesperson from China's foreign ministry stating that no consultations were taking place. This misrepresentation reflects Trump's ongoing struggle to manage international trade relations effectively.

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• RFK Jr. proposes autism study using private medical records and health registry — Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr announced plans for a large-scale autism study drawing on private medical records from federal and commercial databases, plus a new health registry to track autistic Americans. Simultaneously, a leaked HHS draft proposes cuts to disability services, education, and research. Kennedy has also claimed autism "destroys" families and does not contribute to society—claims contradicted by research showing genetics underlie 95% of autism cases and that diagnostic increases reflect improved awareness, not an "epidemic."
• Musk accessed and collected government data on U.S. individuals — Elon Musk, overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency, has been scooping up data from various government agencies about individuals in the U.S. This data collection represents a "treasure trove" that could be used for shaping society, garnering government contracts, raising money through sale, or blackmailing individuals. The collection occurred following Tesla's earnings plunge of 71% in the first quarter.
• NIH collecting Americans' private medical records without explicit consent for autism study — Director of the National Institutes of Health Dr. Jay Bhattacharya announced that the NIH is collecting Americans' private medical records from federal and commercial databases, including from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Indian Health Service, pharmacy medication records, and smartwatch/fitness tracker data, to support Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s pledge to identify autism causes by September. The NIH is also in talks with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to access additional databases.
• NIH collects private medical records for autism study — The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced it is collecting private medical records from various sources, including federal and commercial databases, to study the causes of autism. This initiative has raised concerns about privacy and the handling of sensitive health information.

Supporting reports

• Appeal filed — Abramowitz v. Lake (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00887 — Judge Royce Lamberth granted the Plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, issuing the order alongside Widakuswara v. Lake to facilitate appellate review. In granting this motion, Judge Lamberth blocked Defendants from dismantling VOA. Defendants appealed this order to the D.C. Circuit on April 24.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Widakuswara v. Kari Lake (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01015 — Judge Lamberth issued an order that granted in part and denied in part Plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction. The memorandum opinion explains the court ordered Defendants to take all necessary steps to return USAGM employees and contractors to their status prior to the EO, restore the grant funding to Radio Free Asia, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and restore VOA programming. The motion was denied to the extent it relates to RFE/RL and OTF.
• Federal judge ordered Trump administration to restore Voice of America and other news services — U.S. District Judge Carl Lamberth issued a ruling requiring the Trump administration to restore Voice of America and several other federally funded news services that had been shut down. The court found that VOA is funded by Congress, which mandated it provide news to a global audience, and ruled the administration's attempt to disband it constitutes "a direct affront to the power of the legislative branch." The decision may affect other unilateral agency abolitions undertaken by the administration.

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• DOGE inflates spending-cut claims without itemized support — The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) updated its official website on April 20, 2025, to claim $160 billion in spending cuts, up from $155 billion, but provided no new itemized documentation for the $5 billion increase. Analysis by Musk Watch's DOGE Tracker found that only $12.6 billion in cuts are verifiable against original government sources, while the claimed total of $160 billion far exceeds the $61.5 billion itemized on the website. The discrepancy suggests DOGE is publicly inflating budget-cut figures without substantiation.

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• White House edits New York Times headline and posts false claims about Abrego Garcia — After Senator Chris Van Hollen visited Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador on April 18, the White House posted on social media an image of a New York Times headline edited with red pen to falsely label Abrego Garcia as an "MS-13 ILLEGAL ALIEN" and claimed he would never return to the United States. The White House also posted a digitally altered image of a hand with fabricated "MS-13" tattoos superimposed on the knuckles, falsely attributing it to Abrego Garcia and claiming courts had found him to be an MS-13 member—claims contradicted by court records and expert analysis.
• White House tweeted doctored photo of migrant with altered gang tattoo — The White House tweeted a picture of Trump holding a doctored photo of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia's hand, which was digitally altered to add 'MS-13' on his knuckles. The image was fabricated to falsely associate the migrant with gang membership, representing a deliberate use of misinformation by the administration to inflame public sentiment against immigrants.

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• FBI arrests Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan on obstruction allegations related to immigration enforcement — The FBI arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, April 18, 2025, alleging she obstructed federal immigration officers attempting to arrest a defendant in her courtroom. According to the criminal complaint, Dugan directed the defendant and his attorney to a private exit to evade the arrest team. FBI Director Kash Patel posted a photograph of Dugan in handcuffs on social media. Republicans called for her removal; Democrats condemned the arrest as an attack on judicial independence and weaponization of federal law enforcement by the Trump administration.
• FBI Director Kash Patel posts photograph of arrested judge on social media — FBI Director Kash Patel posted a photograph of Judge Hannah Dugan in handcuffs on Twitter/X on Friday night with the caption "No one is above the law." The post served as a public signal that the Trump administration welcomed a political confrontation over the judge's arrest and framed the arrest as enforcement of equal accountability.

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• Trump administration replaces Covid.gov with "lab leak" theory website and criticism of Fauci — The Trump White House replaced Covid.gov, which previously provided Americans with information about free Covid-19 tests, vaccines, treatments, and long Covid resources, with a website promoting the "lab leak" theory and containing criticism of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the WHO, and New York state leadership. The new site argues that NIH procedures for funding research are "deficient" and "pose a serious threat" to public health and national security, and claims the NIH "fostered an environment that promoted evading federal record keeping laws."