Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump denies authorship and threatens lawsuit against Wall Street Journal — When contacted by Wall Street Journal reporters about the Epstein letter story, Trump denied writing the letter or drawing the picture and threatened to sue the newspaper. Trump later told reporters that Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden had fabricated the story, despite neither being in office during the FBI's Epstein investigation. Trump personally called the Wall Street Journal editor-in-chief to attempt to stop publication.
• Wall Street Journal published article reporting Trump sent birthday card to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003 — The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump sent a birthday card to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003, compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell from Epstein's friends. The card contained a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman with Trump's signature and a typewritten conversation between Trump and Epstein discussing shared secrets. Trump denied the report, claiming it was fake, and stated he would sue the Journal, Rupert Murdoch, and NewsCorp. The Journal stood by the story after Trump's denials.

Supporting reports

• VA Secretary Collins attacks Guardian reporting and demands retraction — VA Secretary Doug Collins appeared on Fox News, Newsmax, and Barstool Sports to denounce the Guardian's reporting on bylaw changes, calling the story "fabricated," "ridiculous," and "false and unbelievable." Both the VA and White House demanded a retraction. The Guardian amended the story with additional context but did not retract it. The VA press secretary similarly demanded a retraction from the Advocate after it reported the policy reversal on gender-affirming care, then the VA publicly announced the policy change three days later.

Supporting reports

• Wall Street Journal published article reporting Trump sent birthday card to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003 — The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump sent a birthday card to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003, compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell from Epstein's friends. The card contained a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman with Trump's signature and a typewritten conversation between Trump and Epstein discussing shared secrets. Trump denied the report, claiming it was fake, and stated he would sue the Journal, Rupert Murdoch, and NewsCorp. The Journal stood by the story after Trump's denials.

Supporting reports

• Arrest of John Caravello, CSU Channel Islands professor, on assault charges during ICE raid protest — John Caravello, a math and philosophy professor at California State University Channel Islands and immigrant rights advocate, was arrested and charged with assaulting a federal officer and throwing a teargas canister at ICE agents during the Glass House farm raid. Witnesses, including immigrant rights organizer Genevieve Flores-Haro, dispute the police account, stating they saw only ICE agents and National Guard deploying teargas, and that Caravello appeared to be assisting a demonstrator in a wheelchair. Caravello was released on a $15,000 bond and is scheduled for arraignment on August 1, 2025.

Supporting reports

• Trump posts second social media message attacking supporters over Epstein files — Trump posted another lengthy message on social media on the morning of July 17, 2025, again blaming "Radical Left Democrats" for the Epstein files story and calling it the "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax." He attacked his own supporters for demanding the administration release the files, calling them "stupid Republicans," "foolish Republicans," and "stupid people" who had been "conned by the Lunatic Left."

Supporting reports

• Afghanistan war veteran charged with felony conspiracy after ICE protest — Bajun Mavalwalla II, a former Army sergeant and Afghanistan war veteran, was arrested and charged with felony "conspiracy to impede or injure officers" in July 2025, more than a month after participating in an anti-ICE protest in Spokane, Washington. The protest, called by city council president Ben Stuckart to block the transport of two Venezuelan immigrants, turned confrontational with property damage. Mavalwalla maintains his innocence and is preparing for jury trial while others arrested the same day have struck plea agreements. Legal experts and veterans' groups have characterized the charges as an escalation in attacks on First Amendment rights.
• FBI arrest of veteran Bajun Mavalwalla II on federal conspiracy charges following ICE protest — Bajun Mavalwalla II, a 35-year-old former US Army sergeant and advocate for Afghan refugees, was arrested by the FBI on July 15, 2025, more than a month after participating in a June 11 protest against ICE in Spokane, Washington. He faces federal conspiracy charges for allegedly agreeing with others to impede or injure a federal officer, despite not being charged with obstruction or assault. He pleaded not guilty and faces up to six years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years supervised release. Veterans and civil rights groups have condemned the arrest as criminalizing peaceful dissent.
• FBI arrests US Army veteran Bajun Mavalwalla II for conspiracy charges related to ICE protest — Bajun Mavalwalla II, a 35-year-old former Army sergeant and Afghanistan war veteran, was arrested by the FBI on July 15, 2025, and charged with "conspiracy to impede or injure officers" for participating in a June 11 protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Spokane, Washington. Though he was not among those arrested at the scene and was not charged with assault or obstruction, prosecutors allege he physically blocked a driveway and pushed against officers. Legal experts characterize the conspiracy charge as an escalation in prosecuting First Amendment protest activity and note the broad prosecutorial discretion it affords.

Supporting reports

• House hearing on campus antisemitism featuring UC Berkeley, Georgetown, and CUNY leaders — The House of Representatives held its ninth antisemitism hearing since October 2023, questioning the leaders of UC Berkeley, Georgetown University, and the City University of New York about campus antisemitism, faculty hiring practices, diversity initiatives, and foreign funding. University leaders condemned antisemitism and described institutional measures taken. Democratic lawmakers criticized the hearing as "political theatre," noting the Trump administration's closure of civil rights enforcement offices and arguing the focus deflected from broader discrimination issues affecting other student groups.
• House Republicans hold hearing on campus antisemitism at UC Berkeley, CUNY, Georgetown — The House Republican-led committee held its ninth hearing on antisemitism in higher education, questioning the chancellors of UC Berkeley, CUNY, and Georgetown University. University leaders defended their institutions' responses to antisemitism allegations and emphasized their commitment to free speech protections. Republicans pressed the leaders on faculty discipline and foreign funding, while Democrats criticized the hearing as political theater and noted the dismantling of the Education Department's civil rights investigation capacity. The hearing was interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters.

Supporting reports

• 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.

Supporting reports

• House hearing on campus antisemitism featuring UC Berkeley, Georgetown, and CUNY leaders — The House of Representatives held its ninth antisemitism hearing since October 2023, questioning the leaders of UC Berkeley, Georgetown University, and the City University of New York about campus antisemitism, faculty hiring practices, diversity initiatives, and foreign funding. University leaders condemned antisemitism and described institutional measures taken. Democratic lawmakers criticized the hearing as "political theatre," noting the Trump administration's closure of civil rights enforcement offices and arguing the focus deflected from broader discrimination issues affecting other student groups.
• House Republicans hold hearing on campus antisemitism at UC Berkeley, CUNY, Georgetown — The House Republican-led committee held its ninth hearing on antisemitism in higher education, questioning the chancellors of UC Berkeley, CUNY, and Georgetown University. University leaders defended their institutions' responses to antisemitism allegations and emphasized their commitment to free speech protections. Republicans pressed the leaders on faculty discipline and foreign funding, while Democrats criticized the hearing as political theater and noted the dismantling of the Education Department's civil rights investigation capacity. The hearing was interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters.

Supporting reports

• Fox News ceased coverage of Epstein after Trump's directive — After discussing Epstein coverage extensively for days, Fox News shut down all mentions of Epstein following Trump's post demanding the base move on. Media Matters reported that as of noon ET on July 14, Fox News had zero live mentions of Epstein while maintaining 46 mentions of Biden, demonstrating coordinated suppression of coverage aligned with Trump's directive.
• Fox News and Newsmax declined to air Wall Street Journal Epstein story — Fox News host Laura Ingraham announced on air that the network would discuss a new Wall Street Journal story about Trump and Epstein but did not follow through after the commercial break. Newsmax also did not mention the story on air, indicating editorial decisions to suppress coverage of the report.

Supporting reports

• Spanish-language journalist Mario Guevara remains in ICE custody despite bond order — AP reported that Spanish-language journalist Mario Guevara is still in ICE custody despite a judge ordering his release on bond last week. Guevara, who was arrested last month while covering the "No Kings" protest, continues to face deportation proceedings.

Supporting reports

• Trump calls for supporters to stop focusing on Epstein files — On July 12, 2025, President Trump posted on Truth Social urging his supporters to stop pursuing the Epstein files, calling the matter a distraction from his administration's accomplishments. Trump wrote that supporters should "not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about" and criticized "selfish people" trying to hurt the administration over the issue. The post was notably "ratioed" on Truth Social—receiving more comments than likes—suggesting unusual disagreement from his base.
• Trump posts lengthy social media screed defending Bondi and attacking critics — At 5:21 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Saturday, July 12, Trump posted a long, incoherent message on Truth Social defending Attorney General Pam Bondi and attacking "selfish people" trying to hurt his "PERFECT administration" by focusing on Epstein. He suggested the Epstein files were created by Obama, Hillary Clinton, Comey, Brennan, and Biden administration officials, and called for focus on voter fraud and political corruption instead. The post received more comments than likes or shares, indicating disapproval from his own followers.
• Trump posts social media message dismissing Epstein files as Democratic fabrication — Trump posted a lengthy message on social media on July 12, 2025, characterizing the Epstein files as a "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax" created by "Radical Left Democrats" and other supposed enemies. He dismissed the matter as a scam and criticized his own supporters for demanding the administration release the files, calling them "weaklings" and stating he no longer wanted their support.
• Trump posted on Truth Social defending AG Pam Bondi amid MAGA base backlash over Epstein files — Trump posted a lengthy message on Truth Social defending Attorney General Pam Bondi against criticism from his MAGA base, claiming the Epstein files were created by Obama, Hillary Clinton, and other Democratic figures. The post backfired severely; after 24 hours it received over 40,000 replies, 99% negative, all from Trump supporters. The post triggered the largest rift in the MAGA movement since the author began covering it five years ago, with prominent MAGA figures, podcasters, and influencers expressing betrayal and disillusionment.
• Trump posts unhinged Truth Social rant about Epstein files closure — Trump posted a 400-word Truth Social message attacking critics of his administration's decision to close the Epstein file, calling them "selfish people" and claiming "We have a PERFECT Administration." He directed the FBI and Director Kash Patel to focus instead on "Voter Fraud, Political Corruption, ActBlue, The Rigged and Stolen Election of 2020," dismissing the Epstein matter as unimportant.
• Trump posted on Truth Social about Epstein and blamed Obama for cover-up — Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday night telling followers to move on from Epstein allegations while blaming Obama for covering up "everything." The post received over 46,000 replies, with over 90% negative responses from Trump's base. The post attempted to shift focus away from the Epstein matter while attributing responsibility to the previous administration.
• Trump dismisses Epstein question at cabinet meeting — When a reporter asked Trump about Epstein during a press opportunity at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump responded dismissively, saying "Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy's been talked about for years. Are people still talking about this guy? This creep? That is unbelievable." His attempt to downplay the story drew further attention to it.
• Trump claims Epstein files were "made up" by Comey and Obama — Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed that the Epstein files were "made up" by former FBI Director James Comey, along with former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, comparing the matter to investigations of the 2016 Trump campaign's ties to Russia. The claim contradicts the existence of documented criminal proceedings.
• Trump dismisses Epstein inquiry as "hoax" and attacks supporters demanding transparency — President Trump posted on Truth Social calling supporters who question the administration's handling of Jeffrey Epstein case details "weaklings" and accused them of falling for a "radical left hoax." He told reporters the case was "boring" but said he would release "credible" files without defining the term. The Justice Department and FBI had announced the previous week that Epstein died by suicide and no client list would be released, sparking backlash from Trump's base and calls from House Speaker Mike Johnson for full transparency.
• Trump rants about Epstein backlash on Truth Social — On Truth Social, Trump ranted about the Epstein backlash, which he calls a "Hoax," saying his "PAST supporters have bought into this 'bullshit,' hook, line, and sinker," called them "weaklings," and said he doesn't want their support anymore. The post demonstrates Trump's frustration with criticism of his handling of the Epstein matter.