Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump administration announced government equity stake in Intel and discussed nationalizing defense contractors — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the Trump administration took an ownership stake in Intel and discussed potentially taking equity positions in major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, which derives 97% of revenue from U.S. government contracts. Lutnick justified the policy as necessary for the government to benefit from taxpayer-funded research and patents. The announcement drew criticism from labor analysts and economists who noted the government received no governance rights or board seats despite taking equity.
• Commerce Secretary discusses equity stakes in defense contractors — On CNBC, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that Pentagon officials are considering whether the US should acquire equity stakes in defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, which he called "basically an arm of the US government."

Supporting reports

• Trump demands $500 million from Harvard — During a Cabinet meeting, Trump said his administration wants "nothing less than $500 million" from Harvard University in a settlement to restore its federal funding, telling Education Secretary Linda McMahon, "Don't negotiate" with the school.

Supporting reports

• Senate Democrats vote to advance the GENIUS Act — On May 19, 2025, 16 Senate Democrats voted to advance the GENIUS Act, a bill that provides a regulatory framework for stablecoins, despite previous opposition due to concerns about Trump's involvement in the stablecoin industry. The GENIUS Act, which had been blocked on May 8, 2025, requires Democratic support to pass due to the filibuster. The bill's passage could significantly benefit Trump, whose family-backed stablecoin, USD1, stands to gain from the legitimization of stablecoins. The Democrats' support came after receiving substantial financial contributions from the crypto industry.
• Financial contributions from the crypto industry to Senate Democrats — Several Senate Democrats who voted to advance the GENIUS Act received significant financial support from the crypto industry. Notable contributions include over $10 million from the Fairshake super PAC to Senator Ruben Gallego and $10 million to Senator Elissa Slotkin. Other senators, such as Adam Schiff and Kirsten Gillibrand, also received substantial donations from crypto industry figures. These financial ties raise concerns about the influence of the crypto industry on legislative decisions, particularly regarding the GENIUS Act, which could benefit Trump's crypto ventures.

Supporting reports

• SpaceX Secures $6 Billion Pentagon Contract — SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, has secured a $6 billion contract from the Pentagon, marking a significant increase in its military contracts. This contract is part of a broader trend of tech industry entrants capitalizing on increased military spending. SpaceX is also a frontrunner for the "Golden Dome" missile shield project, a $25 billion initiative proposed by Trump. The project has been criticized as economically and strategically unwise. A letter from over 40 members of Congress has requested a review of Musk's influence over the project, following Trump's firing of the nominated Inspector General.

Supporting reports

• Trump Administration's Real Estate Developments Abroad — During Trump's second term, real estate developers are planning and constructing 20 Trump-branded projects in nine foreign countries. These developments will nearly triple the number of Trump properties operating abroad. The projects involve seeking subcontractors, buyers, and permits from foreign governments, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
• Trump Organization Strikes $5.5 Billion Deal in Qatar — The Trump Organization has entered into a partnership with Qatari Diar and Dar Global to develop a $5.5 billion Trump International Golf Club in Qatar. This deal, announced on May 1, 2025, is part of a broader strategy to expand the Trump brand internationally. Eric Trump, who announced the deal alongside a Qatari government official, emphasized the collaboration's significance. The partnership raises concerns about the potential for foreign influence on U.S. policy in exchange for business opportunities.
• Jared Kushner's hotel project in Serbia halted — A $500 million Trump International Hotel project in Belgrade, Serbia, led by Jared Kushner's firm, has been halted after a government official admitted to forging a document to allow the demolition of a historic building on the site. The incident raises questions about the legality and ethics of the project's approval process and its impact on cultural heritage.

Supporting reports

• Institutional Investors Increase Holdings in Trump Media — Large institutional investors have significantly increased their holdings in Trump Media, despite the company's financial losses. Critics argue that these investments are attempts to curry favor with the Trump administration, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and corruption.

Supporting reports

• Trump Expands Elon Musk's 'Department of Government Efficiency' — On February 26, 2025, President Trump signed an order expanding the power of Elon Musk's "department of government efficiency," calling for a transformation in federal spending on contracts, grants, and loans with a centralized payment system.
• Trump Modernizes Payment System at US Treasury — On March 25, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to modernize the payment system at the US Treasury. The order calls for accepting electronic payments to reduce fraud and abuse.
• Trump Orders Review of FEMA — On January 27, 2025, President Trump ordered a review of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), suggesting political bias in the agency's disaster response. A review council will report to Trump within 180 days.