Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• White House posted image of "Superman Trump" on social media — On July 10, 2025, the White House posted an image on X (formerly Twitter) depicting a much younger President Trump dressed as Superman with fists clenched against a gauzy background, captioned "TRUTH. JUSTICE. THE AMERICAN WAY."

Supporting reports

• EPA Secretary Zeldin announced investigation into geoengineering conspiracy theory — EPA Secretary Lee Zeldin announced he will investigate claims advanced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and others that the "Deep State" caused the Texas floods through geoengineering and contrails. Zeldin framed the investigation as responding to legitimate public questions that had previously been dismissed by media and government.

Supporting reports

• Administration claimed credit for Biden-era investments — The Trump administration's "Trump effect" website claims credit for more than $2.6 trillion in U.S. investments. Reuters found that more than $1.3 trillion of those investments originated under Biden or were routine spending. White House officials justified the claims by saying "final investment decisions were announced under [Trump's] watch." One company warned its $50 billion investment pledge is threatened by Trump's policies.

Supporting reports

• Democratic senators introduce bill to prohibit ICE agents from wearing masks — Senators Alex Padilla (California) and Cory Booker (New Jersey) introduced legislation requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal immigration enforcement officers to clearly display their agency name, badge number, and either their name or badge number without tactical gear or face coverings. The bill prohibits masks and balaclavas that obscure officer identity, with exceptions for officer safety in specific circumstances such as gas mask use during crowd dispersal. The measure responds to reports of masked agents in unmarked vehicles conducting enforcement operations without meaningful identification.

Supporting reports

• Pregnant physician and medical associations sue Trump administration over RFK Jr's anti-vaccine guidance — A pregnant doctor and leading medical associations—including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians, and American Public Health Association—filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's unilateral decision to recommend against Covid-19 vaccines for pregnant women and healthy children. Kennedy's May announcement circumvented expert scientific review and contradicted evidence of heightened risk to pregnant women and infants. The lawsuit alleges the administration sought to "desensitize the public to anti-vaccine and anti-science rhetoric."

Supporting reports

• Trump administration doubled down on exaggerated Iran nuclear claims — Trump claimed he had "totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear program, a statement that turned out to be exaggerated. When journalists questioned the claim, the administration doubled down on it rather than correcting the record.

Supporting reports

• Elon Musk posts that Steve Bannon is in Epstein files — Elon Musk posted on social media that Steve Bannon's name appears in the Epstein files, a claim made without context or verification during a Cabinet meeting discussion of Epstein's death.

Supporting reports

• Tucker Carlson accuses AG Bondi of covering up crimes — Tucker Carlson stated on his podcast that Attorney General Pam Bondi is covering up crimes, in reference to her responses about Epstein's death and missing surveillance footage.

Supporting reports

• Trump claims Epstein files are fabrications by political opponents and discourages public interest — On July 8, after sustained criticism from his MAGA base over the administration's handling of Epstein-related disclosures, Trump dismissed the controversy as a "desecration" of flood victims. When criticism persisted, Trump posted on Truth Social claiming that additional Epstein files exist but were "written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan, and the Losers and Criminals of the Biden Administration." He urged supporters to "not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about." This statement contradicted the administration's earlier promise to release such files and reframed legitimate investigative material as partisan fabrication.

Supporting reports

• Trial begins on Trump administration's deportation policy targeting pro-Palestinian students — A federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's effort to deport foreign students based on pro-Palestinian political speech commenced trial in Massachusetts federal court on July 7, 2025. Brought by the American Association of University Professors, university chapters, and the Middle East Studies Association, the case represents the first legal challenge to reach trial on what critics call "ideological deportation." Witnesses testified about a chilling effect on campus speech, with noncitizen scholars self-censoring academic work and declining to teach or publish on Palestine-related topics. The government denies a formal policy exists but claims authority to deport noncitizens whose presence it deems a threat to U.S. foreign policy, even absent criminal conduct.

Supporting reports

• Trump and Netanyahu attacked Zohran Mamdani over ICC arrest warrant — Also during the dinner, Trump and Netanyahu attacked Zohran Mamdani for saying he would arrest Netanyahu if he visited New York, which he told Zeteo in December, in conjunction with an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Trump, who last week used the antisemitic phrase "shylocks," baselessly accused Mamdani of saying "some really bad thing about Jewish people." Calling Mamdani a "communist," Trump also warned that he "better behave" if he becomes mayor of New York City, saying, "otherwise, he's going to have big problems."

Supporting reports

• Rep. Greene introduces weather modification conspiracy bill — Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene announced that she is introducing legislation that would prohibit the injection, release, or dispersion of chemicals or substances into the atmosphere for the purpose of altering weather, temperature, climate, or sunlight intensity, making it a felony offense. Greene stated: "I have been researching weather modification and working with the legislative counsel for months writing this bill. We must end the dangerous and deadly practice of weather modification and geoengineering." The bill was introduced in the context of the Central Texas flooding disaster.

Supporting reports

• DHS Secretary Noem claims Trump is upgrading NWS technology — During a press conference, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that President Trump is "currently upgrading the technology in the NWS" and that "we needed to renew this ancient system that has been left in place with the federal government." This claim was made in response to a question about why the National Weather Service did not alert residents before 7 a.m. during the Central Texas flooding that killed 69 people.

Supporting reports

• Former Georgia GOP candidate promotes weather manipulation conspiracy — Kandiss Taylor, a former Georgia GOP official and candidate for Congress, posted on social media: "Fake weather. Fake hurricanes. Fake flooding. Fake. Fake. Fake. This isn't just 'climate change.' It's cloud seeding, geoengineering, and manipulation. If fake weather causes real tragedy, that's murder." When her comments drew backlash, Taylor responded: "I'm not walking back a thing. No one can control the way you raging liberals twist words. Brainwashed zombies."

Supporting reports

• Senior Trump official characterizes trade negotiations as theatrical — A senior Trump administration official told Politico that the administration's "trade negotiations" are fake and that Trump is conducting tariff policy for drama and theater. The official stated: "Trump knows the most interesting part of his presidency is the tariff conversation. It's all fake. There's no deadline. It's a self-imposed landmark in this theatrical show, and that's where we are."

Supporting reports

• Treasury Secretary Bessent claims countries have not contacted administration about trade deals — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was asked on CNN why the Trump administration has not achieved any real trade deals despite the President's reputation as a dealmaker. Bessent responded: "He didn't promise this. We sent out a 100 letters, but many of these countries never even contacted us." This contradicted earlier statements by White House Communications Director Karoline Leavitt in April that "The rest of the world is calling our Admin, the phones are ringing off the hook because they need the US."

Supporting reports

• Treasury Secretary Bessent dismisses tariff concerns as "Tariff Derangement Syndrome" — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared on Fox News and was asked about a poll showing 57% of Americans believe tariffs will hurt the U.S. economy. Bessent responded: "Trump Derangement Syndrome has turned into Tariff Derangement Syndrome." The statement dismissed public concern about tariff policy without addressing the substantive economic concerns.

Supporting reports

• Trump criticizes Musk's third party formation — President Trump was asked about Musk's announcement of the America Party and responded: "I think it's ridiculous to start a 3rd party. Starting a 3rd party just adds to confusion. So he can have fun with it, but I think it's ridiculous." Trump later posted on Truth Social: "I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely off the rails, essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past 5 weeks. He even wants to start of 3rd political party, despite the fact that they have never succeeded in the US and the system seems not designed for them. The one thing 3rd parties are good at is TOTAL DISRUPTION AND CHAOS."
• Trump attacked Elon Musk on Truth Social over third party formation — On Truth Social, Trump attacked Elon Musk, saying he is "saddened" to watch his former adviser "go completely 'off the rails,'" and "essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks." He also suggested that Musk's desire to start a third political party is only good for "the creation of Complete and Total DISRUPTION & CHAOS."

Supporting reports

• Trump announces 50% tariff on copper — During the Cabinet meeting, Trump announced a 50% tariff on copper without prior notice or legislative coordination. The announcement was made casually amid other remarks and represents a unilateral executive action on trade policy.
• Trump confirms August 1 tariff deadline via Truth Social — After being questioned about the firmness of his August 1 tariff deadline and facing social media ridicule for equivocation, Trump posted on Truth Social stating that tariffs will begin August 1, 2025, with no extensions granted and all money due and payable on that date.
• Senior Trump official characterizes trade negotiations as theatrical — A senior Trump administration official told Politico that the administration's "trade negotiations" are fake and that Trump is conducting tariff policy for drama and theater. The official stated: "Trump knows the most interesting part of his presidency is the tariff conversation. It's all fake. There's no deadline. It's a self-imposed landmark in this theatrical show, and that's where we are."

Supporting reports

• Social Security Administration sent misleading email about tax bill benefits — The previously nonpartisan Social Security Administration sent an email to Social Security recipients claiming the budget reconciliation bill "eliminates federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries." The claim is inaccurate. The law does not eliminate federal income taxes on Social Security benefits; instead, it provides a temporary tax deduction of up to $6,000 for individuals over 65 with annual incomes below $75,000, or $12,000 for married couples with incomes below $150,000. The misrepresentation suggests the administration is using federal agencies to promote the law despite public disapproval.

Supporting reports

• Social Security Administration issues misleading email praising Trump's tax bill — The Social Security Administration (SSA), historically a nonpartisan agency, circulated an email on Thursday claiming Trump's reconciliation bill "eliminates federal income taxes on social security benefits for most beneficiaries." SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano stated nearly 90% of beneficiaries would no longer pay federal income taxes on benefits. However, the bill does not eliminate such taxes; it provides only a temporary tax deduction of up to $6,000 (or $12,000 for married seniors), phasing out for higher incomes. Former SSA officials and Democratic lawmakers condemned the email as misleading partisan propaganda.

Supporting reports

• Trump uses antisemitic slur "shylocks" at Iowa rally — During his July 4 rally in Des Moines, President Trump referred to bankers who exploit clients as "shylocks," a term the Anti-Defamation League has identified as an antisemitic stereotype. When questioned by reporters afterward, Trump claimed he was unaware the word carried antisemitic connotations, stating "I've never heard it that way" and defining it only as referring to money lenders at high rates. Vice President Biden had apologized in 2014 for using the same term.

Supporting reports

• House advances Trump tax-and-spending bill through procedural votes — The House of Representatives advanced Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" through procedural votes on July 2–3, 2025, after Democratic minority leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered an 8-hour-44-minute floor speech opposing passage. The bill, which passed the Senate on July 1 with Vice President JD Vance casting a tie-breaking vote, includes $3.3 trillion in deficit spending through 2034, extends 2017 tax cuts, allocates $45 billion for ICE detention and $14 billion for deportation operations, imposes new Medicaid work requirements, and sunsets green-energy incentives. Speaker Mike Johnson secured final Republican holdouts to advance the measure toward a final House vote.
• House passes Trump tax-and-spending bill with permanent tax cuts, deportation funding, and safety-net cuts — The U.S. House of Representatives passed Trump's comprehensive tax-and-spending legislation on Thursday, following Senate passage on Tuesday with VP Vance's tie-breaking vote. The bill extends 2017 tax cuts permanently (benefiting high earners disproportionately), allocates $45bn for ICE detention and $14bn for deportation operations, funds $50bn+ for border fortifications, cuts Medicaid (affecting ~10.6m people) and SNAP (affecting ~8m people), phases out clean-energy tax credits, raises the debt ceiling by $5tn, and increases the deficit by $3.3tn through 2034. The bill now awaits Trump's signature.
• Trump budget bill passage with immigration enforcement expansion and social benefit cuts — The House passed Donald Trump's budget reconciliation bill on Thursday, July 3, 2025, with no Democratic support and only two Republican defections (Thomas Massie and Brian Fitzpatrick). The bill expands immigration enforcement funding to $170 billion (making ICE larger than the FBI, DEA, and Bureau of Prisons combined), cuts Medicaid expansion, reduces SNAP benefits, allows the tipped-worker tax break to sunset in three years while making billionaire tax cuts permanent, and removes subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Democrats issued widespread condemnation, citing projected deaths and loss of healthcare access.
• Hakeem Jeffries delivers record-breaking House floor speech opposing Trump tax bill — Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke for more than eight hours on the House floor beginning shortly before 5am on Thursday, July 3, 2025, breaking the previous record of 8 hours 32 minutes set by Kevin McCarthy in 2021. Using the "magic minute" tradition that allows House leaders unlimited speaking time after floor debate concludes, Jeffries opposed Trump's $4.5 trillion tax-and-spending bill, reading stories of Americans who would lose healthcare, food assistance, and other benefits. He characterized the legislation as a "crime scene" and "abomination" that will harm millions while benefiting billionaires.
• House passes Trump tax-and-spending bill with 218-214 vote — The US House of Representatives passed Donald Trump's sweeping tax-and-spending bill on Thursday with a narrow 218-214 vote after weeks of negotiations. The legislation extends 2017 tax cuts permanently, creates new exemptions for tips and overtime pay, allocates $170 billion to immigration enforcement and border wall construction, and cuts Medicaid and SNAP benefits. The Congressional Budget Office projects it will add $3.3 trillion to the national debt through 2034 and cost millions of people their healthcare and food assistance benefits.
• Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered record-length floor speech opposing budget bill — Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-VA) delivered the longest floor speech in House history, lasting all night and into Thursday afternoon, opposing the budget bill. He criticized the bill's impact on the poor and sick, concluding with a statement about hypocrisy: "You got some people in this town who go to church and pray on Sunday, and then they come to Congress and prey on the American people."
• House Republicans adopted Senate budget bill without amendments after Trump summoned Freedom Caucus members to Oval Office — House Republicans voted to adopt the Senate's budget bill following a marathon debate session. Despite weeks of public complaints from Freedom Caucus members that the Senate version was "horrible" and promises to make significant changes, the House passed it unchanged. Trump summoned the dissenting Republicans to the Oval Office, where they received signed merchandise and photos; they emerged agreeing to support the bill. Only two Republicans voted against it: Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). The bill adds nearly $4 trillion to the debt and cuts Medicaid, Medicare, and nutrition assistance.
• Congressional passage of budget legislation with expansions to law enforcement and detention infrastructure — The House of Representatives passed a budget bill described as containing provisions for expanded law enforcement capacity, detention facilities, and enforcement quotas. The legislation was characterized by commentators as regressive and dangerous. The bill reportedly allocates resources toward building what critics describe as a sophisticated law enforcement apparatus with detention infrastructure and enforcement mechanisms tied to quota systems. The passage occurred despite stated opposition from advocacy groups and public awareness campaigns.
• House passes "One Big Beautiful Bill"; Trump administration announces legislative victory — The White House issued a press release announcing that the House of Representatives passed legislation titled the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which the administration characterizes as delivering "the largest middle-class tax cut in history," border security measures, military funding, and other provisions. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the bill represents "the biggest legislative win of President Trump's two terms" and that Trump "looks forward to signing" it into law. The release does not provide the bill's actual text, specific provisions, or legislative details.
• House and Senate pass Trump's tax-and-spending bill with narrow Republican majorities — Republicans passed a sweeping budget bill extending 2017 tax cuts, increasing the debt limit by $4 trillion, and adding work requirements to Medicaid and Snap. The House passed it 219–213 on Thursday after Speaker Johnson held the vote open for seven hours—the longest recorded—while Trump pressured holdouts via phone calls and social media. The Senate passed it 50–50 with Vice President Vance breaking the tie. The bill faced opposition from fiscal conservatives and moderates over deficit concerns and Medicaid cuts, resolved through targeted state benefits and executive order promises.

Supporting reports

• FCC suspends prison phone price caps, blocking enforcement of 2024 rule — FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced Monday that the FCC will no longer enforce a 2024 rule capping in-state prison phone calls at $0.06–$0.07 per minute. The suspension applies until April 1, 2027, during which the FCC will consider permanent changes. The 2024 rule, which reduced call costs from as much as $11.35 to $0.90 for a 15-minute call, was mandated by the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez objected, stating the suspension violates the statute and Congress's directive. The rule also banned kickbacks to prison operators; those remain suspended.
• FCC cites corporate claims rather than evidence in justifying suspension of prison phone price caps — In the order suspending the 2024 price-cap rule, the FCC explicitly cited "financial burdens" on prison operators and claimed that without commissions or high prices, many facilities would stop allowing incarcerated people to make phone calls. According to Popular Information's reporting, this conclusion is "largely based on claims made to the FCC by the corporations profiting from the existing system," rather than independent evidence or analysis.
• FCC postponed prison phone rate reduction rules for two years — FCC Chairman Brendon Carr announced the agency would postpone rules passed unanimously in 2024 to reduce prison and jail phone rates for two years. FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez said the postponement was "shielding a broken system that inflates costs and rewards kickbacks to correctional facilities at the expense of incarcerated individuals and their loved ones." The delay blocks consumer protections.
• GEO Group and CoreCivic donated to Trump campaign and inauguration while benefiting from FCC suspension — During the 2024 campaign, GEO Group's PAC made the maximum contribution to Trump's campaign; CEO Brian Evans and board chairman George Zoley each donated $11,600 to Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee. GEO Acquisition II, a GEO Group subsidiary, donated $1 million to Make America Great Again PAC. After Trump's election, GEO Group and CoreCivic each donated $500,000 to Trump's inauguration committee. Both Tom Homan (Trump's border czar) and Attorney General Pam Bondi have received payments from GEO Group—Homan as a consultant in 2023–2024, Bondi as a lobbyist in 2019.

Supporting reports

• Senate Republicans advance Trump's tax-and-spending bill through vote-a-rama process — Senate Republicans continued debate on Trump's "one big, beautiful bill," a massive tax-and-spending measure combining tax cuts, tip deductions, and immigration enforcement funding offset by cuts to Medicaid, food stamps, and green energy programs. The chamber extended the "vote-a-rama" amendment process into a second day. Early Tuesday, senators voted 99–1 to strike an AI regulation ban. The bill faces uncertain passage with at least two Republican defections (Tillis, Paul) already committed against it, leaving no margin for error.
• Senate Republicans pass Trump's sweeping policy bill with Vice President tie-breaker — On July 1, 2025, the Senate passed Trump's major legislative package by a narrow margin, with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie. The bill includes tens of billions for mass deportations and border walls, tax-cut extensions, and cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. Moderate Republicans initially resisted, particularly over Medicaid reductions affecting poor and disabled Americans and rural hospitals. Senate leadership negotiated targeted provisions—including $50 billion for rural hospitals and tax deductions for Native Alaskan whalers—to secure passage. The CBO estimates the bill will increase the uninsured population by 11.8 million by 2034 and add $3.3 trillion to the deficit through 2034.
• Senate Republicans pass Trump's tax and spending bill with vice-presidential tiebreaker — The Republican-controlled Senate passed a major tax and spending bill demanded by Donald Trump on Tuesday, with Vice President JD Vance breaking a 50-50 tie after three Republicans joined all Democrats in opposition. The legislation extends tax cuts from Trump's first term, funds mass deportation operations ($45bn for ICE detention, $14bn for deportation operations), allocates over $50bn for border fortifications, imposes new work requirements on Medicaid enrollees, and limits provider taxes states use to fund Medicaid. The Congressional Budget Office estimates it will add $3.3 trillion to the deficit through 2034. The bill now goes to the House, where passage remains uncertain due to factional divisions among Republicans.
• Senate passed budget reconciliation bill with Vice President Vance's tiebreaking vote — The Senate voted 50–50 on a budget reconciliation bill, with all Democrats and Independents voting no, joined by three Republicans (Susan Collins, Rand Paul, Thom Tillis). Vice President J.D. Vance cast the deciding vote to pass the measure. The bill cuts taxes for the wealthy and corporations while slashing Medicaid and food security programs for low-income Americans. It allocates $170.7 billion to immigration enforcement, including $51.6 billion for border wall construction, $45 billion for ICE detention facilities, and $29.9 billion for ICE enforcement operations.
• Senate passed budget reconciliation bill 51-50 with VP Vance breaking tie — The Senate passed a major budget reconciliation bill on July 1, 2025, by a vote of 51-50, with Vice President JD Vance casting the deciding vote. Three Republicans—Susan Collins, Rand Paul, and Thom Tillis—voted against it. The bill must return to the House for reconciliation due to significant Senate amendments. The legislation includes major tax cuts, safety-net reductions targeting Medicaid and food stamps, clean energy subsidy cuts, and raises the debt ceiling by approximately $5 trillion, adding an estimated $3 trillion to the deficit.
• Senate passes Trump budget bill with 50-50 vote plus VP tiebreaker — The Senate voted 50-50 on Trump's budget bill, with the Vice President casting the tiebreaking vote to pass it. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) characterized the legislation as corrupt and crooked, noting it was drafted in closed sessions, released at midnight, contained inflated figures, and provided substantial tax benefits to wealthy Republican donors while cutting social programs. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.
• Republican-controlled Senate passed Trump's Big Beautiful Bill with tie-breaking vote — The Republican-controlled Senate narrowly passed Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance, sending it back to the House for another vote. The bill includes the biggest Medicaid and SNAP cuts in history, makes ICE the highest-funded federal law enforcement agency, and adds at least $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade.