Category: Not Factual

Trump Claims $400M Ballroom Bargain, Ignores $1B Senate GOP Subsidy

Trump claimed his $400 million White House East Wing ballroom project will be completed ahead of schedule and under budget, contradicting Senate Republicans who requested $1 billion in taxpayer funds for security upgrades tied to the construction. Trump posted on Truth Social that the facility, being built on the site of the demolished historic East Wing, represents a bargain after costs increased from an initial $200 million estimate due to doubling the project’s size and building quality.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley introduced legislative text allocating $1 billion over three fiscal years “for security adjustments and upgrades” within the White House compound specifically “relating to the East Wing Modernization Project,” Trump’s official name for the ballroom. Grassley’s office stated the funds would support Secret Service enhancements rather than ballroom construction itself, though Trump and his administration characterize the ballroom’s bullet-resistant glass and “drone-proof” roof as security features integral to presidential protection.

Trump’s claims conflict with the stated scope of the Senate Republican proposal, which explicitly dedicates $1 billion in public money to security infrastructure supporting the project. The distinction between ballroom construction costs and security enhancements allows Republicans to fund the project through the federal budget while maintaining that taxpayer dollars finance security rather than the ballroom directly.

Federal Judge Richard Leon halted above-ground construction on the ballroom pending congressional approval, though that injunction is currently on hold. The Department of Justice filed a motion seeking to dissolve the injunction, citing national security grounds following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll released last month found that only 28 percent of voters supported building the ballroom, demonstrating the project’s unpopularity among the general public. Trump demolished the historic East Wing unilaterally six months prior to announce the ballroom initiative.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-ballroom-cost-taxpayers-b2971474.html)

Trump Talks About Leaving Office in ‘Eight or Nine Years’

Trump declared at a White House small business summit on Monday that he would remain in office “eight or nine years from now,” drawing applause and laughter from supporters. The statement functioned as a joke about the ten-year window for business tax deductions included in Republican legislation, but it articulated his intention to extend his presidency far beyond constitutional limits. This rhetoric aligns with Trump’s pattern of signaling indefinite retention of power, consistent with his attacks on constitutional constraints he has previously called an “archaic system” and a “bad thing for the country.”

During the same event, Trump made false economic claims, asserting that analysts predicted his Iran military conflict would drive oil prices to $300 per barrel and that he has secured $18 trillion in foreign investments. He also falsely credited himself with leading China in artificial intelligence and boasted about auto and AI manufacturing expansion across the country. These disproven statements demonstrate Trump’s routine use of fabricated statistics to manufacture a false record of economic success.

Trump’s comment about staying in office reflects the authoritarian trajectory of his presidency, which involves dismantling institutional independence and consolidating executive power. His willingness to joke about violating term limits before a supportive audience normalizes the elimination of democratic constraints, particularly as he has already installed loyalists in the Justice Department to obstruct investigations into himself and his associates.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/white-house-crowd-applauds-as-trump-talks-about-leaving-office-eight-or-nine-years-from-now/)

Trump Rejects Iran Peace Plan, Threatens Military Strikes

Donald Trump, the current President of the United States, rejected Iran’s 14-point peace proposal on Saturday, declaring that Tehran has “not yet paid a big enough price” for its actions over the past 47 years. Trump stated on Truth Social that he could not imagine accepting Iran’s plan, which would require the regime to open the Strait of Hormuz, end the U.S. blockade, release frozen Iranian assets, and pay compensation while deferring nuclear negotiations to a later stage. He threatened additional military strikes against Iran, telling reporters there was a “possibility” of ordering fresh attacks if Iran “misbehave[s]” or “do[es] something bad.”

Iran’s proposal, presented through mediators in Pakistan after failed negotiations in April, represents a significant concession by Tehran by postponing the contentious nuclear issue to enable agreement on immediate ceasefire terms. The plan includes U.S. withdrawal from areas surrounding Iran, lifting of sanctions, ending the war on all fronts including Lebanon, and establishing a new control mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz, which blocks approximately 20 percent of global oil and gas supplies. A senior Iranian official stated the deferral of nuclear talks was designed to create “a more conducive atmosphere” for reaching a broader agreement, with Tehran guaranteeing it would not attack if Israel and the United States reciprocated by pledging not to attack again.

The Trump administration has consistently demanded that any agreement prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, a position it cited when launching military strikes in February amid ongoing nuclear talks. Washington has violated the War Powers Resolution by refusing congressional authorization for military operations against Iran, with the conflict exceeding the mandatory 60-day deadline. Trump’s rejection of Iran’s proposal contradicts his repeated claims that he is “in no hurry” to negotiate, while he simultaneously faces domestic pressure to break Iran’s blockade of the strait and stabilize energy prices.

Iranian officials have warned that renewal of the war is “likely” given Trump’s rejection of their proposal and the collapse of mediation efforts. Trump deployed private envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan in April for ceasefire negotiations, yet diplomatic channels remain stalled. The Israeli military has killed dozens in Lebanon since a ceasefire was agreed in April, and the broader regional conflict shows no signs of resolution as Trump conditions peace on his demand for nuclear constraints Iran claims it has no intention of violating.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/trump-iran-us-war-peace-proposal-b2969676.html)

Trump shares another bizarre AI image with Cabinet members in bathing suits | The Independent

Trump posted AI-generated images on Truth Social Friday depicting himself, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum shirtless in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The images circulated as the pool undergoes a $1.5 million renovation ordered by Trump and overseen by Burgum, aimed at repairing leaks and applying a new “American flag blue” coating before the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4.

Trump has weaponized criticism of the landmark’s previous condition to justify the renovation, falsely attributing maintenance failures to the previous administration. The project represents Trump’s pattern of using federal resources and monuments to advance his personal political brand and self-aggrandizement.

On the same day Trump posted the AI images, the Reflecting Pool renovation site was vandalized with “86 47” spray-painted graffiti under investigation by U.S. Park Police. Republicans have interpreted the number “86” as a coded threat against Trump, comparing it to the recent indictment of James Comey for a social media post containing “8647,” demonstrating how Trump supporters conflate unrelated incidents to amplify victimhood narratives.

Trump’s distribution of fabricated images depicting government officials in demeaning scenarios violates norms of presidential conduct and demonstrates his abuse of Truth Social to disseminate disinformation for ent(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/trump-ai-photo-jd-vance-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-b2969540.html)ertainment and self-promotion. The bizarre nature of the content underscores Trump’s contempt for the dignity of office and serious governance.

Trump Violates War Powers Resolution, Attacks Congress

President Donald Trump violated the War Powers Resolution by refusing to seek congressional authorization for his military operations against Iran, which exceeded the mandatory 60-day deadline on May 1st, 2026. The 1973 resolution explicitly requires presidential termination of military deployments after 60 days unless Congress authorizes continued action, a requirement Trump dismissed as “totally unconstitutional” despite the law’s plain language and decades of precedent.

Trump falsely claimed that no president has sought congressional approval for military operations and that other countries do not follow such procedures, contradicting historical fact and his own responsibility under U.S. law. He attacked critics demanding compliance with the War Powers Resolution as “unpatriotic” and “losers,” characterizing lawful constitutional oversight as illegitimate while deploying private envoys to negotiate ceasefire terms, suggesting he recognized the conflict’s instability.

Trump invoked an unsubstantiated ceasefire claim to justify extending his authority beyond the statutory deadline, a maneuver that contradicts the resolution’s explicit 30-day extension provision, which requires him to seek congressional authorization regardless. The Senate rejected multiple Democratic attempts to advance legislation requiring Trump to comply with the War Powers Resolution, leaving the executive unchecked in his abuse of power and enabling continued military operations without constitutional authorization.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth characterized the U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign as a “gift to the world,” reinforcing Trump’s militaristic posture while the Pentagon circulated proposals to punish NATO members who refused to support the Iran war, exposing the authoritarian nature of Trump’s demand for absolute loyalty from allied governments.

Trump’s refusal to comply with the War Powers Resolution demonstrates his systematic dismantling of constitutional checks on executive power, replacing legislative oversight with unilateral military authority justified by baseless claims and attacks on those demanding lawful governance.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-wildly-claims-seeking-congressional-approval-for-iran-war-is-totally-unconstitutional-these-are-not-patriotic-people-that-are-asking/)

Comey Indicted Again Over Seashell Photo in Trump DOJ

Former FBI Director James Comey, a vocal critic of President Trump, was indicted by Trump’s Department of Justice for a second time on April 28, 2026. The charges stem from a 2025 social media post in which Comey arranged seashells to display “86 47,” a pattern that Republican supporters interpreted as a threat against Trump. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment in the Eastern District of North Carolina, claiming the seashell arrangement violated federal law against threatening the president and transmitting threats in interstate commerce.

Blanche asserted at a press conference that Comey’s post constituted a serious expression of intent to harm Trump, stating “a reasonable recipient who is familiar with the circumstances would interpret” the pattern as such. He defended the prosecution as consistent with First Amendment protections. The term “86” is slang meaning to “get rid of,” and Trump’s supporters claimed the full display referenced both assassination and Trump’s current presidential term. This indictment follows Trump’s DOJ subpoena of Comey as part of a broader retribution campaign against perceived political enemies.

Comey denied the charges in a video posted to his Substack account, stating “Nothing has changed with me. I’m still innocent, I’m still not afraid, and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary.” His attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said Comey would contest the charges in court and defend his First Amendment rights. Comey previously told MSNBC the seashell arrangement was a “clever way to express a political viewpoint” without violent intent, and he confirmed removing the image from Instagram while explicitly opposing violence of any kind.

The indictment represents Trump’s second attempt to prosecute Comey. A prior case filed last year for alleged perjury before Congress collapsed after a judge invalidated the appointment of Trump’s hand-picked prosecutor Lindsey Halligan. Trump’s DOJ previously fired prosecutor Robert McBride for refusing to lead Comey’s prosecution, signaling the administration’s determination to weaponize federal courts against its critics.

Blanche confirmed authorities issued an arrest warrant for Comey and stated he was unsure if Comey was in custody, inviting him to surrender to law enforcement voluntarily. The prosecution exemplifies Trump’s broader Interagency Weaponization Working Group targeting perceived adversaries across federal agencies. No court appearance date had been set as of the afternoon press conference.

(Source: https://www.axios.com/2026/04/28/trump-doj-indicts-james-comey)

Trump Demands ABC Fire Jimmy Kimmel Over First Lady Joke

Trump demanded ABC fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel on Monday following a joke the comedian made during a Thursday parody skit of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Kimmel joked that First Lady Melania Trump had “a glow like an expected widow,” referencing her in a fake video segment that never actually featured her or their son Barron present in his studio. Trump posted on Truth Social that the joke was “shocking” and “despicable,” claiming Kimmel’s words constituted a “call to violence” after a gunman with multiple weapons attempted to enter the White House Correspondents Dinner ballroom on Saturday with what Trump characterized as intent to kill administration officials.

Melania Trump posted on X hours before her husband’s demand, calling Kimmel’s rhetoric “hateful and violent” and accusing the comedian of spreading hate into American homes nightly. She criticized ABC for allegedly providing cover for Kimmel and demanded the network take action, stating that “people like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate.” Melania framed the late-night host’s comments as corrosive to national unity and deeper political division within the country.

This incident follows a similar pattern of Trump targeting late-night comedians over their commentary, as demonstrated by his previous demand that NBC fire Seth Meyers and his earlier pressure on networks regarding comedic content. Kimmel had previously faced suspension from ABC after making a joke about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, though that suspension did not result in permanent removal. The current controversy emerged amid heightened tensions between the Trump administration and media figures, with Trump using his Truth Social platform to directly pressure network leadership for personnel decisions.

Trump’s call for Kimmel’s firing represents a direct attempt to exercise authority over broadcast networks’ editorial and personnel decisions based on comedy content critical of his family. The characterization of a joke as incitement to violence, followed by a shooting incident, creates a causal narrative that links Kimmel’s words to the gunman’s actions without established factual connection. Trump’s demand reflects patterns of abuse of power through weaponizing the presidency to silence media criticism and retaliate against journalists and entertainers who mock his administration.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/breaking-trump-calls-for-abc-to-fire-jimmy-kimmel-immediately/)

Trump Attacks CBS Correspondent for Reading Shooter’s Manifesto

During a 60 Minutes interview, correspondent Norah O’Donnell read excerpts from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooter’s manifesto, which referenced targeting “administrative officials” and an unnamed “pedophile” and “rapist.” O’Donnell presented these as the gunman’s stated motives when asking Trump how the shooting would affect his relationship with the press.

Trump responded with hostility, calling O’Donnell and CBS News “horrible people” and a “disgrace” for reading the manifesto’s language on air. He denied being a rapist or pedophile, saying he was “totally exonerated,” and accused O’Donnell of associating him with unfounded claims.

Trump pivoted to attacking Democrats and the press, claiming they are “almost like one and the same” on issues like crime. He stated his associates were not involved with Epstein or related matters, redirecting blame toward unnamed figures on “the other side.”

O’Donnell clarified that she was reading the gunman’s own words from the manifesto, not making accusations against Trump. Trump continued to object to her reading the text on air, asserting she should be ashamed and demanding she stop.

The exchange occurred as Trump was being interviewed about Saturday’s shooting at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Trump’s defensive response and attacks on O’Donnell’s journalism for simply citing the shooter’s publicly available manifesto demonstrated his intolerance for any reporting that presents unfavorable information without editorial protection.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-scolds-60-mins-for-reading-shooters-manifesto-calling-him-a-pedophile/)

Donald Trump Rails Against Supreme Court Over Ending His “Liberation Day” Taxes

President Donald Trump attacked the Supreme Court on Friday for its February ruling invalidating his “Liberation Day” emergency tariffs, claiming the court could have prevented a $159 billion refund obligation by including “one little half sentence” in its decision. Trump stated that justices needed only to add language exempting already-collected tariff revenue from repayment, insisting this single phrase would have made the country substantially wealthier and spared companies from receiving refunds on duties he had imposed on nearly every U.S. trading partner.

The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision determined that Trump’s sweeping tariff action violated constitutional authority, which Congress alone possesses under Article I. Trump mischaracterized the ruling on CNBC, falsely claiming he had lost “by just two votes” when he actually lost by three votes, and incorrectly stating the justices found he had power to unilaterally levy tariffs without congressional approval. He demanded the Court should have simply reworded its opinion to shield the government from repaying collected duties, framing the refund obligation as a preventable loss caused by judicial negligence.

Trump’s complaints reveal his expectation that the Supreme Court should have restructured its legal reasoning to serve his financial interests rather than apply constitutional law as written. His repeated emphasis on a hypothetical “one sentence” fix demonstrates frustration that the judiciary did not accommodate his policy preferences through creative statutory language, and his false characterization of the vote margin and the Court’s reasoning compounds the distortion of what the decision actually addressed.

The tariff ruling stands as a constraint on Trump’s unilateral executive power, requiring him to pursue tariff authority through the different legal mechanisms already available under existing emergency statutes that Congress has delegated. Trump’s public complaints about the Court’s wording rather than its substance underscore his conflation of legal outcomes with personal grievances and his apparent belief that justices should tailor opinions to minimize fiscal consequences for his preferred policies.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-rails-against-supreme-court-over-absence-of-one-little-half-sentence-on-tariffs/)

Trump Posts Fake Candace Owens ‘Vile Person of the Year’ Pic

President Donald Trump posted a fabricated TIME magazine cover on Truth Social on Friday depicting Republican commentator Candace Owens as “Vile Person of the Year,” accompanying the disinformation with repeated attacks calling her “an extremely low IQ individual.” The doctored image included false claims such as “0% fact check ratio on all credible fact checking sites” and “protects sex offenders,” designed to portray Owens in a deliberately negative manner.

Trump’s attack on Owens follows a pattern of personal insults he directed at her and other figures on April 9, when he posted that Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Owens, and Alex Jones all have “Low IQs” and are “stupid people.” His Friday post specifically referenced Owens’ promotion of a racist conspiracy theory about French First Lady Brigitte Macron, claiming without evidence that Macron was “secretly born a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux,” a lie that has resulted in a lawsuit against Owens by the French president and first lady.

Owens responded to Trump’s attacks by mocking his age, writing on X, “It may be time to put Grandpa up in a home.” On an April 10 podcast, after Trump posted that Macron “is a far more beautiful woman than Candace,” Owens escalated her racist conspiracy theory by questioning whether Trump was gay for finding Macron attractive and repeating her false claim using the deadname “Jean-Michel Trogneux.”

The incident demonstrates Trump’s continued use of disinformation and personal attacks against critics, including those within his own political sphere. By creating and sharing a fake magazine cover with fabricated claims about Owens’ credibility, Trump engaged in the spread of false information while simultaneously attacking her intelligence in crude, schoolyard terms characteristic of his public rhetoric.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/online/trump-shares-doctored-time-cover-of-low-iq-candace-owens-vile-person-of-the-year/)

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