Trump Action Archive

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• FCC approved Skydance-Paramount merger — The FCC voted to approve the merger of Skydance Media and Paramount Global. This approval came less than a day after Paramount fired Stephen Colbert and settled lawsuits with Trump, according to the bulletin's reporting.
• Skydance Media agrees to eliminate civil rights and DEI programs as condition of FCC merger approval — To obtain Federal Communications Commission approval of an $8 billion merger between CBS parent company Paramount and Skydance Media, Skydance agreed to eliminate programs related to civil rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to produce "unbiased" journalism. FCC Chair Brendan Carr approved the merger and subsequently bragged on right-wing media that CBS agreed to install an internal political "bias monitor" reporting to Paramount's president to ensure news coverage favorable to Trump and the right wing.
• FCC approves Paramount and Skydance Media merger — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media, which is valued at $8 billion. This approval comes after Skydance Media promised to eliminate Paramount's diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and to address perceived bias at CBS News to gain support from the administration. The merger is significant as it reflects the influence of political considerations on corporate practices in media.
• FCC approved Paramount-Skydance merger — The Federal Communications Commission approved the $8 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media on July 25, 2025, after Skydance committed to eliminating Paramount's diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and addressing alleged bias at CBS News.
• Skydance Media promised to eliminate diversity and inclusion practices at Paramount to secure FCC merger approval — Skydance Media, in merger negotiations with Paramount Global requiring Federal Communications Commission approval, publicly committed to eliminating Paramount's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices and rooting out alleged "bias" at CBS News. The commitment was made to win administration support for the $8 billion merger. The FCC approved the merger the same day.

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• Skydance Media agrees to eliminate civil rights and DEI programs as condition of FCC merger approval — To obtain Federal Communications Commission approval of an $8 billion merger between CBS parent company Paramount and Skydance Media, Skydance agreed to eliminate programs related to civil rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to produce "unbiased" journalism. FCC Chair Brendan Carr approved the merger and subsequently bragged on right-wing media that CBS agreed to install an internal political "bias monitor" reporting to Paramount's president to ensure news coverage favorable to Trump and the right wing.
• Skydance Media promised to eliminate diversity and inclusion practices at Paramount to secure FCC merger approval — Skydance Media, in merger negotiations with Paramount Global requiring Federal Communications Commission approval, publicly committed to eliminating Paramount's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices and rooting out alleged "bias" at CBS News. The commitment was made to win administration support for the $8 billion merger. The FCC approved the merger the same day.
• FCC approves Paramount and Skydance Media merger — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media, which is valued at $8 billion. This approval comes after Skydance Media promised to eliminate Paramount's diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and to address perceived bias at CBS News to gain support from the administration. The merger is significant as it reflects the influence of political considerations on corporate practices in media.

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• White House removes Wall Street Journal reporter from Trump's Scotland trip — The White House removed Tarini Parti, a Wall Street Journal reporter scheduled to serve as print pooler for the final two days of Trump's four-day trip to his golf courses in Turnberry and Aberdeen, Scotland, from the trip manifest. The White House took control of pool rotations earlier in 2025, removing that authority from the White House Correspondents' Association. The removal follows the WSJ's recent story connecting Trump to Jeffrey Epstein via a signed birthday card.
• Press Secretary Leavitt defends exclusion of Wall Street Journal from coverage — Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the Wall Street Journal and other news outlets are not guaranteed special access to cover President Trump in the Oval Office, aboard Air Force One, or in private workspaces. She cited the WSJ's "fake and defamatory conduct" as the reason for excluding them from the 13 outlets on board Trump's trip, while claiming the White House has "taken significant steps to include as many voices as possible."
• White House removed Wall Street Journal from Trump's press pool — The White House pulled the Wall Street Journal off the reporters' pool covering Trump's Friday trip to Scotland after the Journal published an article about a "bawdy" letter the president wrote to Epstein in 2003. In response, the New York Times released a statement in solidarity, calling the move "an attack on the core constitutional principles underpinning free speech and a free press" and "simple retribution by a president against a news organization for doing reporting he doesn't like."
• White House assumes direct control of press pool assignments — The Trump administration has assumed direct control of press pool assignments, a role traditionally managed by the White House Correspondents' Association. This shift enables selective inclusion and exclusion of media outlets from official access, representing a departure from established norms of independent press pool management.
• White House bars Wall Street Journal from press pool over Epstein reporting — The Trump administration excluded the Wall Street Journal from the White House press pool following the publication of investigative reporting about alleged ties between Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, specifically a story claiming Trump sent a "bawdy" birthday letter to Epstein in 2003. The New York Times and White House Correspondents' Association condemned the exclusion as retribution and an attack on press freedom. Trump has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the WSJ; the paper stands by its reporting.
• Trump administration sues Wall Street Journal over Epstein story — The Trump administration sued the Wall Street Journal and its owner Rupert Murdoch in response to reporting that Trump had sent Epstein a lewd drawing and suggestive dialogue. The lawsuit represents a direct legal action against press coverage of Trump's personal connections to Epstein during a period of heightened scrutiny over the administration's handling of Epstein files.
• Trump files defamation lawsuits against major media companies — Trump has filed lawsuits against several major media companies, including CBS/Paramount, ABC News, Meta, and the Wall Street Journal. The article notes that all companies have settled their cases for millions of dollars. These lawsuits follow unfavorable reporting and represent a pattern of legal action against press outlets.
• Trump sues Wall Street Journal and bans outlet from press pool over Epstein letter report — After the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump allegedly sent a "bawdy" letter to Epstein in 2003, Trump sued the Journal and its owners. In retaliation, the paper was subsequently banned from participating in the press pool during Trump's upcoming trip to Scotland. The action reflects Trump's use of legal threats and access restrictions to punish media coverage of his ties to Epstein.

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• Trump administration sues Corporation for Public Broadcasting members — The Trump administration sued three members of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting more than two months after the president tried to fire them. The corporation provides funding to PBS and NPR, two public broadcasters that Trump defunded later in the week.

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• House Republicans pass Trump's $9 billion federal funding rescissions package — The House of Representatives passed a rescissions bill on a party-line vote (216–213) that claws back $9 billion in federal spending, including $8 billion in foreign assistance and $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which funds NPR and PBS). Two Republicans broke ranks. The Senate had approved the measure earlier; it now heads to the president's desk for signature. The vote was delayed by Democratic amendments related to Jeffrey Epstein documents.

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• Senate considers $9.4 billion spending rescission package — The Senate considered a White House request for Congress to approve $9.4 billion in spending cuts the Trump administration made unilaterally to congressionally appropriated funds. The package includes ending federal support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR, PBS, and local stations. The House had already passed it. Congress must approve by Friday or the funds revert to original appropriations. Senate Republicans expressed frustration that the White House had not specified which programs would be cut.
• Senate Republicans and White House reverse PEPFAR funding cut — Senate Republicans and the White House reached an agreement to reverse a proposed $400 million cut to PEPFAR, the global HIV and AIDS relief program, as part of Trump's $9 billion recissions package. The reversal preserved funding for the international health initiative.
• Trump administration announces plan to defund public broadcasting — The Trump administration included in its rescission package a request to end federal support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR, PBS, and local public broadcasting stations. The administration stated that NPR and PBS "fuel…partisanship and left-wing propaganda." The cuts are part of the broader $9.4 billion rescission request before Congress.
• Senate Republicans advance rescissions bill cutting $9bn in public broadcasting and foreign aid — Senate Republicans moved to pass a rescissions package slashing up to $9bn in previously appropriated funds, targeting $1.1bn for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which funds NPR and PBS) and approximately $8bn in foreign assistance. The GOP is racing to meet a Friday legal deadline. Vice President JD Vance broke a tie on a procedural vote after three Republican senators joined all Democrats in opposition. The Senate began a vote-a-rama on Wednesday afternoon. Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced a compromise to preserve $400m in PEPFAR funding, requiring a second House vote.
• Senate passes Trump rescissions package to claw back $9bn in spending — Congressional Republicans advanced legislation requested by President Trump to rescind $9 billion in previously appropriated federal funding, including $1.1 billion for public broadcasting (NPR/PBS) and approximately $8 billion in foreign aid. The Senate passed the bill 51–48 on July 17, 2025, with Republican senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins voting against it. The measure now returns to the House for final approval before the 45-day rescission window expires on July 18.
• US Senate passes Trump-requested rescissions package cutting $9bn in foreign aid and public broadcasting — The Republican-controlled Senate voted 51–48 to approve a rescissions bill that claws back $9 billion in previously appropriated spending, including $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which funds NPR and PBS) and approximately $8 billion in foreign assistance. All Democrats and two Republicans (Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins) opposed the measure. Senate Majority Leader John Thune framed it as "fiscal sanity," while Democrats condemned it as an unconstitutional surrender of Congress's spending authority to the executive branch. The bill now proceeds to the House for final approval before a Friday deadline.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• Trump administration terminates 639 employees at Voice of America — The Trump administration announced the termination of 639 employees at Voice of America (VOA) and its parent organization, the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM). This move is part of a broader effort that has eliminated 1,400 positions since March, significantly reducing the international broadcasting service. The cuts are seen as a near-complete dismantling of an organization that once reached 360 million people weekly. The administration justified the terminations by labeling the agency as dysfunctional and biased. Legal challenges against the terminations are ongoing.
• Trump Administration Issues Layoff Notices at VOA — The Trump administration issued layoff notices to over 600 employees at Voice of America, with terminations expected by September. The layoffs significantly reduce the organization's staff and impact its operations.

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• House Republicans Pass Bill to Defund Public Broadcasters — House Republicans narrowly passed a $9.4 billion "rescissions" bill that includes defunding public broadcasters NPR and PBS. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it faces further debate and potential opposition.

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• ABC News Suspends Correspondent Over Trump Criticism — ABC News suspended senior national correspondent Terry Moran after he tweeted criticism of President Trump and Stephen Miller, calling them "world-class hater[s]." The suspension followed the administration's outreach to ABC, suggesting pressure on media organizations to conform to government expectations.
• ABC fires political correspondent Terry Moran — ABC's chief political correspondent Terry Moran was fired for a post about Stephen Miller, which has been interpreted as a capitulation to pressure from Trump.

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• NPR and Public Radio Stations File Lawsuit Against Trump's Executive Order — NPR, along with three Colorado-based public radio stations, has filed a lawsuit challenging an executive order by President Trump that cuts federal funding to media outlets he deems "biased." The lawsuit argues that the order violates the First Amendment by targeting NPR and PBS for their news coverage, which the president considers biased. The executive order, signed on May 1, aims to strip direct and indirect funding from these public media organizations. NPR and its partners seek to have the order permanently blocked and declared unconstitutional.

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• Pentagon Press Access Restricted — Gabrielle Cuccia, a correspondent for OAN, reported being fired after criticizing Pete Hegseth's restrictions on press access at the Pentagon. Cuccia claimed that the Pentagon briefing room doors were locked, a protocol not previously in place. Hegseth has not conducted any press briefings as Secretary.

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• Trump administration fires nearly 600 contractors at Voice of America — The Trump administration has terminated nearly 600 contractors at Voice of America (VOA), a US-funded international news network. The firings, announced on Thursday, affected mostly journalists and some administrative staff, representing more than one-third of VOA’s workforce. This move defies a recent court order requiring the government to maintain strong news operations at VOA. Many of the dismissed journalists, who are from authoritarian countries, now face deportation as their visas are tied to their jobs. The administration cited "the government’s convenience" as the reason for the firings.

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• White House Launches "White House Wire" Website
• White House Posts AI-Generated Image with Political Message
• White House Posts Video of Deportation Flights

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• Voice of America Contracts with One America News for Newsfeed — Voice of America (VoA), a government-funded organization, has contracted with One America News (OAN), a hard-right news network, to provide newsfeed and video services. This decision was announced by Kari Lake, a special adviser to VoA's parent company, who emphasized cost-saving measures. The move has sparked concerns about press freedom and the neutrality of VoA, traditionally a politically neutral news source. VoA journalists, who have been restricted from their newsroom since a March executive order, are challenging these changes in court.

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• Executive Order Shuts Down VoA Operations — An executive order signed by Donald Trump in mid-March has effectively shut down Voice of America (VoA) operations, taking them off the air and offline. This order has resulted in approximately 1,300 VoA employees being placed on leave. The order is part of a broader effort to dismantle the agency overseeing VoA, which has historically been a pro-democracy voice. A federal judge blocked the order to shutter VoA, but the ruling is currently under government appeal.
• Trump Administration's Executive Order Shuts Down Voice of America — In March, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), effectively shutting down Voice of America (VoA) and placing 1,300 employees on administrative leave. The order also canceled federal grants for sister outlets like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia. This move has been criticized as a crackdown on press freedom, with VoA's broadcasts going dark for the first time since World War II. A federal judge temporarily blocked the dismantling, but the situation remains unresolved as legal challenges continue.

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• 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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• 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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• 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.