Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett dismissed consumer spending concerns — White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett stated on Fox News that despite higher gas prices, consumers remain optimistic because they are spending more money on everything, not just gas. When asked about grocery prices, Hassett blamed energy-efficient refrigerator regulations. He reiterated expectations of GDP growth exceeding 6% once the Iran conflict concludes, a forecast he has repeated monthly for 17 months.
• Kevin Hassett claims Iran war has not hurt the economy — White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett appeared on television claiming that Trump's Iran war has not hurt the economy at all. When presented with consumer sentiment data that has cratered to its lowest levels ever, Hassett suggested that consumer sentiment should no longer be called "consumer sentiment" but rather "political sentiment," characterizing it as a "political variable" rather than an economic indicator. He argued that when Americans report feeling terrible about the economy, they are expressing partisanship rather than genuine economic concern.

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• Pentagon uses outdated munitions costs in war accounting, understating replacement expenses — The Pentagon's accounting system registers the cost of expended munitions based on their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

• Gasoline prices rose 14 percent amid Iran conflict — As a result of the Iran military operations, approximately 20 percent of the world's oil supply ceased transit through the Strait of Hormuz, causing oil prices to surge. Gasoline prices rose 14 percent in a single week, with further increases anticipated in jet fuel and diesel affecting transportation and agricultural sectors. The economic impact contradicted the administration's earlier justification for cutting domestic social programs due to fiscal constraints.
• California gas prices exceed $5 per gallon amid Iran conflict — California's average gas price reached $5.20 per gallon on 9 March 2026, a $0.55 increase since the Iran conflict began over a week prior, compared to the national average of $3.47. The price spike reflects broader oil market disruption caused by damaged Middle Eastern facilities and closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Governor Newsom's office attributed the increase directly to Trump's military actions, while the Trump administration characterized the price surge as a temporary disruption justified by removing Iran from power.
• Oil prices spiked to highest level since 2022 due to Iran war — The price of oil spiked overnight to its highest level since global trade surged in 2022 after COVID-19 lockdowns, briefly exceeding $100 per barrel. News that the Group of Seven advanced economies was willing to consider releasing strategic oil reserves brought prices down from their highs. A dropping stock market reflected the spike in oil prices, though drops moderated after news about possible strategic reserve releases and Trump's claim that the war was ending. The market ended higher than it began.
• Strait of Hormuz closure triggers severe global energy crisis — The stoppage of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has triggered what Wall Street Journal reporters describe as "the most severe energy crisis since the 1970s" and is threatening the global economy. The strait carries not only oil but also fertilizer used for crops worldwide. Trump's March 3 offer of government insurance for shipping and possible Navy escorts has been insufficient to restore voyages.
• Oil prices surge amid Middle East conflict — West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 12% to $102.28 per barrel, surpassing $100 for the first time since mid-2022, while Brent crude traded 12% higher at $104.76 per barrel. The surge followed production cuts by Middle East countries amid ongoing regional conflict. Trump dismissed the price spike as a "very small price to pay" for eliminating the "Iran nuclear threat," while analysts noted the administration's war strategy has consumed U.S. munition stockpiles and forced redeployment of air defense systems from South Korea to the Gulf.
• US-Israel war on Iran disrupts oil supply, driving gas prices up across Michigan and the US — A US-Israel military conflict with Iran has crippled major portions of the global oil supply chain, sending gas prices surging. In Michigan, prices spiked 60 cents per gallon in one week, topping $4.30 near downtown Detroit. The average US price rose 27 cents. President Trump dismissed concerns as temporary, stating prices will "drop very rapidly when this is over." Detroit-area drivers expressed frustration over elevated fuel costs tied to the conflict, though reactions to the war itself were mixed.

Supporting reports

• Trump fires BLS director; inflation data quality declines — Trump fired the Bureau of Labor Statistics director after the agency reported inflation numbers the president disliked. Subsequently, the quality of CPI inflation data has declined significantly. In September, 40% of CPI items were estimated, up from 36% in August and a historical average of 10%. When price data is unavailable, the BLS fills gaps with estimated values from other categories or regions. The percentage of estimated data has quadrupled over seven months, making CPI numbers less accurate and less reflective of real consumer costs.
• Trump’s Economic Advisor Admits Data Reliability Issues — Trump’s top economic advisor publicly stated that the administration may never produce reliable inflation or employment data again due to the hollowing out of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This admission highlights the administration's failure to conduct critical surveys and suggests an attempt to fabricate economic data.

Supporting reports

• USDA removes contingency funding plan from website and denies legal authority to use emergency reserves for SNAP — The USDA removed its late-September contingency funding plan from its website while simultaneously issuing a memo claiming emergency reserve funds are "not legally available" to cover SNAP benefits during the shutdown. The removed plan had previously stated Congress's "evident" intent was for SNAP operations to continue during closures and identified "multi-year contingency funds" available for that purpose. The agency's current position contradicts its own earlier legal analysis and denies access to approximately $6 billion in reserves despite having authority to use them.
• USDA removes guidance authorizing contingency funds for SNAP benefits — The USDA issued guidance on September 30, 2025, explicitly stating that multi-year contingency funds could be used to fund SNAP participant benefits during a lapse in appropriations. The guidance cited Congressional intent and the plain language of appropriations bills (2024 and 2025) reserving funds "to carry out program operations." The Trump administration has since removed this guidance from the USDA website, now asserting that the $6 billion contingency reserve "are not legally available to cover regular benefits" and can only be used for disaster response. The removal occurred after the administration determined that withholding funds was "politically advantageous."

Supporting reports

• Trump claimed jobs report was rigged and promised to replace Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner — President Trump posted on Truth Social that the jobs report released the previous week was "RIGGED" and that prior employment numbers were fabricated by "Radical Left Democrats" to make Republican success "look less stellar." Trump promised to appoint a replacement for the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner. Trump's claims contradicted his own economic advisors' later acknowledgment that revisions were normal and reflected more complete data.

Supporting reports

• Trump announces $1 trillion military budget for fiscal year 2026 — On April 7, President Trump announced plans to propose a $1 trillion military budget for fiscal year 2026, representing a $107 billion increase from current spending. Trump stated during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the increase was necessary to strengthen U.S. military capacity. This reverses Trump's February position that military spending of nearly $1 trillion was excessive and should be reduced through arms-control negotiations with China and Russia. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth endorsed the proposal.
• White House warned Trump would veto tariff approval bill — The White House warned that Trump would veto a bill that would require approval from Congress to impose new tariffs.
• CNBC reported false rumor of Trump tariff pause, causing market volatility — CNBC reported a false rumor that Trump would announce a 90-day pause on tariffs after Fox host Brian Kilmeade asked White House Economic Advisor Kevin Hassett if Trump would consider such a pause. The rumor caused stock markets to rally sharply mid-morning. When the White House denied the report as "fake news," markets declined again. The false report originated from Hassett's non-committal response that "the president is gonna decide what the president is gonna decide."
• White House denied tariff pause report as fake news — The White House social media account responded to the CNBC report of a tariff pause by stating "Wrong. Fake News. Not only did Director Hassett not say this, POTUS has been clear - 'it all has to change, but especially with CHINA!!!'" The denial clarified that Trump has not agreed to any tariff pause.
• Peter Navarro stated tariffs are not a negotiation but a national emergency response — White House trade advisor Peter Navarro told Fox News that the tariffs represent "a national emergency based on a trade deficit that's gotten out of control because of cheating," explicitly rejecting the characterization of tariffs as a negotiating tactic. This statement contradicted other administration messaging suggesting tariffs were leverage for trade negotiations.
• Trump posted on Truth Social that his policies will never change — President Trump posted on Truth Social stating "MY POLICIES WILL NEVER CHANGE," signaling that tariff policy would not be reversed despite market turmoil and economic concerns. This statement contradicted earlier messaging that tariffs were negotiating tactics.
• White House issued fact sheet stating tariffs remain in effect until trade deficit threat is resolved — The White House released a fact sheet claiming that tariffs would remain in effect "until such a time as President Trump determines that the threat posed by the trade deficit and underlying nonreciprocal treatment is satisfied, resolved, or mitigated." This statement indicated tariffs were not temporary negotiating tools but permanent policy subject only to Trump's subjective determination.
• Trump announces 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs — Hours after reciprocal tariffs took effect on April 9, 2025, Trump announced a 90-day pause on them, with the exception of China, where he increased tariffs to 125%. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized the move as part of Trump's negotiating strategy, referencing "The Art of the Deal." The pause came after stock markets had fallen sharply and amid widespread economic warnings.
• Trump announces 90-day tariff pause with modified rates, triggering market volatility and insider-trading allegations — On Wednesday, April 9, Trump announced a 90-day pause on his tariff plan, replacing his original broad tariffs with a 10% blanket rate on most countries through July, while raising China tariffs to 145% effective immediately. The announcement triggered a historic market rally Wednesday afternoon, followed by sharp sell-offs Thursday as economists warned the effective tariff rate was worse than worst-case scenarios. Democrats alleged possible insider trading and market manipulation; Republicans praised the move as strategic negotiation.
• Trump reversed course on tariffs with 90-day pause — After tanking the stock market, Trump reversed course on his "Liberation Day" tariffs. He announced a 90-day pause on a steep hike in tariffs on most countries, except for China, which he said would now face duties of 125%.
• Senators and representatives questioned insider trading related to tariff announcements. — Multiple members of Congress raised concerns about potential insider trading in the hours before Trump's tariff announcement. Senator Adam Schiff stated he would investigate whether Trump and associates tipped off friends to profit from market movements. Senator Bernie Sanders expressed skepticism that people with advance knowledge of the tariff reversal did not profit. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for disclosure of stock purchases made in the prior 48 hours and urged a ban on congressional insider trading. Senator Chris Murphy characterized the situation as "an insider trading scandal brewing."
• Trump's approval rating fell to 41% in new Quinnipiac poll. — A new Quinnipiac poll showed President Trump's approval rating at 41% with 53% disapproval. CNN analyst Harry Enten noted that only two presidents have had net negative approval ratings at this point in their term: Donald Trump in his first term and Donald Trump in his second term.
• White House refused to release list of 75 countries allegedly requesting tariff deals. — President Trump claimed that leaders of 75 countries had called "kissing my ass" to request trade deals, prompting him to lift most tariffs. When NBC News requested the list of these 75 countries, the White House refused to release it. The refusal raised questions about the veracity of Trump's claim and the basis for the tariff reversal.
• 30-year mortgage rates surge to 7.1% — The average mortgage rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages surged 1.3 basis points to 7.1% on this date. Matthew Graham, COO of Mortgage News Daily, characterized the week as the worst for bond markets in terms of 10-year yield jumps for anyone whose career began after 1981, indicating severe market volatility tied to administration policy.