Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• National park entrance fees diverted to Trump D.C. renovation projects — The New York Times reported that the Trump administration has diverted at least $67 million in entrance fees paid by the American people to national parks to fund Trump's renovation projects in Washington, D.C. The diverted funds include a multi-million dollar contract to repaint the Reflecting Pool, awarded to a MAGA-connected contractor. The diversion represents a misappropriation of public funds collected for park maintenance and operations.
• National Park Service diverts $67 million in entrance fees for DC beautification — The National Park Service is using at least $67 million in park entrance fees to fund beautification projects in Washington, D.C., ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration. The projects were directed by Trump and include a $7 million paint job on the Reflecting Pool. The Interior Department is spending at least $95 million in total taxpayer funds on DC beautification projects, all initiated between December 2025 and April 2026. The funds come from entrance fees that would normally support park operations and maintenance nationwide.

Supporting reports

• White House proposes legislation to place Trump's image on new $250 currency bill — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced at a White House press conference that the administration is pushing Congress to approve legislation permitting a living person—Donald Trump—to appear on a new $250 bill, ostensibly to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary. The proposal would require changing a federal law enacted in 1866 that prohibits any living person from appearing on U.S. currency. Bessent stated the treasury has already begun preparing prototypes. House Democrats, led by Hakeem Jeffries, immediately opposed the measure, calling it a "hard no."
• Trump administration pushed to place Trump's face on $250 bill — The Washington Post reported that Trump's political appointees pressured the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to design a proposed $250 bill featuring Trump's portrait. Federal law has prohibited living people from appearing on U.S. currency since 1866, and a $250 denomination does not exist and would require an act of Congress. The bureau's director informed the appointees the proposal was illegal and would take years to implement. The director was subsequently reassigned and effectively demoted, and the political appointee who led the push became the acting director.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration pushed to place Trump's face on $250 bill — The Washington Post reported that Trump's political appointees pressured the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to design a proposed $250 bill featuring Trump's portrait. Federal law has prohibited living people from appearing on U.S. currency since 1866, and a $250 denomination does not exist and would require an act of Congress. The bureau's director informed the appointees the proposal was illegal and would take years to implement. The director was subsequently reassigned and effectively demoted, and the political appointee who led the push became the acting director.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration redirected national park entrance fees to White House projects — The Trump administration is using $7 million in entrance fees collected from visitors to national parks across the country to pay for repairs to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The administration is also using nearly $60 million in national park fees to repair nine ornamental fountains in the capital. The reflecting pool contractor was awarded a no-bid contract and is being paid an inflated and excessive profit margin; the government is paying $13.1 million for the work, seven times Trump's initial stated cost.
• National park entrance fees diverted to Trump D.C. renovation projects — The New York Times reported that the Trump administration has diverted at least $67 million in entrance fees paid by the American people to national parks to fund Trump's renovation projects in Washington, D.C. The diverted funds include a multi-million dollar contract to repaint the Reflecting Pool, awarded to a MAGA-connected contractor. The diversion represents a misappropriation of public funds collected for park maintenance and operations.
• National Park Service diverts $67 million in entrance fees for DC beautification — The National Park Service is using at least $67 million in park entrance fees to fund beautification projects in Washington, D.C., ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration. The projects were directed by Trump and include a $7 million paint job on the Reflecting Pool. The Interior Department is spending at least $95 million in total taxpayer funds on DC beautification projects, all initiated between December 2025 and April 2026. The funds come from entrance fees that would normally support park operations and maintenance nationwide.
• Interior Department contracts $5 million to gild Lincoln Memorial horses — The Interior Department awarded a $5 million contract to a Maryland gilding studio to restore and cover four bronze horse statues surrounding the Lincoln Memorial with 23.75-karat gold leaf in preparation for the nation's 250th anniversary on July 4. The horses, which have retained their original patina since restoration in the 1970s, will be gilded at Trump's direction. The project is part of the broader $95 million DC beautification initiative.

Supporting reports

• White House began construction of UFC stadium on south lawn for Trump's birthday event — Construction commenced on the south lawn of the White House for a stadium to host a UFC fight scheduled for Trump's birthday on June 14. The White House released a photo of the expected event layout.
• UFC arena construction on White House lawn for Trump's 80th birthday celebration — Construction began on the White House lawn for a temporary 5,000-seat UFC arena to host mixed martial arts fights on 14 June, coinciding with Donald Trump's 80th birthday and the US's 250th anniversary. The event will feature two title fights: a lightweight championship between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, and an interim heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane. Trump announced the plan last year and has scaled back initial expectations from 20-25,000 attendees and eight or nine fights to the current configuration.
• UFC arena constructed on White House grounds for Trump birthday event — Workers are constructing a massive 90-foot-tall structure called "The Claw" on the White House lawn to frame a temporary octagon fighting arena for Ultimate Fighting Championship fights that Trump will host on his birthday, June 14. The structure is designed to frame the White House and Washington Monument for television during the event. This follows Trump's destruction of the East Wing and paving of the Rose Garden to create a patio resembling the one at Mar-a-Lago.

Supporting reports

• Commission of Fine Arts approves designs for 250ft Trump arch in Washington — The US Commission of Fine Arts, composed of Trump appointees, voted to approve designs for a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch ("Arc de Trump") to be built near Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC. The approval marks a key procedural step; the design will next be reviewed by the National Capital Planning Commission. A group of military veterans and historic preservationists has sued to block construction, arguing the structure lacks congressional approval and would disrupt Arlington's symbolic integrity.
• Commission of Fine Arts approved design for Trump triumphal arch — The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, composed entirely of Trump appointees, approved the design plan for a 250-foot triumphal arch Trump wants built on Memorial Circle between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The commissioners approved the project despite receiving more than 600 letters of public opposition. The project still requires review by another federal panel before construction can proceed.

Supporting reports

• Trump holds press event at Golden Ballroom construction site — U.S. President Donald Trump held a chaotic press event outside the construction site of his planned Golden Ballroom in Washington, D.C. During the event, Trump claimed that the building would protect all of Washington, D.C., and boasted that the ballroom roof would host snipers with a clear view of the city. The event highlights Trump's focus on personal projects amid ongoing national and international issues.
• Trump presented ballroom construction project to press — Trump conducted a lengthy presentation to the press at a ballroom construction site, emphasizing the building's security features and architectural significance. Trump described the structure as featuring a drone-proof flat roof with strong steel, titanium fencing around the White House, impenetrable steel and glass walls with 4-inch-thick glass, and design elements modeled after classical buildings from around the world. Trump stated "There will never be another building like this built" and emphasized the military utility of the structure.
• Trump holds press conference to discuss White House ballroom security features — During the same day Acting Attorney General Blanche testified before Congress regarding the controversial fund, Trump called a sudden, urgent press conference to discuss renovations to the White House ballroom. Trump described extensive security modifications including drone-proofing, missile-proofing, and sniper positions built into the ballroom's height to provide "a very clear view of everything all over Washington," characterizing the White House as a fortified military installation.

Supporting reports

• Trump announced plans for "National Garden of American Heroes" in West Potomac Park — Trump announced via social media that he intends to place his "National Garden of American Heroes" in West Potomac Park. He referenced a 22-foot gold statue of himself at his Doral golf club and compared the project to China's Ballroom, stating the U.S. facility would be "the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the U.S.A." with a scheduled opening around September 2028. The announcement came hours after his return from China.
• Freedom 250 planned events showcasing Trump rather than historical themes for 250th anniversary — Freedom 250 planned anniversary celebration events that prioritized showcasing President Trump over significant historical events and themes. Planned events included an IndyCar race around the National Mall, construction of a triumphal arch near the Lincoln Memorial, an Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House lawn on Trump's 80th birthday in June, and the "Rededicate 250" evangelical worship event.
• Trump administration created Freedom 250 organization to oversee 250th anniversary celebrations outside congressional oversight — In December 2025, President Trump created Freedom 250, a new organization to manage the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations, bypassing the bipartisan America250 commission established by Congress in 2016. The Trump administration allocated $100 million in federal appropriations to Freedom 250 compared to $50 million to America250. Freedom 250 solicited corporate donations in exchange for access to Trump from sponsors including ExxonMobil, Mastercard, Deloitte, Palantir, and IndyCar, with donors permitted to request anonymity.

Supporting reports

• Senate Democrats announce opposition to $1bn White House ballroom security funding in Republican reconciliation bill — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Democratic opposition to a Republican reconciliation bill that includes $1bn in federal funding for security improvements to a ballroom Trump is building on the White House's East Wing. The funding is part of a broader $70bn measure for immigration enforcement agencies. Schumer vowed to force multiple amendment votes and challenge the bill's reconciliation compliance, framing the choice as between helping American families or funding "Trump's gaudy ballroom."
• House Republicans bracing for White House pressure to approve $1 billion bill for ballroom security — Politico reported that House Republicans are preparing for the White House to pressure them heavily to approve $1 billion in a GOP bill designated for White House ballroom security. One House Republican characterized the effort as going to be "ugly." Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) warned that voting for the bill would be politically toxic, stating Democrats would use it to target senators. Punchbowl reported that vulnerable Republicans including Senators Susan Collins (ME), Dan Sullivan (AK), and Jon Husted (OH) are being forced to answer questions about the ballroom funding, which Democrats plan to use against them in the midterms.

Supporting reports

• Trump posted images of renovated Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool — President Trump's social media account posted five images of the Washington, D.C., reflecting pool colored electric blue over the weekend of May 10-11, 2026, with one post claiming Trump had renovated it in a week for just $2 million. The account also posted multiple images of a proposed ballroom on the site where Trump bulldozed the East Wing of the White House, championing the project as part of his legacy.
• Trump posted self-promotional content on social media — Over the weekend of May 10-11, 2026, President Trump's social media account posted extensive self-promotional content, including posts declaring "Excellent Poll Numbers. Thank you!" and reposting stories claiming he had delivered "remarkable leadership," is "Master of the Deal," ranks among the top three presidents in U.S. history, or is "WITHOUT A DOUBT THE GREATEST PRESIDENT WE HAVE EVER KNOWN." Multiple posts called him "The Greatest of All Time." By far the most frequent postings on the president's social media account over the weekend were praise for Trump himself.

Supporting reports

• Trump awarded no-bid contract for Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool repairs — Trump awarded a $6.9 million no-bid contract to Atlantic Industrial Coatings to reseal joints, waterproof, and paint the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. The company had never won a federal contract before but had worked at one of Trump's golf clubs. Trump bypassed the required competitive bidding and review process by invoking an exemption designed for emergencies, citing the need to complete work before the July 4, 2026 Declaration of Independence anniversary. The contract price is more than triple the $1.8 million Trump initially promised, and officials estimate the repairs will last 7–10 years rather than the 50 years Trump claimed.
• Cost of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool project increased 88 percent to $13.1 million — According to New York Times reporting, the cost of Trump's plan to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool jumped 88 percent to $13.1 million. Government records showed the price appeared to include a 20 percent profit margin for Trump's handpicked contractor, who received the job via no-bid contract.

Supporting reports

• Senate Republicans advance $72 billion reconciliation package for immigration enforcement and White House security — Senate Republicans released text of a $72 billion reconciliation package on May 4, 2026, that includes $30.7 billion for ICE, $3.5 billion for CBP immigration enforcement, and $32.5 billion for additional DHS programs. The package also includes $1 billion for Secret Service "security adjustments and upgrades" connected to the White House ballroom modernization project. Committee markups are scheduled for the week of May 19. Republicans are using reconciliation to bypass the 60-vote threshold, allowing passage with 51 votes, after Democrats refused to fund ICE and CBP without reforms.
• Senate Republicans released budget reconciliation bill including $1 billion for White House ballroom — Senate Republicans released their funding request for a budget reconciliation bill that includes $1 billion in taxpayer money for a secure ballroom at the White House. Trump had begun demolishing the East Wing on October 20, 2025, initially claiming he and private donors would fund the ballroom entirely. The measure uses budget reconciliation, which cannot be filibustered and requires no Democratic votes to pass the Senate.
• Senate Republicans included $1 billion for Trump's ballroom in DHS funding bill — Senate Republicans released the text of a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security that included $1 billion in taxpayer money designated for the "East Wing Modernization Project, including above-ground and below-ground security features" at Trump's property. The bill also allocated $3.4 billion for CBP through 2029 and $30 billion for ICE. Senate GOP leaders planned to bring the reconciliation bill to the floor the week of May 18.
• Senate Republicans propose $1bn funding package for White House security tied to Trump ballroom project — Senator Chuck Grassley released a Republican-led immigration enforcement funding bill that includes $1bn in proposed appropriations for "security adjustments and upgrades" within the White House compound perimeter, explicitly tied to the "East Wing Modernization Project"—the Trump administration's plan to rebuild the East Wing as a ballroom. The measure restricts funds to security elements only, though Democrats argue it effectively subsidizes the ballroom construction. The proposal comes after an armed man attempted to storm the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in April.
• Senate Republicans propose $1 billion for Trump's ballroom — Senate Republicans released a funding request for a budget reconciliation bill that includes $1 billion for White House security, specifically for a ballroom proposed by former President Donald Trump. This funding is being advanced through budget reconciliation, allowing it to pass without Democratic votes. The proposal follows Trump's earlier claims that he would fund the ballroom himself, raising concerns about the use of taxpayer money for personal projects.
• House and Senate Republicans raised concerns about $1 billion ballroom funding — Multiple House and Senate Republicans privately raised alarms about a $1 billion allocation in the GOP's reconciliation bill designated for ballroom-related construction. Republican members expressed concern about the political vulnerability of the vote, with one House member stating "A first-year political science major would know not to ask members to take this vote" and another declaring "There is no way in hell that this will get 218 votes on the floor." Senate Democrats prepared to use the vote-a-rama process to highlight the funding as an example of GOP priorities misaligned with cost-of-living concerns.

Supporting reports

• White House social media posted image of Trump and King Charles with "TWO KINGS" caption — On the afternoon of April 28, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the official White House social media account posted a photograph of President Trump and King Charles III, who was visiting the United States on a state visit, with the caption "TWO KINGS."
• White House social media posts caption "TWO KINGS" alongside Trump and King Charles photograph — The official White House social media account posted a photograph of President Trump and King Charles III with the caption "TWO KINGS" at approximately the time King Charles finished his address to Congress. The article characterizes this as appearing to miss the substantive point of King Charles's speech, which emphasized democratic principles, rule of law, and diversity over nationalist bloodline ideology.

Supporting reports

• State Department issues limited-edition 'America250' passports featuring Trump's portrait — The U.S. State Department announced it will issue limited-edition passports commemorating the nation's 250th anniversary of independence. The passports will display a large photograph of President Donald Trump on the inside cover, surrounded by Declaration of Independence text, the U.S. flag, and his gold-rendered signature. The initiative is part of the broader "America250" celebration program. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed the passports retain existing security features while adding "customized artwork and enhanced imagery."
• State Department finalized plan to place Trump image on U.S. passports — According to reporting by Benjamin Parker of The Bulwark on April 28, 2026, the State Department is finalizing plans to place an image of President Trump's face on U.S. passports issued from the Washington, D.C. Passport Agency. This follows the administration's earlier decisions to mint a $1 coin with Trump's face, issue a gold commemorative coin with his image, and place Trump's face on national park passes.
• State Department announced commemorative Trump passports for 250th anniversary — The State Department confirmed it is preparing a limited release of commemorative U.S. passports featuring Donald Trump's portrait on the inside cover with his signature in gold, as part of the country's 250th anniversary celebrations. Between 25,000 and 30,000 passports will be available through the Washington, D.C., passport office beginning around July 4. Trump would be the first living president featured on a U.S. passport. The article notes that public documents belong to the public and are not meant to become personal branding.

Supporting reports

• Representative Chip Roy pushed for taxpayer funding of White House ballroom — According to reporting by Meidas reporter Pablo Manriquez, Representative Chip Roy advocated for using taxpayer funds to pay for the White House ballroom construction. When Manriquez asked Senator Ron Johnson if he would support Roy's push for public funding, Johnson responded affirmatively, stating "Sure" when asked if he would vote for public funds to be used for the ballroom.
• House Republicans propose $400 million taxpayer funding for Trump ballroom — Senate Republicans, led by Sen. Lindsey Graham, announced plans to introduce legislation authorizing $400 million in taxpayer funding to build a ballroom at the White House, to be offset by customs fees. Trump originally claimed in February 2025 the ballroom would be paid entirely from his own pocket, then shifted to donor funding, and now seeks public money. Rep. Lauren Boebert cited national security as justification. Multiple Democratic representatives criticized the proposal as grift and misplaced priorities given infrastructure and healthcare needs. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene sarcastically criticized the spending in the context of broader foreign policy and budget priorities.
• Senate Republicans introduced legislation to fund Trump ballroom with $400 million — A group of Senate Republicans introduced legislation authorizing $400 million in federal spending to build a ballroom at a Trump property. The proposal uses public funds for a private commercial facility, exemplifying the blending of public resources and private business interests.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration awards no-bid contract to ballroom builder for fountain repairs — The Trump administration secretly awarded a no-bid $17.4 million contract to Clark Construction, the company building the White House ballroom, to repair two ornamental fountains in Lafayette Park. The Biden administration had estimated the same work at $3.3 million in 2022. The Trump administration justified the cost increase by adding 27% inflation, then 24% additional inflation, then 50% more for expedited completion. The contract should have been open for competitive bidding, but the administration cited an "urgency" exception meant for war or natural disasters to bypass normal procurement procedures. The government will pay for the repairs while Trump claims private donations will fund the ballroom.

Supporting reports

• U.S. District Judge Richard Leon halted above-ground construction of White House ballroom — U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, issued an order halting above-ground construction of a proposed White House ballroom but permitting construction of the below-ground bunker to continue. The decision prompted President Trump to post four lengthy social media screeds attacking the judge as "Trump Hating" and claiming the ballroom is essential to national security, containing bomb shelters, military installations, and protective infrastructure. Trump characterized the judicial order as "illegal overreach" and "a mockery to our Court System."
• Federal judge limits Trump's White House ballroom project — Federal Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, ruled that construction on Trump's planned White House ballroom project can proceed only on an underground portion deemed necessary for national security, not on the 90,000-square-foot aboveground addition Trump wanted for entertaining VIP guests. Judge Leon wrote that "national security is not a blank check to proceed with otherwise unlawful activity." Trump had argued the entire project counted as a security project because of bulletproof glass and bomb shelters.
• Trump attacks federal judge blocking White House ballroom construction — Trump attacked a federal judge on Truth Social who blocked the administration's above-ground construction of a White House ballroom, calling the judge "Trump Hating" and "highly political" and baselessly accusing him of "illegal overreach." The judge had authorized below-ground construction, citing protection of national security facilities. Trump claimed the below-ground portion will include bomb shelters and medical facilities.
• President Trump attacked federal judge Richard Leon in social media posts over ballroom ruling — President Trump posted four lengthy social media screeds attacking U.S. District Judge Richard Leon for halting above-ground construction of a proposed White House ballroom. Trump characterized the judge as "Trump Hating," accused him of "illegal overreach," and claimed the judicial order is "a mockery to our Court System." Trump asserted that the ballroom is essential to national security and that no judge can be allowed to stop the project, framing judicial review as an attack on presidential authority and national defense.
• Stay pending appeal decided — National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States v. National Park Service (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-04316 — The D.C. Circuit granted Defendants' emergency motion for a stay pending appeal of Judge Leon's April 16, 2026 order and set an expedited briefing schedule, noting: “The purpose of this administrative stay is to give the court sufficient opportunity to consider the emergency motion for a stay pending appeal and should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits of that motion.”

Supporting reports

• Ron DeSantis signs bill renaming Palm Beach airport after Donald Trump — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation on March 31, 2026, directing the renaming of Palm Beach International Airport to President Donald J Trump International Airport, effective July 1, 2026, pending Federal Aviation Administration approval. Trump's family business filed a trademark application for the name in February. The airport renaming is part of a broader pattern of naming federal and state institutions, programs, warships, currency, and buildings after Trump.

Supporting reports

• Federal Arts Commission approves commemorative gold coins bearing Trump's image despite legal prohibition — The federal arts commission, composed entirely of Trump-appointed members, approved the design of commemorative 24-carat gold coins bearing Trump's image. This action circumvents federal law that prohibits living U.S. presidents from appearing on currency. The approval was granted earlier in March 2026 as part of Trump's broader effort to place his name and likeness on American cultural and governmental institutions.
• Treasury Department removes treasurer's signature from US currency and adds Trump's signature — The U.S. Treasury Department announced it will remove the treasurer's signature from paper currency for the first time since 1861 and replace it with President Trump's signature. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the change commemorates the nation's 250th anniversary and reflects Trump's "historic achievements." The first $100 bills bearing Trump's and Bessent's signatures will be printed in June 2026, with other denominations to follow. This marks the first time a sitting president's signature will appear on legal tender.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration floated Grand Prix racetrack around Capitol and UFC stadium near White House — Trump administration officials floated the idea of building a Grand Prix racetrack around the Capitol and constructing a 100,000-seat UFC stadium near the White House. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy celebrated the racetrack idea online. These proposals represent vanity projects funded by taxpayers while Americans struggle with inflation and lack access to affordable healthcare and quality schools.

Supporting reports

• Trump announced closure of Kennedy Center for two-year renovation — After performers and acts canceled on the Kennedy Center for 2026 and beyond, Trump posted that he is shutting down the Kennedy Center's entertainment operations for approximately two years beginning July 4, 2026, to construct a new entertainment complex. Trump stated that financing is "completed, and fully in place" and that the new facility will "rival and surpass anything that has taken place with respect to such a Facility before."
• Trump announced Kennedy Center will close for two-year renovation beginning July 2026 — President Trump announced in February 2026 that the Kennedy Center will close for approximately two years beginning July 4, 2026, for major renovations. The closure announcement came after a wave of artist cancellations and declining ticket sales at the venue, which had experienced significant leadership changes that reshaped its board and programming direction.
• Trump announced two-year closure of Kennedy Center on Truth Social — Trump announced on Truth Social that the Kennedy Center will temporarily close beginning July 4 for two years to undergo "Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding." The announcement came after dozens of performers canceled appearances following Trump's takeover of the center and his decision to place his name on the building. The closure requires approval from the Kennedy Center Board, which consists of members Trump handpicked.
• Trump announced closure of Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts — President Trump announced on Sunday night that he is closing the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, claiming it requires two years of renovations. The announcement came after Trump took over the venue and placed his name on it, following reports of plummeting ticket sales and artist boycotts.

Supporting reports

• Trump proposed 250-foot "Golden Arch" monument in Washington D.C. — Trump administration proposed constructing a 250-foot "Golden Arch" in Washington D.C. to mark America's 250th anniversary. According to the Washington Post, the structure would tower over existing memorials, alter the skyline, and block views of the Lincoln Memorial. Experts warned it is wildly out of scale. The proposed arch would be the second-largest triumphal arch ever designed, surpassed only by a massive arch Adolf Hitler planned for Berlin but never built.
• Trump proposed 250-foot Arc de Triomphe in Washington DC — Trump told reporters he is considering building an arc in Washington DC similar to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, stating "We're the only major city doesn't have one" and "I'd like it to be the biggest one of all. We're the biggest, most powerful nation. I'd like it to be the biggest one."
• Trump administration pursuing vanity projects while cutting essential services — The Trump administration is pursuing grandiose aesthetic projects including renaming federal properties, adding gold fixtures to the White House, and building a 250-foot "Arc de Trump" near the Lincoln Memorial modeled after the Napoleonic arch in Paris. Republican senators Roger Wicker, Thom Tillis, and Lisa Murkowski expressed concern that these vanity projects distract from addressing the needs of struggling Americans, high prices, and healthcare funding. Senator Ron Johnson defended the projects as appropriate for a "builder."

Supporting reports

• Trump posted social media statement defending White House ballroom addition — Trump's social media account posted a 450-word statement defending the addition of a massive ballroom to the White House, which is the subject of a lawsuit by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The statement called the organization "Radical Left," claimed the addition had been approved by the highest levels of the U.S. Military and Secret Service, and asserted that stopping construction would be "devastating to the White House, our Country, and all concerned."
• Trump social media post attacking White House ballroom project critics — Trump posted on social media attacking the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a "radical left group" for suing over his proposed White House ballroom renovation. He claimed the project was a gift to the nation funded by billionaire friends, denied taxpayer involvement despite acknowledging military and Secret Service participation, and asserted that a federal judge's legal concerns were moot because Congress had not stopped the project, which he characterized as implicit permission.
• Trump posts social media statement defending White House ballroom addition — President Trump posted a lengthy statement on social media defending the addition of a ballroom to the White House, criticizing the National Trust for Historic Preservation for its lawsuit against the project. He claimed that the construction had the approval of military and Secret Service officials and warned that halting the project would be detrimental to the country.

Supporting reports

• Trump claims he has ended eight wars and deserves Nobel Peace Prize — When asked why he accepted another person's Nobel Peace Prize, Trump stated that Machado told him "you've ended eight wars and nobody deserves this prize more than—in history—than you do." Trump repeated this claim multiple times in subsequent interviews, asserting that he has ended eight wars but "didn't get the Nobel Peace Prize," despite no independent verification of this claim.
• Trump accepts Nobel Peace Prize medal from Venezuelan opposition leader Machado — Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who received the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize from the Norwegian Nobel Committee, presented the medal to President Trump at the White House on January 16, 2026. Trump accepted the medal despite the Norwegian Nobel Institute's explicit statement that Nobel Prizes "cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others." Trump claimed Machado offered it to him and praised her as "a very fine woman," framing the transfer as a personal gesture recognizing his claimed role in ending wars.

Supporting reports

• Trump auctions Jesus portrait at Mar-a-Lago New Year's Eve gala for $2.75 million — President Trump hosted a New Year's Eve gala at Mar-a-Lago where he auctioned a portrait of Jesus Christ painted live onstage by artist Vanessa Horabuena. The painting sold for $2.75 million, with proceeds split between St. Jude's Children's Hospital and the local sheriff's department. The event drew prominent guests including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and others. Trump stated his New Year's resolution was "peace on Earth."