Trump Action Archive

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• New York Times sues Pentagon over press restrictions — On Thursday (December 4, 2025), the New York Times filed suit against the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alleging that the new press policy "seeks to restrict journalists' ability to do what journalists have always done – ask questions of government employees and gather information to report stories that take the public beyond official pronouncements." The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the restrictions under the First Amendment.
• Reporter ejected from courtroom during Luigi Mangione hearing — During an evidentiary hearing in the Luigi Mangione murder case on December 4, 2025, a veteran female reporter stood to request being heard on a motion to seal evidence—a routine practice protected by law and court procedure. Court officers forcibly removed her from the courtroom without allowing her to be heard. Judge Gregory Carro did not address the incident when ruling to seal materials, and only partially released evidence after journalist pushback, still without acknowledging the ejection.
• New York Times sued Pentagon over reporter access restrictions — The New York Times announced it is suing the Department of Defense, accusing DOD of engineering an unprecedented purge of traditional reporters in favor of pro-Trump digital influencers. The lawsuit names DOD, Secretary Hegseth, and Sean Parnell as defendants and asks a federal judge to strike down new access rules imposed in October. Beat reporters refused to sign the policy and instead surrendered their passes in a mass act of protest, including journalists from conservative-leaning networks like Fox and Newsmax.

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• House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed Jack Smith for private testimony — House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan subpoenaed former Special Counsel Jack Smith to testify in private, rejecting Smith's offer to testify publicly. Smith had sought public testimony to prevent selective leaking of his comments. The private format shields evidence Smith gathered regarding Trump's role in the January 6 Capitol attack and classified document retention from public disclosure.

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• White House posted video montage of ICE arrests using Sabrina Carpenter's music without permission. — The White House posted a video montage showing ICE agents making arrests while using music by Grammy-award-winning recording artist Sabrina Carpenter as the soundtrack. Carpenter responded publicly, stating "This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda." Her post received 24 million views on X within 7 hours.
• White House Spokesperson Abigail Jackson issued a hostile statement attacking recording artist Sabrina Carpenter for criticizing use of her music in ICE arrest video. — After Sabrina Carpenter publicly objected to the White House's use of her music in a video montage of ICE agents making arrests, calling it "evil and disgusting," White House Spokesperson Abigail Jackson issued a statement to Axios that attacked Carpenter personally, stating "Anyone who would defend these sick monsters must be stupid, or is it slow?" The statement refused to apologize and framed deportations as removal of "dangerous criminal illegal murderers, rapists, and pedophiles."
• White House video using Sabrina Carpenter music to mock migrants — The White House released a video that used music by pop icon Sabrina Carpenter to mock migrants. Carpenter publicly condemned the video, calling it "evil and disgusting." The incident occurred amid broader Trump administration immigration rhetoric and policy actions.
• Sabrina Carpenter forced White House to delete ICE recruitment video — Grammy-winning recording artist Sabrina Carpenter won a dispute with the White House after they used her song in an ICE recruitment video without permission. The White House deleted the video and withdrew it after Carpenter's critical response on social media reached 138 million views on X (formerly Twitter).

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• White House launches "Media Bias" portal database — The White House published a release announcing the launch of a public database at wh.gov/mediabias designed to catalog what the administration characterizes as false reporting, distortions, and hoaxes by news outlets and journalists. The portal is described as "fully sortable and routinely updated" and is coordinated with a White House Rapid Response account on X to contest media coverage in real time. The release frames the initiative as providing "unfiltered truth" to the American people.
• White House issues call to submit "media bias" tips to newly launched portal — The White House issued a release calling on Americans to submit reports of alleged media bias and false articles to a newly launched "Media Bias Portal" accessible at whitehouse.gov/biastips. The release characterizes news media as "Fake News" engaged in "baseless lies" and "left-wing lunacy," and frames citizen submissions as essential to "combat" and "hold the Fake News accountable." The portal's stated purpose is "truth and transparency."

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• Laura Loomer confirmed attendance at Pentagon press event — Far-right activist Laura Loomer confirmed on social media that she would attend the Pentagon's right-wing media briefing, stating "Very excited for New Media week at the Pentagon this week. I am really looking forward to being a member of the Pentagon Press Corp."
• Pentagon hosted right-wing media at first in-person press event since mainstream press walkout — The Department of Defense hosted right-wing media outlets at the Pentagon for its first in-person press event and briefing since the mainstream press corps walked out in October. Attendees included far-right activist Laura Loomer, Turning Point USA, the Daily Signal, and Tim Pool's Timcast. Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson and Secretary Hegseth provided a briefing and meet-and-greet.
• Pentagon issues report defending new press corps composition — On Wednesday, December 5, 2025, the Pentagon issued a statement defending its new press corps, describing a "whirlwind of activity" and reporting that more than 70 independent journalists, bloggers, and social media influencers had completed three days of onboarding. Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson stated the new media "operates differently than traditional media" and is "better equipped to inform a broader swath of the American public," framing the rightwing composition as an effort to reach more Americans.

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• FBI counterterrorism division opens investigation into six Democratic lawmakers for video on unlawful orders — On Tuesday, lawmakers said the counterterrorism division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened an investigation into six Democratic lawmakers who made a video reminding service members that they must refuse unlawful orders and that the lawmakers would stand behind them as they did so. Trump loyalists have reframed the statement, claiming that since Trump has never given an unlawful order, the video encouraged service members to disregard lawful orders and thus constitutes "sedition" punishable by death.
• FBI opens investigation into lawmakers' video — The FBI's counterterrorism division has opened an investigation into six lawmakers who released a video encouraging service members to refuse unlawful orders. This has been framed by Trump loyalists as an act of sedition, raising concerns about the implications for free speech and military conduct.

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• ICE arrests and violent enforcement actions in Chicago — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have arrested approximately 800 people as of October 1, 2025, in Chicago using violent tactics including body-slamming and deploying teargas in residential areas. Faith leaders have organized resistance through Friday gatherings at the Broadview processing facility, attempted non-violent blockades of ICE vans, and filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for preventing clergy access to detained immigrants and violating First Amendment rights. The Trump administration has also overturned previous policy to permit ICE arrests in churches.

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• Trump called female reporter "stupid person" during press gaggle — During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump called a female reporter a "stupid person" after she challenged his false claims about the vetting of the Afghan suspect in the D.C. shooting. According to S.V. Date, Trump has a pattern of attacking female reporters with gendered insults, including calling another reporter "piggy" and describing a female New York Times reporter as "ugly" while making no similar comment about her male co-author.
• Trump called female reporters dehumanizing names — President Trump called one female reporter "piggy" and labeled another "ugly on the inside and the outside" in recent interactions. These verbal attacks targeted journalists based on appearance and gender.
• Trump verbally attacked female reporter at press conference — During a press conference, President Trump responded to a female reporter's question about asylum vetting by insulting her, shouting "Are you stupid or are you dumb?" and slamming his hand on the podium. The reporter had referenced publicly available facts regarding Biden-era Afghan evacuations and Trump's own 2025 asylum grant to the D.C. shooter.

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• White House launches website publicly naming and criticizing media organizations and journalists — The White House unveiled a new website section on Friday that publicly catalogs and criticizes media organizations and journalists, labeling them "media offenders of the week" and creating an "Offender Hall of Shame" with a searchable database of articles ranked by outlet. The page names the Boston Globe, CBS News, and the Independent as current offenders, accusing them of misrepresenting Trump's remarks about Democratic lawmakers. A leaderboard ranks the Washington Post as the top offender, followed by MSNBC and CBS News. The site categorizes articles under labels such as "bias," "malpractice," and "left wing lunacy."
• White House launched "Media Bias Tracker" targeting news organizations — The White House added a "Media Bias Tracker" to its website that named the Boston Globe, CBS News, and the Independent as "media offenders of the week" and featured the Washington Post, CBS News, CNN, and MS NOW in its "Offender Hall of Shame." The page includes a database of articles with categories including "bias," "lie," and "left-wing lunacy" to describe coverage.

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• Trump attacked CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes — While speaking to reporters at Mar-a-Lago, Trump asked CBS News White House correspondent Nancy Cordes, "Are you a stupid person?" after she questioned his claim that there was "no vetting" of Afghan citizens brought to the US under Biden's "Operation Allies Welcome" program. The attack was part of Trump's pattern of hostile confrontations with women journalists.

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• Trump blamed Biden for DC shooting despite Afghan vetting under Trump administration — Trump blamed President Joe Biden for the shooting in Washington, D.C., claiming the Afghan suspect was not vetted before entering the U.S. in 2021. When challenged by a reporter with evidence that the DOJ Inspector General reported thorough vetting of Afghans brought to the U.S., Trump responded with hostility, calling the reporter "stupid" multiple times. Fox correspondent Jennifer Griffin later reported that the suspect was vetted by the NCTC and CIA before working with the agency in Afghanistan, and that his asylum was approved under the Trump administration in April 2025.
• Trump made false claims about Afghan suspect's asylum status — Trump claimed the Afghan suspect in the D.C. shooting was "flown in under the Biden admin" and stated "when it comes to asylum, when they're flown in, it's very hard to get them out." However, Fox correspondent Jennifer Griffin reported that the suspect applied for asylum during the Biden administration but his asylum was approved under the Trump administration in April 2025, and that he had been vetted by the CIA and NCTC before working with the agency in Afghanistan.
• Trump posts social media screeds blaming immigrants for National Guard shooting — Following the November 26 shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members stationed in Washington, D.C., by Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, Trump's social media account posted screeds against immigrants using the incident as justification. Lakanwal, who worked for the CIA in Afghanistan, came to the U.S. in 2021 as part of the post-withdrawal evacuation and was granted asylum earlier in 2025. Trump blamed "Joe Biden and his Thugs" for the evacuation, falsely claiming "hundreds of thousands of people poured into our Country totally unvetted and unchecked," disregarding Trump's own role in the 2020 Doha Agreement and his administration's vetting of Lakanwal.

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• Trump attacks New York Times over fatigue reporting — Trump posted on Truth Social attacking the New York Times over its reporting on his growing fatigue, fewer public appearances, and shorter workdays. Trump called the article a "hit piece" and the outlet a "RAG" that is "truly an 'ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE.'" He also attacked reporter Katie Rogers, calling her "a third rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out."
• Trump attacked CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes — While speaking to reporters at Mar-a-Lago, Trump asked CBS News White House correspondent Nancy Cordes, "Are you a stupid person?" after she questioned his claim that there was "no vetting" of Afghan citizens brought to the US under Biden's "Operation Allies Welcome" program. The attack was part of Trump's pattern of hostile confrontations with women journalists.

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• White House leaked false "peace deal" claims to media outlets regarding Ukraine negotiations — White House officials leaked stories to ABC and CBS falsely claiming Ukraine had agreed to a "peace deal," repackaging Russian-authored terms as American proposals. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated more work was needed; Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov admitted Moscow had not received final counterproposals and had not been formally briefed by the U.S. on consultation results. U.S. officials continued telling reporters only "minor issues" remained, despite actual sticking points including territorial surrender, NATO/EU membership abandonment, and military dismantling.

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• Trump calls female reporter "Piggy" on tape — Trump called female reporter Catherine Lucey "Piggy" on tape, telling her to be "Quiet, Piggy." Bill Maher referenced the incident on his show with Lara Trump, who attempted to deny or reframe the comment by suggesting Trump said "McGee" instead. Maher stated he had seen the tape "a thousand times" and confirmed the reporter's name was Lucey, not McGee. Trump has not denied making the comment despite backlash.
• Trump attacked female reporter as "ugly" in response to New York Times fatigue report — Trump responded to a New York Times article detailing his increased fatigue and declining state by attacking the female reporter, calling her "ugly both inside and out." The article noted his late starts and pared-down schedule. Trump's response exemplified a pattern of misogynistic attacks on women in media, including a recent incident where he called a female reporter "piggy" for asking about Jeffrey Epstein.

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• Pentagon launches investigation into Senator Mark Kelly — The Pentagon launched an investigation into Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) for "serious allegations of misconduct" in response to a viral video in which Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers urged military members to refuse illegal orders. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the video "despicable, reckless and false." Kelly responded that intimidation would not silence him.
• FBI Counterterrorism Division opened investigation into six lawmakers — By November 25, 2025, the FBI's Counterterrorism Division notified Congress it was opening an inquiry into the six veteran lawmakers and requested interviews with all six members. The investigation was triggered by their one-minute video reminding service members of their legal obligation to refuse illegal orders—a principle codified in U.S. military law since 1950 and rooted in post-World War II Nuremberg principles. Legal experts confirmed the lawmakers were simply restating existing law and that their statement does not constitute sedition.
• Pentagon announced investigation of Senator Kelly and signaled possible recall to active duty — The Pentagon announced it is investigating Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, and signaled it could recall him to active duty for possible court-martial over his participation in the video reminding troops of their legal obligation to refuse illegal orders. The threatened recall and court-martial of a sitting U.S. senator for restating military law represents an extraordinary use of military authority against a member of Congress.
• FBI contacts House and Senate regarding Democratic lawmakers' anti-Trump military video — The FBI contacted the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms requesting interviews with several Democratic members of Congress—Reps. Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan, plus Sen. Elissa Slotkin—after they filmed a video urging military troops not to follow illegal orders. The lawmakers characterized the FBI outreach as intimidation and harassment, with Sen. Slotkin stating that the President is "weaponizing the federal government against his perceived enemies."
• FBI counterterrorism division investigates Democratic lawmakers — The FBI's counterterrorism division launched an investigation into six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a viral video calling on military members to refuse illegal orders. Four House members stated that the FBI contacted the House and Senate sergeant at arms to set up interviews. They accused Trump of "using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress."
• Far-right figures call for investigation and deportation of Arab-Americans — In the days following the November 18 rally, far-right figures including Tommy Robinson, Wall Street Apes, and Sidney Powell used the Dearborn incident to call on the Department of Justice to investigate and deport Arab-Americans. These calls amplified the rally's narrative of victimhood and framed an entire ethnic group as a threat requiring federal action.
• FBI contacts Capitol Police to schedule interviews with six Democratic senators — Fox News reported that the FBI contacted US Capitol Police to schedule interviews with the six Democratic senators who released the video advising military personnel to refuse illegal orders. The interviews appear to be part of the broader investigation into the lawmakers' statements.
• Pentagon launches investigation into Senator Mark Kelly for video advising troops to refuse illegal orders — The Pentagon announced an investigation into Senator Mark Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers after they released a video advising military service members that they can refuse illegal orders and warning of "threats to our constitution" from within the administration. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the video "despicable, reckless, and false." Trump characterized the senators' statement as "seditious behaviour" punishable by death. The Pentagon warned it could recall Kelly to active duty for court-martial under a federal law prohibiting military retirees from interfering with military discipline.

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• Axios reporter's sourcing from Russian envoy not disclosed in reporting — Axios reporter Barak Ravid, who broke the story of the Ukraine peace plan, faced criticism after it appeared his source was Kirill Dmitriev, the sanctioned Russian envoy. The source was not disclosed in Ravid's reporting. Multiple journalists noted that if Ravid obtained the report from a Kremlin operative and published it as a US plan without confirmation from US officials, it represented a serious journalistic failure. State Department officials told journalist Jimmy Rushton that nobody had seen the document or was aware it existed until Axios reported it.

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• Rep. Jason Crow detailed Trump's threats to use military unlawfully — Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) appeared on CBS and detailed Trump's threats to use the military in unlawful ways, including sending troops into Chicago, into polling stations, killing terrorists' families, and shooting peaceful protesters. Crow stated that Trump cannot tolerate members of Congress reminding service members of their constitutional duty to obey the law and resorts to threats of violence and arrest.
• Pentagon announces investigation of Senator Mark Kelly for video calling troops to refuse illegal orders — The Pentagon announced an investigation into Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, after he participated in a video with other Democratic lawmakers calling on US troops to refuse unlawful orders. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the video was "despicable" and that Kelly's conduct undermines military discipline. The Pentagon cited federal law allowing recall of retired service members to active duty for possible court-martial. Kelly responded that the investigation was meant to intimidate Congress and vowed not to be silenced.
• Defense Department announced investigation of Senator Kelly for alleged misconduct and threatened recall to active duty — The Defense Department posted on social media that it was investigating Senator Mark Kelly following "serious allegations of misconduct" and suggested that Kelly could be recalled to active duty "for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures." This announcement came after Kelly participated in a November 18 video with five other Democratic veterans in Congress warning military and intelligence personnel of their legal right and duty to refuse unlawful orders.
• Department of War initiated review of Senator Mark Kelly for potential court-martial — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Department of War has initiated a review of retired Navy Captain Mark Kelly (D-AZ) for potential recall to active duty and court-martial proceedings. The review stems from a video Kelly made with five other Democratic lawmakers informing service members of their constitutional duty to refuse unlawful orders. The DOD statement cited 10 U.S.C. § 688 and 18 U.S.C. § 2387, which prohibits actions intended to interfere with military loyalty, morale, and discipline. Hegseth characterized the video as "despicable" and "seditious."
• Trump posted threats against Senator Mark Kelly — President Trump posted on social media that Senator Mark Kelly should be "arrested, hanged, and put to death" in response to Kelly's video encouraging service members to follow the Constitution and refuse unlawful orders. Kelly responded by reaffirming his oath to the Constitution and stating that Trump's threats would not intimidate him or other members of Congress from holding the administration accountable.
• Pete Hegseth orders Navy investigation into Mark Kelly's video comments — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memorandum to Navy Secretary John Phelan on Tuesday ordering an investigation into "potentially unlawful comments" made by Senator Mark Kelly and fellow Democrats in a social media video encouraging military personnel to refuse unlawful orders. The Pentagon had already announced an investigation on Monday. Hegseth requested a brief by December 10. The group faces FBI counter-terrorism inquiry and potential court-martial proceedings.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth directs Navy review of Senator Kelly — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared a memo directing the Navy secretary to review Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) for "potentially unlawful conduct" related to the viral video where Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers urged military members to resist illegal orders. The memo requested the Navy review be completed and briefed to Hegseth by December 10.
• Defense Secretary threatens Senator with court martial over military dissent video — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened Senator Mark Kelly with court martial after Kelly recorded a video with five Democratic lawmakers warning military members to question unlawful orders, apparently in reference to the Caribbean boat strikes. The threat represents potential retaliation against a senator for encouraging military personnel to uphold constitutional obligations.
• Secretary of Defense Hegseth threatens court martial of Senator Mark Kelly — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth threatened to court martial Senator Mark Kelly in response to Kelly's video urging military personnel to follow the law and refuse illegal orders. Hegseth called the video "sedition" and made deranged social media posts attacking Kelly's uniform and medals, later claiming Kelly's image was reversed by his phone. Kelly responded that the threat was about intimidation and the media cycle, not law, and refused to be silenced.
• Trump threatened to court-martial Senator Mark Kelly over military discipline video — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth threatened to court-martial Senator Mark Kelly after Kelly released a video with five other Democratic lawmakers urging military members not to follow illegal orders. The video was released in response to the alleged illegal directives issued by Hegseth regarding lethal operations.

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• House Democrats release Epstein emails implicating Trump; rightwing media suppresses coverage — House Democrats released emails in which Jeffrey Epstein claimed Donald Trump "knew about the girls," allegedly showing Trump spent hours at Epstein's home with a victim. Fox News and other conservative networks largely ignored the story. When Republicans prepared to vote for full Epstein file release despite Trump's opposition, rightwing media maintained silence. Only after Trump reversed course and called for release did Fox News cover it, reframing his capitulation as a strategic masterstroke rather than a humiliating U-turn forced by party defection.

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• White House discussed firing CNN hosts with Paramount shareholder — The Guardian reported that a White House official has had discussions with Larry Ellison, the largest shareholder of Paramount, about possibly firing CNN hosts Trump hates, including Erin Burnett and Brianna Keilar, if Paramount ends up acquiring Warner Bros Discovery.

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• Afghanistan veteran Sean Charles Dunn acquitted of assault for throwing sandwich at CBP agent — Sean Charles Dunn, an Afghanistan war veteran, was acquitted by a jury in Washington DC after being charged with assault for throwing a sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection agent during the National Guard's deployment to the capital on 10 August. Dunn had shouted at officers calling them "fascists" and stating "I don't want you in my city." Video of the incident went viral. The acquittal underscores that dissent and protest are not criminal acts.

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• DOJ dismisses felony assault charges against veteran protester Dana Briggs — The US Department of Justice moved to dismiss all felony assault charges against Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran arrested during an anti-ICE protest at a Broadview, Illinois facility. Briggs had been charged with assaulting a federal officer after video evidence showed masked agents advancing on and knocking over the elderly protester. US Magistrate Judge Gabriel A Fuentes agreed to dismiss the case after reviewing body-worn camera footage. Briggs is now considering a civil lawsuit over his arrest and injuries, including cuts, bruises, and zip-tie marks sustained during the incident.

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• Trump posted demand for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired — Trump posted on social media at 12:49 AM that late-night host Jimmy Kimmel should be fired, 11 minutes after Kimmel's show ended on the East Coast. Kimmel responded on air, noting this was not the first time Trump had made such a demand and stating he would leave office when Trump does.

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• JD Vance recommended far-right conspiracy theorist for Washington Post — Vice President JD Vance stated at a Breitbart conference that he had texted Jeff Bezos, owner of the Washington Post, recommending that Bezos hire Matt Boyle to run the Post's entire political reporting shop. Boyle is described as a "nutty far-right conspiracy theorist" who currently runs Breitbart.

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• White House officials discussed CNN host removals with Larry Ellison in Warner Bros Discovery acquisition context — Senior White House officials internally discussed preference for Paramount Skydance to acquire Warner Bros Discovery. Larry Ellison, Paramount's largest shareholder, engaged in at least one phone call with a White House official discussing potential removal of CNN hosts including Erin Burnett and Brianna Keilar, whom Trump reportedly dislikes. The conversation also covered replacing hosts and programming changes such as running CBS's 60 Minutes on CNN. These discussions occurred as Paramount positioned itself as the preferred bidder ahead of a November 20 deadline for non-binding bids.
• White House officials discussed media acquisitions with Larry Ellison — Senior White House officials discussed internally their preference for Paramount Skydance to acquire Warner Bros Discovery. One official discussed potential programming changes at CNN with Larry Ellison, the largest shareholder of Paramount, including the possibility of removing CNN hosts whom Trump dislikes, such as Erin Burnett and Brianna Keilar.

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• Trump threatens to revoke ABC News license during bilateral meeting with Saudi crown prince — During a bilateral meeting with Mohammed bin Salman on 18 November 2025, President Trump told reporters that ABC News's license should be revoked because its coverage is "fake" and "97% negative to Trump." Trump stated the FCC chairman should examine the matter. This continues a pattern: Trump has made at least 28 license-revocation threats against major networks over eight years, despite the FCC lacking authority to revoke national network licenses—it can only license local stations.
• Trump attacked female reporters during press conference — During a press conference, President Trump verbally attacked two female reporters—Catherine Lucey of Bloomberg and Mary Bruce of ABC News—who asked questions about his connection to Jeffrey Epstein and the appropriateness of his family conducting business with Saudi Arabia. Trump called Bruce a "terrible person and terrible reporter," suggested the FCC should revoke ABC's license, and told Lucey to be "Quiet! Quiet, piggy!" in response to her follow-up question.
• Trump lashed out at ABC reporter and called for FCC action against network — Asked by ABC News reporter Mary Bruce about why the House needs to vote on releasing the Epstein files when he could order the release himself, Trump lashed out and called on Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr to "take a look at" revoking the network's broadcast license. The threat represents an attempt to use regulatory power to punish a journalist for asking a critical question.
• Trump threatens ABC News broadcasting license over Khashoggi question — During the White House meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Trump castigated an ABC News journalist for asking a question about the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Trump suggested that ABC should lose its broadcasting license in response to the question, using the moment to attack the press outlet rather than address the substance of the inquiry.
• White House issues statement attacking ABC News as "fake news" and "Democrat spin operation" — The White House published a statement on its official website characterizing ABC News as a "Democrat spin operation masquerading as a broadcast network" rather than journalism. The statement lists allegations of past ABC reporting errors, editorial choices, and coverage decisions spanning 2017–2025, including a 2024 settlement with George Stephanopoulos over defamation claims, and asserts that ABC's coverage of Trump administration actions has been systematically negative and misleading.