Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump administration uses nonprofit to conceal ballroom renovation donations — The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration has concealed the sources of donations for a $330 million ballroom renovation project by channeling funds through a nonprofit organization into a White House account directly controlled by the president. The Post obtained a list of 57 donors committed to giving $100,000 or more. The vast majority of funds came from companies and wealthy individuals with federal interests, including Nvidia and Apple ($25 million each), Microsoft, Palantir, and Lockheed Martin ($10 million each). Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's son Brandon contributed stock worth $2.5 million; U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands Joseph Popolo Jr. and his wife gave $1 million. Trump, who claimed he would help pay for the project, does not appear on the donor list.

Supporting reports

• Kennedy Center whistleblowers allege Trump-directed roof repair diversion — Whistleblowers formerly employed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts reported that six months prior, Trump loyalists running the center cancelled plans to repair a leaking roof and instead diverted $1.4 million allocated for roof repairs toward a $4.4 million repainting of the building's columns, with the stated justification that the roof is now too dangerous and requires closure and repair that will necessitate adding Trump's name to the building.

Supporting reports

• Trump commissioned 250-foot Triumphal Arch in Washington, D.C. — Trump commissioned a 250-foot Triumphal Arch in Washington, D.C., claiming he could finance it with surplus funds from his ballroom fundraising. A New York Times analysis found that Trump's 18 major construction projects during his second term carry a potential cost exceeding $1 billion, with significant taxpayer expense despite claims of private funding.
• Trump's construction projects carry over $1 billion in taxpayer costs — A New York Times analysis revealed that Trump's 18 major construction projects undertaken during his second term—including an East Wing ballroom, Kennedy Center renovations, National Garden of American Heroes, Lafayette Park, Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and others—carry a potential cost exceeding $1 billion, with significant taxpayer expense despite Trump's claims of private funding.

Supporting reports

• White House East Wing renovation costs balloon to $600 million with taxpayer funding — The Washington Post obtained internal contractor documents showing Trump's White House East Wing renovation, including a new ballroom, underground bunker, and security facilities, has grown from the $200 million Trump promised to an estimated $600 million. More than half is expected to come from taxpayers through the Secret Service, White House Military Office, and Executive Residence. Tens of millions in taxpayer funds were approved before Trump stated in March that "We have no taxpayer putting up 10 cents." The White House responded that Trump and donors are paying for the ballroom itself, ignoring other project costs.
• Trump administration approved tens of millions in taxpayer funds for White House ballroom addition — The Washington Post reported that while Trump assured the public that private donors would pay for a White House ballroom addition, the White House had already approved tens of millions of taxpayer dollars for the contractor building the addition. Internal cost estimates were significantly higher than administration officials had acknowledged in public comments or court filings. Project summaries showed the work was projected to rely heavily on taxpayer dollars from the moment it was announced.

Supporting reports

• Trump's $14 million Reflecting Pool renovation covered in algae; conservative media blamed sabotage — The Trump administration's $14 million no-bid contract to renovate the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool resulted in the pool becoming covered in green algae. The renovation painted the pool bottom blue but failed to address filtration and circulation problems, accelerating the algae problem. Conservative media personality Grant Stinchfield declared the algae a result of sabotage by the left, calling it vandalism by people who "can't stand Trump, American greatness and his quest to make DC beautiful again." The post received 3.2 million views. The actual cause was stagnant water with poor filtration, a basic scientific problem.
• National Park Service dumps hydrogen peroxide into Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool — National Park Service workers dumped bottles of hydrogen peroxide directly into the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the morning of June 16 in an attempt to mitigate an algae bloom caused by recent renovations. Reuters photographer Jonathan Ernst captured foam floating on the surface. Dr. Michael O'Brien questioned on social media whether the approach was scientifically sound, noting that at least 8,000 liters of 12% hydrogen peroxide would be needed to reach minimum concentration to kill algae.
• Trump administration awards no-bid contract for Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool renovation — The Trump administration awarded a $14.2 million no-bid contract to Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings to renovate the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, intending to turn it "American flag blue" for the nation's 250th birthday. The contractor had previously worked on a swimming pool at one of Trump's golf clubs. Days after completion, algae proliferated in warm weather, forcing National Park Service workers to use skimmers and hydrogen peroxide to address the bloom. The administration claims a "nanobubbler technology" water treatment system will resolve the issue.
• Reflecting Pool renovation cost $16 million instead of stated $1.5 million — Federal contracting records revealed that Trump's renovation of the Reflecting Pool by the Lincoln Memorial cost approximately $16 million, not the $1.5 million Trump had publicly stated. The pool is now fouled with green algae. Trump and Interior Department officials claimed the project was a success and reposted articles praising the renovation despite the cost overrun and visible algae contamination.
• Workers treated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool with hydrogen peroxide to address algae bloom — Workers poured hydrogen peroxide into the Reflecting Pool by the Lincoln Memorial to attempt to kill an algae bloom that had turned the pool bright green. The algae bloom resulted from Trump's renovation of the pool, which included dark paint on the pool floor. The dark paint caused the sun to heat the water faster than before, creating conditions that accelerated algae growth, an outcome experts had warned about.
• U.S. Park Police arrested cyclist for touching peeling pool material — On Friday, June 18, former Olympic canoe racer David Hearn, 67, was arrested by U.S. Park Police for destruction of government property, a misdemeanor, after he reached into the reflecting pool to feel the detached blue epoxy material while on a 52-mile bike ride. Hearn denied vandalizing anything, stating he was unaware of what was happening before being handcuffed. The arrest occurred as the pool's coating was actively peeling and floating in algae-filled water.
• Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool develops severe algae bloom after $14 million renovation — Days after completion of a $14 million renovation, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool developed an algae bloom more severe than any recorded in June for at least five years. Trump had promised in April to clean up the "filthy" and "disgusting" water and resurface the basin to eliminate leaking and paint it "American flag blue." After refilling began on June 4, Trump praised the "clean, beautiful water." However, satellite analysis by University of Virginia environmental scientist Alana Menendez detected more algae in the pool in an image taken the week after reopening than in any June images from 2021 onward. The Interior Department began treating the pool with hydrogen peroxide and nanobubble ozone technology, but the hydrogen peroxide is causing the new blue paint to peel, as documented in social media posts.

Supporting reports

• Federal agencies and UFC invested $60 million in White House cage fight event — Federal agencies and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) are investing at least $60 million toward a White House cage fight event scheduled for Trump's 80th birthday on Sunday, June 14, 2026. The funding has paid for a fighting arena on the South Lawn of the White House and approximately 900 workers since May 20, 2026. Trump owns significant stock in TKO Holding Group, the parent company of UFC.

Supporting reports

• UFC event planned for White House South Lawn required $60 million in federal resources — A planned UFC fight event on the White House South Lawn, scheduled for Sunday, June 15, has required coordination from more than 7 federal agencies, hundreds of daily staff, and at least $60 million in expenditures, according to a legal filing. The National Park Service confirmed that "well over $60 million and tens of thousands of hours of labor have been expended." The Secret Service screened 20–30 trucks of equipment and 700–900 staff daily beginning May 20. A lawsuit seeks to halt the event, arguing it is "a volcano of corruption" and a for-profit endeavor from which the President and allies stand to profit, distinguishing it from precedent events like Easter Egg Rolls.

Supporting reports

• National park entrance fees diverted to Trump D.C. renovation projects — The New York Times reported that the Trump administration has diverted at least $67 million in entrance fees paid by the American people to national parks to fund Trump's renovation projects in Washington, D.C. The diverted funds include a multi-million dollar contract to repaint the Reflecting Pool, awarded to a MAGA-connected contractor. The diversion represents a misappropriation of public funds collected for park maintenance and operations.
• National Park Service diverts $67 million in entrance fees for DC beautification — The National Park Service is using at least $67 million in park entrance fees to fund beautification projects in Washington, D.C., ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration. The projects were directed by Trump and include a $7 million paint job on the Reflecting Pool. The Interior Department is spending at least $95 million in total taxpayer funds on DC beautification projects, all initiated between December 2025 and April 2026. The funds come from entrance fees that would normally support park operations and maintenance nationwide.

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

• Senate Republicans included $1 billion for Trump's ballroom in DHS funding bill — Senate Republicans released the text of a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security that included $1 billion in taxpayer money designated for the "East Wing Modernization Project, including above-ground and below-ground security features" at Trump's property. The bill also allocated $3.4 billion for CBP through 2029 and $30 billion for ICE. Senate GOP leaders planned to bring the reconciliation bill to the floor the week of May 18.

Supporting reports

• Trump signs executive order establishing TrumpIRA.gov retirement-savings platform — President Trump signed Executive Order 14403 directing the Secretary of the Treasury to establish TrumpIRA.gov by January 1, 2027, a federally administered website promoting high-quality, low-cost individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for workers lacking employer-sponsored plans. The platform will list qualifying financial institutions offering IRAs with net-expense ratios capped at 0.15 percent, no minimum-contribution requirements, and diversified investment options. Eligible workers contributing to qualifying IRAs may receive a Federal Saver's Match contribution of up to $1,000 under the SECURE 2.0 Act. The order directs Treasury and Labor to issue regulations ensuring worker protections and transparency.
• White House issued fact sheet on economic data — The White House published a fact sheet claiming that recent economic data demonstrates strength in the U.S. economy under President Trump. The document cites data on housing construction, home prices, rent growth, manufacturing orders, consumer confidence, personal income, jobless claims, and business investment. It attributes these figures to Trump's "pro-growth agenda" and states that "America is building, investing, and growing once again."
• White House issues fact sheet promoting executive order establishing TrumpIRA.gov retirement savings platform — The White House published a fact sheet on April 30, 2026, promoting an executive order signed by President Trump directing the Treasury Secretary to establish TrumpIRA.gov, a federal platform connecting workers without employer retirement plans to private IRAs. The order directs Treasury to implement a Federal Saver's Match program providing up to $1,000 annually to eligible lower- and middle-income workers, with the platform operational by January 1, 2027. The fact sheet claims the initiative addresses 41 million workers aged 18–65 lacking employer-provided retirement access.
• White House signed Executive Order 14403 establishing TrumpIRA.gov retirement-savings platform — The White House signed Executive Order 14403 on April 30, 2026, directing the Secretary of the Treasury to establish TrumpIRA.gov by January 1, 2027. The platform will provide information about low-cost individual retirement accounts (IRAs) offered by private financial institutions, with a focus on workers lacking employer-sponsored plans. The order states eligible workers may receive a Federal Saver's Match contribution of up to $1,000 and directs Treasury to ensure participating IRAs maintain net-expense ratios below 0.15 percent and impose no minimum-contribution requirements.
• Trump issues executive order establishing TrumpIRA.gov retirement-savings platform — President Trump signed an executive order on April 30, 2026, directing the Treasury Secretary to establish TrumpIRA.gov, a federally administered website promoting high-quality, low-cost individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for workers lacking employer-sponsored plans. The platform will highlight qualifying private-sector IRAs meeting cost and transparency standards, facilitate access to the Federal Saver's Match (up to $1,000 contribution), and provide information on diversified, index-based investment options similar to those available to federal employees. Implementation deadline is January 1, 2027.

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

• 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

• Homeland Security Secretary traveled in $70 million luxury aircraft — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and her affair partner Corey Lewandowski travel in a $70 million luxury Boeing 737 MAX jet equipped with a private cabin, according to Wall Street Journal reporting. The use of such an aircraft for personal travel by a cabinet secretary raises questions about misuse of government resources.
• Department of Homeland Security plans $70 million luxury jet purchase for Kristi Noem — The Department of Homeland Security announced plans to purchase a $70 million luxury jet for Secretary Kristi Noem's travel. The aircraft features a bedroom with queen bed, showers, kitchen, four large flat-screen televisions, and a bar. Officials are attempting to justify the purchase as necessary for deportation operations and cabinet travel.
• DHS began leasing luxury Boeing 737 Max 8 jet for deportations and Cabinet travel — The Department of Homeland Security recently began leasing a Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft described as a luxury jet, equipped with a bedroom with queen bed, showers, kitchen, four large flat-screen televisions, and a bar. ICE is now seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget to purchase the aircraft for $70 million, stating it would be used for deportations and Cabinet officials' travel. The aircraft features interior design by renowned New York designer Peter Marino. Secretary Kristi Noem recently flew on the jet for a trip to Tel Aviv. Some ICE officials initially deemed the aircraft too luxurious for use in immigrant deportations.

Supporting reports

• Trump purchased marble and onyx for White House during Iran crisis — While posting threats of military intervention against Iran, Trump stopped at Arc Stone and Tile in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, to purchase marble and onyx. A White House official issued a statement claiming the purchase was "at his own expense, for the White House Ballroom." The timing and framing raised questions about the authenticity of the expense claim.
• Trump's motorcade stopped for personal shopping at a stone supplier — Trump's motorcade pulled over in Lake Worth, Florida, around 9:46 a.m. so the president could shop at Arc Stone and Tile, a wholesale supplier near Mar-a-Lago. According to White House press pool reporting, Trump was purchasing marble and onyx at "his own expense" for the White House ballroom, which he refers to as the Golden Ballroom. Reporters were held in vans during the stop.

Supporting reports

• Trump auctions Jesus portrait at Mar-a-Lago New Year's Eve gala for $2.75 million — President Trump hosted a New Year's Eve gala at Mar-a-Lago where he auctioned a portrait of Jesus Christ painted live onstage by artist Vanessa Horabuena. The painting sold for $2.75 million, with proceeds split between St. Jude's Children's Hospital and the local sheriff's department. The event drew prominent guests including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and others. Trump stated his New Year's resolution was "peace on Earth."

Supporting reports

• Trump announced golf course renovation at Joint Base Andrews with Jack Nicklaus — President Trump announced plans to renovate the golf courses at Joint Base Andrews, a military installation, with legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus as the architect. Trump took an aerial tour of the courses aboard Marine One and promised to "reinstitute" the three 18-hole golf courses, practice greens, and driving range. The announcement raised questions about who would pay Nicklaus for his design services and who would fund improvements to military property, with no clarity provided on funding sources or procurement procedures.

Supporting reports

• White House began soliciting corporate sponsorships for Easter Egg Roll for first time in 147 years — The White House announced it is soliciting corporate sponsors for the 2025 Easter Egg Roll, an annual tradition held since 1878. Sponsorship packages range from $75,000 to $200,000, with sponsors receiving naming rights for key areas, logo placement on signage, branded baskets and merchandise, mentions in official communications and social media, and inclusion in press releases. The White House claims all revenue will go to the White House Historical Association. This marks the first time the White House has allowed corporate branding opportunities on its grounds.
• Trump administration solicits corporate sponsors for White House Easter Egg Roll at $200,000 per package — The Trump White House released a pitch document seeking corporate sponsors for the annual Easter Egg Roll, breaking with tradition. Sponsorship packages range from $75,000 to $200,000, offering sponsors brand visibility, logos on event signage, general admission and VIP tickets including White House brunch access. The move marks a departure from the event's historically politics-free, non-commercialized tradition dating to 1878 and draws criticism from ethics watchdogs over the administration's relationship with corporate backers.

Supporting reports

• Trump promotes $TRUMP meme coin via Truth Social, boosting price temporarily — On March 23, 2025, President Trump used his Truth Social platform to promote $TRUMP, an eponymous meme coin in which he holds an 80% stake (800 million coins) through Fight Fight Fight LLC. The post spiked the coin's price by over $1 in minutes, though gains were largely reversed by afternoon. Trump stands to profit substantially once coins unlock in mid-April; at $10 per coin, his stake represents an $8 billion potential windfall. The coin has already generated $86–$100 million in trading fees for Trump-controlled entities.
• Coinbase listed and promoted $TRUMP meme coin days after announcement — Within days of $TRUMP's announcement, Coinbase and other major trading platforms listed the meme coin and took the "extraordinary step" of promoting it to their user base. This rapid listing conferred legitimacy on $TRUMP and made it available to millions of retail investors. Major platforms typically hesitate to list meme coins because most are scams; the speed and promotional effort for $TRUMP stand out as unusual.
• Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) stock plummeted despite Trump's increased profile — Trump Media & Technology Group, the publicly traded parent of Truth Social, lost over $400 million on just $3.6 million in revenue in 2024, down from $4.1 million in 2023 despite Trump's increased public profile following his 2024 election victory. TMTG's stock price has lost more than 40% of its value in 2025. The company's market cap of over $4 billion is driven primarily by sentiment around Trump rather than economic performance, making it a "meme stock."