Category: Not Factual

Trump Jokes About Fourth Presidential Run, Third Term at Press Dinner

President Donald Trump attended the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington on Friday, July 25, 2026, where he joked about seeking a fourth presidential run to achieve a third term in office. Trump announced his intention to run for president again while wearing a “Trump 2028” red cap, framing the comment as a “scoop” for the assembled press corps. The constitutional amendment limiting presidents to two terms makes a third term legally impossible, yet Trump has repeatedly made comments hinting at extending his tenure beyond constitutional limits.

Trump delivered an hour-long speech at the event, striking a lighter tone than his typical media criticism while still attacking what he calls the “fake news media” and taking swipes at journalists and political rivals in attendance. He made crude jokes about health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., quipping that Kennedy had run over a cow with his car to provide beef for the dinner and suggested Kennedy wanted to serve roadkill as an appetizer. Trump also joked with journalists about bulletproof vests, saying they worried the protective gear made them look heavier.

The dinner, which celebrates press freedom, was relocated to the Waldorf Astoria hotel under heightened security after being suspended in April following an alleged attempted assassination on Trump. Weijia Jiang, the outgoing president of the White House Correspondants’ Association, stated the event’s return sent a message: “We are back. We will not be intimidated.” Trump later echoed this sentiment, declaring “We do not yield to political violence… No deranged loser with a gun will ever change that.”

This marked the first time Trump, who has frequently clashed with the press, attended the correspondents’ dinner. Trump’s appearance included attacks on journalists and media outlets while he made jokes that largely fell flat. His repeated references to a potential third term continue a pattern of comments normalizing the idea of extending presidential power beyond the constitutional two-term limit.



(Source: https://news.sky.com/story/donald-trump-jokes-hell-run-for-president-again-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner-13566802)

Trump Attacks Collins, Media at Correspondents Dinner

President Donald Trump delivered a rambling hour-long speech at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Friday, attacking journalists and media outlets while making crude jokes that largely fell flat with the assembled press corps. Trump complained openly about the “frickin’ stupid speech” written for him after a sex joke about stairs failed to generate laughs, then spent much of his time assaulting members of the media he claimed to respect.

Trump directed his harshest attacks at CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins, repeating his demand that she smile more while covering him, continuing his documented pattern of singling out female journalists with sexist remarks. CNN CEO Mark Thompson responded by defending the network’s journalists and reaffirming their constitutional right to report without government interference. Trump also branded CNN’s Jake Tapper “Fake Tapper” and called Wall Street Journal reporter Josh Dawsey “unhireable,” while mocking the network’s coverage of the Trump-Epstein saga that prompted him to file an unsuccessful $10 billion defamation suit.

Trump devoted a lengthy, humor-free section of his speech to defending his controversial $600 million White House ballroom project, complaining that opponents motivated by “Trump derangement syndrome” were suing to block it. He also joked that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wanted to serve roadkill at the dinner, and mocked President Joe Biden’s mental fitness while claiming NBC and ABC should lose their broadcast licenses for not airing his recent primetime address about alleged foreign election interference.

Trump concluded by donning a 2028 campaign hat and stating he wanted to run for another term, which the Constitution prohibits. His speech demonstrated the Trump administration’s consistent hostility toward press freedom: the White House recently withdrew demands that New York Times journalists testify about sources, the Pentagon has systematically denied media access to defense officials, and Trump has filed repeated defamation suits against news outlets covering him unfavorably.

Critics condemned the speech as demonstrating Trump’s contempt for the independent press. Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta called the dinner “a disgrace,” describing Trump’s address as “rambling, unhinged speech is full of hate and spite” targeting his usual adversaries. CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang and other speakers at the event highlighted Trump’s documented efforts to intimidate and sideline journalists throughout his time in office.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-white-house-correspondents-dinner-jokes-b3021335.html?fbclid=IwdGRjcATRmoZwZG9mBWZkaWQWULMQihHnyqTMCaGolZV_P33h_tkIl2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5dmA1iAOXG4ce9HsFoFF6EFz2dZ8FzuYuWP-gWoN_vildp7260a4lO81jaVA_aem_nS-QMLsOG59UP2V3IzKcdA)ideline journalists throughout his time in office.

Trump Reverses Course on China Election Data Breach Within Days

President Donald Trump downplayed Chinese election interference five days after denouncing it as the largest breach in U.S. electoral history. During a primetime speech on July 16, Trump accused China of acquiring 220 million American voter files beginning in 2020, characterizing the data loss as an “unprecedented election security nightmare.” On July 21, however, he reversed course, stating the alleged breach occurred “a long time ago” and suggesting China had changed since then.

Trump offered no concrete response to the alleged interference, declining to announce sanctions or other punitive measures against Beijing. Instead, he equivocated by claiming the United States conducts equivalent operations against China, saying “they do things and we do things to them” and “it’s not a one-way street.” The White House refused to clarify whether Trump was considering any consequences for the breach.

The abrupt shift followed Trump’s prior characterization of the compromise as a critical threat to American democracy. His initial accusation during the primetime address positioned the incident as a direct attack on U.S. election integrity. The contradictory statements within five days demonstrate a pattern of inconsistent treatment of foreign adversaries, mirroring Trump’s history of praising authoritarian leaders despite documented interference in American affairs.

One day after Trump’s initial speech, a White House official confirmed that planning for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States in September remained on track despite the alleged breach. The decision to proceed with the visit without addressing Trump’s claimed security emergency underscores the administration’s prioritization of diplomatic relations over election security accountability.



(Source: https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/21/politics/china-trump-election-interference?Date=20260721&Profile=CNNPolitics&utm_content=1784654754&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&fbclid=IwdGRjcATM_kBwZG9mBWZkaWQWULAE_UcO_z8P84ei4vGcMgsNqSmjRmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR4ompnNEdQKRSdzak5xdm5W7EmjLeiNcQFDH3OraoKPj4pBYD26DgGLd7UxMA_aem_Bdf_Bd4f5aPEmiwqcdb3FA)

RFK Jr. Halts Medicaid Funds to Blue States Despite No Proof of Fraud | The New Republic

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Mehmet Oz announced a $1 billion freeze on Medicare and Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota on Tuesday, accusing the states of “suspected fraud and noncompliance.” Kennedy demanded the states provide documentation proving the payments were legitimate but presented no new evidence supporting the fraud allegations, according to Reuters.

The funding freeze follows a pattern of Trump administration officials targeting Democratic-led states with unsubstantiated accusations of widespread public program fraud. In May, the White House blocked $1.3 billion in Medicaid reimbursements for California; last month Trump directed federal agencies to investigate blocking additional California funding; and the Federal Emergency Management Agency held up disaster aid to blue states earlier this year. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin recently threatened to block federal grants and jail state officials in Democratic states refusing to surrender voter registration data to the administration.

California and Minnesota are expected to challenge the funding cuts in court, where states have previously prevailed in similar disputes. The termination of payments to Democratic states without credible documentation of fraud follows the administration’s broader pattern of weaponizing federal resources against political opponents, as Kennedy has already moved to purge federal health institutions aligned with evidence-based policy.

The Medicaid freeze occurs alongside other administration actions cutting safety net programs. Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” slashed food assistance, eliminating SNAP benefits for 4.5 million people, including 1.5 million children, since July 2025. Arizona saw the steepest decline with over 50 percent of its SNAP recipients—more than 440,000 people—dropped from the program in less than a year, with federal officials praising the state for “leading the way” in cutting what the administration characterizes as fraud and waste.

The funding restrictions on Democratic states and cuts to federal benefits demonstrate the administration’s use of federal authority to punish political opponents while dismantling programs protecting vulnerable populations. States challenging these actions will confront an administration unwilling to substantiate its fraud accusations with evidence.



(Source: https://newrepublic.com/post/213335/rfk-jr-halts-medicaid-funds-california-minnesota-no-proof-fraud?fbclid=IwVERDUATM1z1wZG9mBWZkaWQWUK9D1WPZ3x2pxJ1C3SiLuWg7hbLUY2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR4LVWXhVRaqodn3njclczLoKR-qXpqfNGVm_vUi6RiM0qc1CaGiwX7UdnWnLQ_aem_PVQGpOuA_mTkTUCEY1xHMQ)willing to substantiate its fraud accusations with evidence.

Trump Demands NBC ABC License Revocation Over Primetime Speech

Donald Trump demanded that NBC and ABC have their broadcast licenses revoked for declining to air his Thursday night primetime address on their primary television channels, falsely characterizing the networks’ editorial decision as part of a “plot” to hide information from the public. Both networks carried the speech live on their streaming platforms (NBC News NOW and ABC News Live) and aired detailed summaries after Trump concluded, but Trump attacked them anyway for not broadcasting it on their main channels, stating that “fraud like this should mean a revocation of their licenses.” White House communications director Steven Cheung amplified the demand, calling the networks “cowards” on social media.

Trump’s attack on broadcast licenses represents an escalation of his systematic pressure on media outlets through regulatory threats. Trump has previously weaponized FCC regulatory power against late-night hosts, calling for their termination and celebrating their departures, while FCC Chair Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, has threatened broadcasters’ licenses in response to presidential complaints about coverage. Carr is currently investigating whether ABC’s talk show The View qualifies as a “bona fide news program” under equal time rules, using regulatory authority to punish editorial independence.

In the 23-minute address, Trump made unsubstantiated claims about election security, alleging without evidence that China conducted “the largest compromise of election data in history” and that American elections remain vulnerable to foreign interference. He accused unnamed national security officials of concealing information about election security while offering no documentation to support these assertions. Much of the “stolen” election data Trump referenced is publicly available for commercial purchase by political campaigns, undermining his claims of a security breach.

CNN declined to air the speech live, with anchor Kaitlan Collins stating the network would “monitor” Trump’s remarks to fact-check statements given his “well-documented history of saying blatantly false things about elections,” while Fox News broadcast the full address. Trump’s demand for license revocation targets networks that exercised editorial judgment about primetime coverage, using the presidency to punish outlets for decisions that displeased him and demonstrating contempt for the independence of broadcast journalism.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-election-fraud-address-nbc-abc-licence-b3016842.html)

Trump Revives False Claims Election Systems Compromised

President Donald Trump delivered a primetime White House address Thursday night, reviving unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 presidential election he lost was compromised by foreign interference. Trump alleged that American election systems face widespread vulnerabilities susceptible to manipulation, an assertion contradicted by extensive evidence and prior official assessments.

Documents Trump referenced during his speech, reviewed by CNN, largely describe vulnerabilities known for years and reflected in the 2021 U.S. intelligence community assessment. According to a source with direct knowledge, these materials were compiled to capture all information the government possessed on potential election interference concerns, but the intelligence community determined them either insufficiently concrete or incorporated them into minority reports rather than treating them as consequential findings.

No declassified information Trump cited supports claims that any previous election results, including the 2020 contest, were manipulated by foreign interference or domestic fraud in ways that would have altered outcomes. The intelligence community’s analysis determined that verbiage within the documents themselves did not warrant treating the concerns as having material impact on election integrity.

Trump’s revival of election-integrity doubts occurs four months before midterm elections, continuing a pattern of amplifying unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about U.S. electoral systems. His assertions conflict with findings from election officials, security experts, and his own appointed Department of Homeland Security officials, who have consistently affirmed the security and integrity of American elections.

The address reflects Trump’s ongoing effort to sow doubt about election outcomes unfavorable to him while promoting baseless narratives about systemic vulnerabilities, despite declassified records and official assessments providing no evidentiary support for claims of election manipulation affecting results.



(Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-sows-doubt-election-integrity-midterms-rcna587853)

Trump Suggests Images of Iran School Bombing Were AI

President Donald Trump suggested during a Fox News interview Tuesday that images documenting a U.S. airstrike on an Iranian school may have been artificially generated, deflecting from mounting evidence that American missiles killed at least 150 people, including approximately 120 children. When confronted with photographic evidence showing fragments consistent with U.S. Tomahawk missiles at the strike site, Trump dismissed the documentation as potentially “AI generated” without providing any basis for the claim.

Trump declined to commit to releasing the findings of his administration’s ongoing investigation into the bombing, telling Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst that “I don’t think anybody’s going to ever be able to say what happened there.” When pressed on whether he would eventually disclose the results, Trump offered only a noncommittal “I guess so” and suggested his “military people” might have undisclosed reasons to withhold findings.

Internal administration sources previously told The New York Times that officials believed the school was struck by U.S. missiles, contradicting the initial public claim that Iran was responsible. Trump has explicitly rejected negotiations to end the Iran conflict, stating he does not want to pursue diplomatic solutions while simultaneously obscuring accountability for civilian casualties.

Trump’s dismissal of physical evidence as fabricated and his refusal to guarantee transparency on a catastrophic attack killing over 100 children demonstrates his systematic obstruction of accountability for actions taken under his authority. His administration has escalated military actions against Iran, including reimposing a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while simultaneously suppressing documentation of civilian harm resulting from those operations.



(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-suggests-images-of-iran-school-bombing-were-ai-generated-doesnt-commit-to-releasing-results-of-investigation/)neously suppressing documentation of civilian harm resulting from those operations.

Trump White House Report Attacks Smithsonian History Museum

Trump administration officials released a 162-page White House report on July 4 titled “Saving America’s Story” accusing the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History of “thinly veiled anti-Americanism” and “extreme political activism.” The report alleged the museum presents America as “a fundamentally oppressive nation” since Columbus and has been captured by ideological activists, demands that contradict the institution’s scholarly mission and documented historical record.

Lonnie Bunch, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, directly rejected the White House characterization in a memo to staff, stating the report “is not a fair characterization of the work and totality of the National Museum of American History.” The Organization of American Historians, the nation’s largest group of U.S. history scholars, similarly condemned the report as executive branch overreach designed to force the Smithsonian to reshape its historical narratives to serve the administration’s political agenda.

This attack continues Trump’s broader assault on American cultural institutions. Trump issued an executive order targeting the Smithsonian with threats of federal funding cuts, demanding the elimination of exhibitions addressing racial themes under the banner of removing “divisive, race-based ideology.” His administration has dismantled slavery exhibits, restored Confederate statues, and removed references to Trump’s two impeachments and the January 6 Capitol insurrection from the National Portrait Gallery’s presidential portrait caption.

The Smithsonian, a 180-year-old institution with independent decision-making authority, receives most of its annual budget from Congress. Trump’s threat of funding cuts represents financial coercion designed to force institutional compliance with his reframing of American history, effectively weaponizing the federal government’s fiscal power to suppress historically accurate scholarship and suppress critical examination of America’s past.

Bunch confirmed the institution is reviewing the report but has not capitulated to its demands, maintaining the museum’s commitment to evidence-based historical presentation. The White House report and Trump’s escalating pressure on the Smithsonian exemplify his systematic effort to rewrite American history by suppressing documentation of slavery, racial injustice, and his own abuses of power.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/smithsonian-lonnie-bunch-white-house-antiamericanism-b3011746.html?fbclid=IwdGRjcATB0XJwZG9mA2ZkaWQWUKcWlLlueT6yqdAz9CmO8le_CVm22WV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR6F5p7mqDiBrH0yzymcruco_x2Nr78eafk7-Hx6GLViZ39GmiRC_xFlNOfgsA_aem_E7tLzyd1YREWljnSzqkRTw)

Trump Claims Strait of Hormuz Open After Iran War

President Trump claimed during a Sunday NBC News appearance that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, contradicting Iran’s assertion that it had closed the waterway. When host Kristen Welker pressed Trump on the conflicting statements following overnight U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets, Trump stated the strait was open but refused further discussion, citing a desire to honor the memory of late Senator Lindsey Graham.

Trump’s account of recent events with Iran contradicts the pattern of escalation documented by U.S. Central Command. Trump asserted that Iran had agreed to a ceasefire deal the previous day before launching a drone attack on a commercial vessel within an hour, describing Iranian officials as “sick people.” According to CENTCOM, the United States completed a third round of strikes against Iran on July 11, targeting approximately 140 Iranian military positions with precision munitions launched from fighter aircraft, drones, and naval vessels.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed Saturday that U.S. military strikes followed Iran’s attack on a Cyprus-flagged container ship, which resulted in a missing crew member and significant vessel damage. The escalation marks a third military engagement between the two nations in one week, with Trump ordering strikes after Iran violated a ceasefire agreement.

Trump’s dismissal of substantive discussion about the military conflict and the Strait of Hormuz underscores his pattern of deploying military force while avoiding detailed accountability for the consequences. His refusal to engage with Welker’s direct questions about the strategic waterway’s status and his response strategy reflects his authoritarian approach to governance, where military decisions operate outside meaningful public scrutiny or democratic oversight.



(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-claims-the-strait-of-hormuz-is-open-in-testy-retort-to-nbcs-welker/)

Trump Attacks Haberman, Swan, Demands Media Worship Him

President Trump launched a lengthy Truth Social attack against journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, authors of the book “Regime Change,” which documents his second administration. Trump called Haberman “one of the most unattractive people in the News Business” and Swan a “lightweight assistant,” demanding media outlets instead declare him the “BEST POLITICAL ATHLETE OF ALL TIME” and cease critical coverage. The attack reflects Trump’s pattern of weaponizing his platform against journalists documenting his presidency.

In his post, Trump falsely claimed he won the 2024 election by a “historic landslide” against both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, citing county and Electoral College numbers while attacking the “Failing New York Times” and other outlets for their coverage. He demanded media outlets acknowledge his electoral victory and abandon what he characterized as a decade of inaccurate reporting, stating they should concede defeat rather than continue scrutinizing his administration. Trump’s claims about election outcomes contradict documented results and reflect his documented pattern of denying electoral losses.

Trump extended his assault to multiple news organizations, including CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, and NBC, characterizing them collectively as “FAKE NEWS” with no credibility. He claimed these outlets’ “Readership, Ratings, and Viewership are tanking” because the public recognizes their alleged dishonesty, and he demanded they stop publishing what he termed “inaccurate, false articles.” This attack on press freedom aligns with his documented pattern of demanding treason charges against media outlets for unfavorable coverage.

The tirade reveals Trump’s authoritarian demand for uncritical media coverage and absolute loyalty from institutions meant to maintain independence. His insistence that journalists declare him victorious and cease reporting reflects an expectation of state-controlled media rather than a free press operating in a democracy. This pattern mirrors his cultivation of unquestioning loyalty from close aides, extending the demand for total deference to the media landscape.



(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-slams-lightweight-jonathan-swan-as-he-declares-himself-best-political-athlete-of-all-time/)

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