Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• FCC commissioners accept expensive tickets from companies under regulatory review — Federal Communications Commission commissioners have accepted expensive tickets to the Kennedy Center Honors Gala from CBS and Paramount, CBS' parent company, as they considered whether to approve Paramount's merger with Skydance Media. The acceptance of these gifts from a company whose merger they were evaluating creates an apparent conflict of interest and raises questions about the integrity of the regulatory review process.

Supporting reports

• One Big Beautiful Bill Act tax and spending framework enacted without Democratic support — The Republican-controlled Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) in July 2025, extending or expanding more than $4.5 trillion in tax breaks for wealthy individuals and corporations while cutting more than $1 trillion from social welfare programs. The measure reduced the child tax credit increase below inflation-adjusted levels, with benefits concentrated among the richest fifth of Americans. The law cut $187 billion in federal SNAP funding, resulting in more than 4 million people losing food assistance between July 2025 and March 2026, including at least one million children.

Supporting reports

• Wildfires and smoke create hazardous air quality across North America — More than 800 wildfires in Canada and at least a dozen in northern Minnesota, driven by extreme weather caused by climate change, are producing smoke that exposes Americans from the Midwest to the Northeast to hazardous levels of air pollution. Detroit, Minneapolis, and Chicago rank in the top five most polluted cities in the world. New York City officials are distributing N95-type masks to commuters. More than 115 million people are in the plume of unhealthy to hazardous air quality, with conditions expected to worsen. The Trump administration has dismissed addressing climate change as a "scam."
• Canadian wildfire smoke degraded air quality in Northeast before World Cup final — Smoke from more than 100 uncontrolled fires in Canada blanketed the Northeast and Midwest with unhealthy air quality, occurring just as New Jersey prepared to host the World Cup final outdoors on July 20, 2026. The environmental degradation affects public health and major international sporting events.

Supporting reports

• White House teleprompter operator placed on administrative leave over alleged insider trading on prediction market — Gabriel Perez, Donald Trump's teleprompter operator since 2016, was placed on unpaid administrative leave after reports he used advance knowledge of the president's speeches to place bets on the Kalshi prediction market, generating over $100,000 in winnings. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the conduct "deeply unfortunate and frankly a disgrace." The CFTC is investigating the matter after Kalshi detected unusual betting patterns and referred the trades to federal regulators. Perez earned $175,000 annually as deputy assistant to the president.
• Trump's teleprompter operator investigated for betting on presidential speech content — Gabriel Perez, Trump's longtime teleprompter operator, is under federal investigation for allegedly making over $100,000 in bets on the prediction market Kalshi, wagering on which words Trump would say in his own speeches, including the February State of the Union. Investigators found that Perez allegedly withdrew from certain bets mid-speech if Trump skipped a wagered word. Kalshi froze a portion of the winnings after flagging the activity as suspicious.
• Trump's teleprompter operator placed bets on presidential speeches — Gabriel Perez, Trump's technical assistant and teleprompter operator since 2016, is in settlement talks with federal regulators after allegedly using inside knowledge of the president's speeches to place bets on prediction market Kalshi. CFTC investigators found Perez placed bets on more than a dozen Trump speeches over a three-month period, including the State of the Union address, a World Economic Forum speech in Davos, and remarks at a Medal of Honor ceremony, winning over $100,000. Perez continues to serve as one of Trump's teleprompter operators and typically has final eyes on nearly all prepared remarks.
• Truth Social announces new profit mechanism tied to Trump's office — Truth Social announced a new way for Trump to profit directly from his position as president. The announcement suggests a direct monetization of the presidency through the social media platform.

Supporting reports

• President directs 25% tariffs on all Brazilian goods with specified exemptions under Section 301 investigation — The President issued a memorandum directing the U.S. Trade Representative to impose a 25 percent tariff on all goods from Brazil, with exemptions for specified products identified in an annex. The action follows a Section 301 investigation initiated July 15, 2025, into Brazil's practices regarding digital trade, electronic payments, tariffs, anti-corruption enforcement, intellectual property, ethanol market access, and illegal deforestation. The Trade Representative determined on June 1, 2026, that certain Brazilian acts, policies, and practices are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden U.S. commerce. After receiving over 360 written comments and hearing 77 witnesses at a July 6–7, 2026 public hearing, the President determined that exemptions for certain raw materials, economy-critical products, and items unavailable domestically or from other sources are warranted.
• Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Brazil to support Bolsonaro — Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced 25% tariffs on most Brazilian imports, claiming President Lula negotiated in bad faith. Lula's government responded that the U.S. actually runs a $424.5 billion trade surplus with Brazil over 15 years and directly named the Bolsonaro family as collaborators in building the case against Brazil. The tariffs are timed to coincide with Lula's active election battle against Flavio Bolsonaro, son of the imprisoned former president, suggesting an attempt to influence a foreign election.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon internal estimate places Iran War cost at approximately $100 billion — NBC News reported on July 14 that internal Pentagon estimates place the cost of the Iran War at approximately $100 billion, substantially higher than the $37.5 billion figure Defense Secretary Hegseth cited to Congress. The discrepancy between official congressional testimony and internal Pentagon estimates raises questions about the accuracy of information provided to lawmakers overseeing military operations and expenditures.

Supporting reports

• White House issues fact sheet on EPA regulatory relief proclamation for chemical manufacturers — The White House issued a fact sheet on July 13, 2026, announcing that President Trump signed a proclamation granting two years of regulatory relief from EPA standards for chemical manufacturers producing semiconductors, medical devices, and defense materials. The proclamation allows covered facilities to comply with pre-Biden EPA standards instead of current regulations. The fact sheet states the exemptions are justified on grounds of national security and economic viability, claiming Biden-era emissions standards impose "costly and unattainable" compliance requirements.

Supporting reports

• Justice Department blocked TransDigm's acquisition of Stellant Systems, forcing deal abandonment — The Department of Justice announced it would file a lawsuit to block TransDigm Group's proposed acquisition of Stellant Systems, a rival defense contractor. Both companies manufacture mission-critical radar components for the U.S. Navy's Aegis Combat System and U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets. The DOJ determined the merger would eliminate competition and leave the Department of War with a single source for critical products, increasing supply chain risks. TransDigm abandoned the transaction after receiving notice of the intended legal challenge.

Supporting reports

• Became Law: Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025 — Congress enacted the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025 (Public Law 119-102) on July 12, 2026. The legislation modernizes federal conservation programs and emergency response mechanisms. The law became effective upon presidential signature, establishing new frameworks for environmental protection and disaster preparedness within existing federal authority.

Supporting reports

• Trump sons' defense technology investments received $3.2 billion in government contracts — The Washington Post reported that Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump have amassed a portfolio of defense technology start-ups that are benefiting from new Pentagon priorities and spending. The Trump sons have invested in more than a dozen defense companies that have collectively received at least $3.2 billion in business directly from the government since those investments, along with $3.1 billion in options for future contracts.
• Trump’s sons benefit from defense contracts — On July 13, 2026, reports emerged that Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump have invested in defense technology start-ups that are profiting from new Pentagon spending priorities, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and the intertwining of personal financial interests with government contracts.
• CNN investigation found Trump made at least 44 stock purchases before posting complimentary Truth Social messages — A CNN investigation by Casey Tolan and Isabelle Chapman, published July 16, found that Trump made at least 44 stock purchases of 21 different companies within a week before posting complimentary Truth Social messages about those firms, their executives, or their products. The investigation suggests potential market manipulation tied to Trump's social media activity.
• Trump Jr. and Eric Trump investment funds generate billions in Pentagon contracts — A Washington Post analysis found that funds linked to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump have invested in more than a dozen defense technology companies and other firms seeking business from the Pentagon and federal agencies. These companies have together generated at least $3.2 billion in direct government business since the sons invested. The arrangement raises concerns about conflicts of interest and potential self-dealing by family members of the sitting president.

Supporting reports

• Became Law: 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act — Congress enacted the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (Public Law 119-101) on July 11, 2026. The legislation addresses housing policy through federal regulatory or programmatic measures. The bill's passage reflects legislative action on residential development, affordability, or related housing infrastructure within the 21st-century policy framework.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration drains Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool again; awards repeat contracts without competitive bidding — Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that crews were draining the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool for a second time to address algae blooms, peeling paint, and debris from Independence Day fireworks. The Trump administration plans to award the same contractors—Green Water Solutions ($1.7m) and Atlantic Industrial Coatings ($14.7m)—without seeking competitive bids. The project's estimated cost has exceeded $16m. Democratic lawmakers are investigating the pool's renovation, including questions about taxpayer funding and contractor selection practices.