Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Jared Kushner raises $5 billion from Middle Eastern investors while serving as chief negotiator for U.S. in Middle East — While acting as chief negotiator for the United States in the Middle East, Jared Kushner has been attempting to raise $5 billion from investors in the region for his investment firm. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, overseen by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has already invested $2 billion with Kushner.

Supporting reports

• Trump raises more than $2 billion for vanity projects and causes through donations from wealthy individuals — Trump has raised more than $2 billion for his projects and causes, including a ballroom where the East Wing used to be and a proposed presidential library in Miami. More than half a billion came from 346 people who each gave at least $250,000. Some donors have received presidential pardons, others have been given jobs, and all have received access to the president.

Supporting reports

• Interior Secretary announced renovation of public golf course with Trump-tied contractor — Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced plans to renovate East Potomac Golf Links, a public golf course, into a championship facility. The contract was awarded to Fazio Design, a firm with longstanding ties to Trump. The accompanying map contains cartographic errors, including an incorrectly positioned Washington Monument.

Supporting reports

• Trump made over 3,700 stock trades in first quarter of 2026, totaling tens of millions of dollars — Financial filings revealed that Trump or his investment advisors made more than 3,700 trades in the first quarter of 2026—over 40 per day—totaling tens of millions of dollars in major companies with business dealings with his administration. Unlike his predecessors, Trump did not place assets in a blind trust with an independent manager. Instead, his sons Don Jr. and Eric manage the business in areas directly related to government policies Trump decides. Investments included Nvidia, Intel, Netflix, Paramount Skydance, Warner Bros Discovery, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon. Wall Street executives expressed concern about conflicts of interest.

Supporting reports

• Vice President Vance announces withholding of $1.3 billion in Medicaid payments from California — Vice President J.D. Vance announced that the Trump administration intends to withhold $1.3 billion in Medicaid payments from California, citing alleged fraud in state Medicaid programs and claiming the state is not cooperating with federal anti-fraud efforts. The announcement was made during a visit to Maine where Vance promoted the administration's stated anti-fraud agenda in public services.

Supporting reports

• Trump negotiates $1.7 billion fund to compensate allies for alleged DOJ weaponization — Trump is in talks to drop his $10 billion IRS lawsuit in exchange for the government establishing a $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded account to compensate Trump's allies who claim they were harmed by the Biden administration's alleged weaponization of the Department of Justice. Eligible recipients would include nearly 1,600 people convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, whom Trump pardoned or commuted shortly after taking office in January 2025. While Trump himself will likely be barred from direct payments, entities associated with him will not be.
• Trump DOJ creates $1.7 billion compensation fund for January 6 defendants and Trump allies — The Trump administration is expected to settle Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS by creating a $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded compensation fund to pay individuals and entities claiming wrongful targeting by the Biden administration. The fund would compensate approximately 1,600 January 6 Capitol attack defendants and potentially Trump-associated entities. Trump would retain authority to remove commission members without cause, and the commission would operate with minimal disclosure requirements or oversight of its decision-making process for distributing over $1 billion in public funds.
• Trump administration considers $1.7 billion compensation fund for allies investigated under Biden — The Trump administration is reportedly considering a $1.7 billion fund to compensate President Trump's allies and others who claim they were harmed by Justice Department investigations during the Biden administration. The fund could cover legal costs for people in Trump's orbit and potentially extend to some of the nearly 1,600 people charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack. The administration has discussed modeling the program on past federal settlement funds, with possible payments through the Treasury Department's Judgment Fund. The proposal has not been finalized or approved.
• White House and DOJ explore settlement of Trump's $10 billion IRS lawsuit — The New York Times reported that the White House and Justice Department are exploring a settlement in Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS for releasing his tax returns. ABC News reported that Trump is expected to settle in exchange for launching a $1.7 billion compensation fund for his allies, including those pardoned for Jan. 6 involvement, with a Trump-controlled commission overseeing distribution and recipient identities potentially kept private. The settlement would use taxpayer funds to reward political allies.

Supporting reports

• Trump announced intention to suspend federal gas tax — Trump told CBS News that he intends to suspend the federal gas tax "for a period of time" and phase it back in "when gas goes down." Suspending the excise taxes—18.4 cents per gallon on gas and 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel—requires an act of Congress. Congress has shown little interest in suspending the tax. Gas prices have soared over 50 percent since the start of the Iran war on February 28, hitting a high of over $4.52 on Sunday.
• Trump pledges to suspend federal gas tax pending congressional action — President Trump announced on Monday that his administration would suspend the federal gas tax (18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline, 24.4 cents for diesel) to relieve pressure on Americans facing fuel prices that have risen over a dollar per gallon since late February following the US-Israel war on Iran. Trump stated the tax would be paused "till it's appropriate" and phased back in when gas prices decline. Suspension requires congressional action; Republican lawmakers including Senator Josh Hawley and Representative Anna Paulina Luna immediately pledged to introduce legislation to implement the suspension.
• Trump Floats Pausing Federal Gas Tax — President Trump has suggested the possibility of pausing the federal gas tax. This proposal comes amid rising gas prices, indicating potential further increases in fuel costs. The move is seen as an attempt to alleviate the financial burden on consumers as economic conditions worsen. The proposal has sparked discussions on its potential impact on federal revenue and infrastructure funding.
• Trump announced plans to suspend federal gas tax — On May 11, 2026, Nancy Cordes of CBS News reported that President Trump is planning to suspend the federal gas tax to bring down the cost of gasoline, which has jumped more than 50% since the Iran war began and now averages more than $4.50 per gallon. However, suspending the gas tax would require congressional approval and would cost the federal government approximately half a billion dollars per week in revenue at a time when the national debt is skyrocketing and on track to exceed $40 trillion before the midterm elections.

Supporting reports

• Trump uses UFC event on White House lawn as fundraising vehicle through sponsorship packages — Trump is using a planned Ultimate Fighting Championship event to be held on his birthday on the White House lawn as a mechanism for donors to funnel money to him. Although the UFC is paying for the event and expects to lose up to $30 million, and tickets are technically free, Trump controls ticket distribution. Sponsorship packages including ringside seats have sold for $1 million or more, with neither the White House nor UFC disclosing where the money goes.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon estimated Iran war cost at $25–50 billion — The White House is expected to request a supplemental spending package to cover the cost of the war with Iran. A Pentagon official stated at congressional hearings that the war's cost was approximately $25 billion, but U.S. officials familiar with internal assessments suggested the actual price tag could be closer to $50 billion.
• Pentagon comptroller testified that Iran war costs have reached $29 billion — Pentagon comptroller Jay Hurst testified before the Senate that the cost of the war in Iran has reached $29 billion, citing updated repair and replacement of equipment costs and general operational costs to keep personnel in theater. This testimony was part of a broader hearing on a request for a massive increase in the military budget to $1.5 trillion.
• Pete Hegseth testifies on Iran military operation costs before House Appropriations Committee — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testified before the House Appropriations Committee regarding costs of the U.S. military operation in Iran. The stated cost increased from $25 billion to $29 billion within ten minutes during testimony, raising questions about accuracy and transparency of budget figures.
• Pentagon uses outdated munitions costs in war accounting, understating replacement expenses — The Pentagon's accounting system registers the cost of expended munitions based on their original unit cost rather than the cost of their more expensive replacements. For example, SM-2 interceptors fired in the Iran War are recorded at their 2010 unit cost of $1.2 million, though they will be replaced by SM-6 interceptors budgeted at $6.3 million in 2027. This accounting method means firing 50 SM-2s is recorded as $60 million in Pentagon ledgers but costs U.S. taxpayers $315 million in actual replacement costs. Munitions spending accounts for $24 billion of the Pentagon's $29 billion estimate, making this accounting flaw material to the overall cost calculation.
• Pentagon cost estimate excludes documented military damage from Iran airstrikes — Acting Undersecretary Jules Hurst acknowledged under questioning that the Pentagon's $29 billion Iran War cost estimate excluded damage to U.S. military sites caused by Iranian airstrikes. According to the Washington Post, Iranian strikes have damaged or destroyed at least 228 structures or pieces of equipment at U.S. military sites across the Middle East. Independent analysis estimates the cost of damaged or destroyed military assets at $11.9 billion. Hurst stated the Pentagon had "a lot of unknowns" regarding future military posture and base reconstruction costs.
• Pentagon official uncertain whether arms transfers to Israel included in war cost estimate — Acting Undersecretary Jules Hurst testified that he would need to "double check" whether arms transfers to other countries were included in the Pentagon's $29 billion Iran War cost estimate. According to independent analysis, arms transfers to Israel—which is waging the war in concert with the U.S.—cost approximately $2.9 billion in the first 60 days of the conflict. The uncertainty about what is and is not included in the official estimate further undermines its credibility and completeness.
• Pentagon officials testify to Congress with undocumented $29 billion Iran War cost estimate — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Acting Undersecretary Jules Hurst testified before House and Senate committees on the cost of the Iran War, presenting a $29 billion estimate without documentation, methodology, or explanation. The estimate excluded damage to U.S. military bases (at least $11.9 billion according to independent analysis) and potentially excluded arms transfers to Israel. Independent analysts estimate the actual cost at $50–72 billion for the first 60 days. Hurst declined to commit to providing formal accounting to Congress, stating he would share information "when it's relevant and required."
• Pentagon comptroller reports Iran War cost at $29 billion; Popular Information estimates $72 billion — Acting Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst told legislators that the Iran War has cost an estimated $29 billion so far. However, other estimates, including one by Popular Information, have found the actual cost to be significantly higher—approximately $72 billion in the first 60 days alone. Despite the discrepancy, many major media outlets repeated the Pentagon's $29 billion estimate without scrutiny, amplifying what may be a substantially understated figure.

Supporting reports

• FDA rejects melanoma treatment from Replimune amid political pressure — The FDA rejected a melanoma treatment from drugmaker Replimune, a decision that has created "political headaches" for the White House according to Wall Street Journal reporting. Commissioner Makary defended the rejection as based on FDA scientists' assessment, stating he works for the American people, not industry. The decision has drawn criticism from Republican lawmakers and industry advocates.

Supporting reports

• Boeing and Toyota fund Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's reality television show — Boeing and Toyota each donated $1 million to fund a reality television show called "The Great American Road Trip" starring Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and his family traveling across the United States. The show was produced by a nonprofit backed by major companies overseen by Duffy's agency. The companies being regulated by Duffy's department funded content featuring the secretary in a promotional capacity.
• Transportation Secretary Duffy's reality show raised ethics concerns — CNN reported that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy filmed a five-part reality show titled "The Great American Road Trip" with his family over seven months. The show's sponsors include Boeing, Shell, Toyota, United Airlines, and Royal Caribbean—all companies that intersect with the Department of Transportation. Duffy claimed costs were paid by a nonprofit and his family received no salary or royalties. Donald Sherman of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington criticized the arrangement as ethically problematic given high gas prices and airline safety concerns.
• Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy took extended leave to film television series while in office — Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy took a seven-month road trip to film a television series called "The Great American Road Trip" while serving as secretary. He appeared on Fox & Friends on the day the national average gas price reached $4.54 per gallon, stating that "it fits any budget to do a road trip," creating a disconnect between his public messaging and his absence from his official duties.

Supporting reports

• JD Vance threatens to withhold federal Medicaid and Medicare funding from states refusing anti-fraud compliance — Vice President JD Vance announced that the Trump administration will threaten to "turn off" federal Medicaid and Medicare funding to states that do not comply with the administration's fraud investigation efforts. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services simultaneously halted new enrollments for hospices and home health agencies for six months pending fraud investigation. The HHS Inspector General sent letters to all 50 state attorneys general warning that non-compliance with fraud audits of Medicaid Fraud Control Units puts "all of your state's Medicaid funds in jeopardy," despite legal experts noting the HHS lacks statutory authority to withhold all state Medicaid funds.

Supporting reports

• EPA extends postponement of TCE regulatory provisions pending judicial review — The Environmental Protection Agency issued a notice extending the postponement of effectiveness for conditions imposed on trichloroethylene (TCE) uses granted TSCA section 6(g) exemptions under a final rule issued December 17, 2024. The postponement, originally set to expire May 18, 2026, is now extended indefinitely until conclusion of judicial review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. This marks the sixth extension since the rule's initial January 2025 effective date, following multiple industry petitions for stay and ongoing litigation.

Supporting reports

• White House issues release celebrating small business policies during National Small Business Week — The White House issued a release on May 4, 2026, marking National Small Business Week and highlighting what it characterizes as a "revival" of small business under the Trump Administration. The release states the administration has signed tax relief legislation, launched a deregulation strike force claiming to eliminate $110 billion in regulatory costs, delivered record SBA lending ($45 billion in 7(a) and 504 loans to 85,000+ businesses), created a manufacturing loan program, suspended BOI reporting enforcement, implemented citizenship verification for SBA loan applicants, relocated SBA offices out of sanctuary cities, and terminated the "Joint Employer Rule." The release attributes increased hiring, investment, and small business optimism to these actions.

Supporting reports

• OMB proposes $1 trillion federal grant-making overhaul placing funds under political appointee control — Trump's Office of Management and Budget proposed a 400+ page overhaul of the federal grant-making process in May 2026, designed to place nearly $1 trillion in grants under control of political appointees by October. The proposal would institutionalize prior ad-hoc cancellations of research grants deemed "woke," ban diversity and inclusion programs, discourage international scientific collaboration, require alignment with presidential "priorities," and allow the government to cancel awards no longer in its "interest." The public comment period closed after only 45 days, with nearly 500,000 comments submitted, approximately 95% in opposition. Twenty-two state attorneys general have signaled intent to challenge the rule.

Supporting reports

• Trump signed Executive Order 14402 directing federal agencies to default to fixed-price contracts over cost-reimbursement contracting — President Trump signed Executive Order 14402 on April 30, 2026, directing executive branch agencies to adopt fixed-price contracts as the default procurement method, replacing cost-reimbursement models. The order states that approximately $120 billion was obligated to cost-reimbursement consulting contracts in Fiscal Year 2024. Agencies must justify any non-fixed-price contracts in writing to the agency head; contracts exceeding specified thresholds ($100 million for Defense, $35 million for NASA, $25 million for DHS, $10 million for others) require agency head approval. Within 90 days, agencies must review and seek to restructure their 10 largest non-fixed-price contracts. OMB must issue implementation guidance within 45 days; the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council must propose FAR amendments within 120 days.
• White House issues fact sheet on federal contracting executive order — The White House published a fact sheet on April 30, 2026, promoting an executive order signed by President Trump directing federal agencies to maximize use of fixed-price and performance-based contracts. The order requires agencies to review and restructure their largest non-fixed-price contracts, submit semi-annual reports to OMB on non-fixed-price contract use, and obtain agency head approval for cost-reimbursement contracts except in emergencies and R&D contexts. The fact sheet states the order aims to reduce cost-reimbursement contracting, which the document claims accounted for approximately $120 billion in Fiscal Year 2024.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14402 shifting federal contracting from cost-reimbursement to fixed-price performance-based contracts, requiring agency head approval for non-fixed-price contracts above specified thresholds and mandating review of ten largest non-fixed-price contracts within 90 days. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14402 on April 30, 2026, establishing a policy that fixed-price contracts with performance-based incentives shall be the default method for federal procurement. The order requires written justification from contracting officers for any non-fixed-price contract and agency head approval for contracts exceeding thresholds ranging from $10 million to $100 million depending on agency. Within 90 days, agency heads must review and seek to restructure their ten largest non-fixed-price contracts. OMB shall issue implementation guidance within 45 days, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation shall be amended within 120 days. The order cites approximately $120 billion in cost-reimbursement consulting contracts in Fiscal Year 2024 as justification for the shift toward performance-based accountability.
• Trump issues executive order mandating fixed-price federal contracts over cost-reimbursement model — President Trump signed an executive order on April 30, 2026, directing federal agencies to default to fixed-price contracts rather than cost-reimbursement contracts in procurement. The order requires agencies to justify any non-fixed-price contracts in writing to agency heads, with approval thresholds ranging from $10 million to $100 million depending on the agency. Within 90 days, agencies must review and attempt to restructure their 10 largest non-fixed-price contracts. The order aims to reduce federal spending identified at approximately $120 billion in cost-reimbursement consulting contracts in Fiscal Year 2024.

Supporting reports

• Reynolds American donates $5 million to Trump Super PAC before FDA reversal on flavored vapes — Reynolds American, through its RAI Services subsidiary, donated $5 million to MAGA Inc. on April 30, 2026. Two days later, Trump met with Reynolds executives and Reynolds lobbyist Brian Ballard at Trump's golf club in Jupiter, Florida. At the meeting, executives complained about the prohibition on fruit-flavored vapes, banned due to their appeal to children. Trump interrupted the meeting to call FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. Within a week, the FDA produced new guidance facilitating Reynolds and other companies to resume selling fruit-flavored vapes. Makary reportedly resigned in protest.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration blocks two permitted US wind energy projects and pays companies to reinvest in oil and gas — The Trump administration's Department of the Interior canceled two permitted offshore wind energy projects this week, offering millions in refunds to the companies if reinvested in oil and gas or liquefied natural gas. Global Infrastructure Partners (BlackRock subsidiary) will receive up to $765m for a liquefied natural gas facility; Golden State Wind can recover up to $120m in lease fees if invested in oil and gas assets on the Gulf Coast. Both companies agreed not to pursue new offshore wind projects in the US. The administration framed the action as promoting energy security and affordability.

Supporting reports

• Energy CEOs received substantial pay raises amid customer hardship and service failures — A review by the Energy and Policy Institute found that CEOs at 38 of 51 top US utilities received pay raises averaging 16% to $12.3m in 2025, collectively totaling $82m. This occurred while utility bills rose as much as 40% in some regions since 2021, utilities disconnected customers 13m times in 2025, and many executives received raises despite failing performance standards. Notable increases included Bill Ferhman (AEP) at $23m (176%), Tim Cawley (ConEd) at $4.9m (33%), and Chris Womack (Southern Company) at $4.3m (18%).

Supporting reports

• Became Law: Congressional Disapproval of BLM Withdrawal Rule for Minnesota Federal Lands — Congress enacted H.J. Res. 140, disapproving the Bureau of Land Management's rule withdrawing federal lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, Minnesota under the Congressional Review Act. The measure became Public Law 119-85, reversing the BLM's withdrawal order and restoring those lands to potential development or resource extraction.

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

• EPA dismantles environmental protections and regulatory enforcement — EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has pursued a deregulatory agenda including rolling back drinking water standards for PFAS ("forever chemicals"), weakening protections against air pollutants such as mercury and arsenic, greenlighting pesticides with known health risks, proposing safe exposure levels for the carcinogen formaldehyde, declining to regulate endocrine-disrupting chemicals in consumer products, and canceling millions of dollars in research grants on chemical and pollutant health effects. The agency has also invited companies to email for exemptions from air pollution standards. One major beneficiary is Bayer, which received an executive order exemption from lawsuits for endangering public health after making large campaign contributions to Trump.
• Trump administration declares glyphosate production a national security issue via executive order — The Trump administration issued an executive order declaring protection of glyphosate production a national security issue. This action was cited by protesters and lawmakers as evidence of executive support for Monsanto/Bayer and against consumer protection. The order was announced in the context of the Supreme Court hearing on glyphosate liability.

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

• Trump threatens tariffs on UK over digital services tax — President Trump threatened to impose "a big tariff" on the UK if it does not drop its 2% digital services tax on US technology companies. Speaking from the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said the tax unfairly targets American tech giants and that the US would "reciprocate by putting something on that's equal or greater than what they're doing." The UK government responded Friday that it does not intend to scrap the tax, calling it "hugely important" to ensure large businesses pay their fair share.

Supporting reports

• Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation donated $2 million to Trump Super PAC amid Interior Department influence effort — The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, a California tribe, made a $2 million donation to MAGA Inc., Trump's Super PAC, in March 2026. According to internal Trump administration documents obtained by Popular Information, the donation appears designed to influence the Interior Department's regulatory decisions affecting the tribe's casino business. The donation represents a potential quid pro quo arrangement linking tribal financial support to federal policy outcomes.