Donald Trump is the 45th and 47th president of the United States. Before entering national politics, he worked in real estate development and entertainment.
DI has documented statements by Donald Trump on 2026 Midterm Elections, Antisemitism, and Artificial Intelligence, among other topics. Read the quotations, original sources and related cases below.
Role at the time: President of the United States, in a Truth Social post
Defended or excused
Statement summary
After CNN, MS NOW and Politico sued over the exclusion, Trump posted on Truth Social that the case had been assigned to Judge Timothy Kelly, called him "sadly" a Trump appointee, and said outlets that write negatively and violate national security with unnamed sources shouldn't be allowed access to the Oval Office. He said the White House would appeal regardless of the ruling. Separately that week, off social media, he called the judge "not a particularly fair judge."
“As usual, we'll go for appeal because Fake News people and publications that only write negatively, and who violate our National Security by writing false and defamatory stories with unknown 'sources,' shouldn't be allowed access to the most important Office anywhere in the World.”
Open source (opens in a new tab)The Western Journal: Judge orders White House to restore CNN, MS NOW, Politico accessParagraphs quoting Trump's Truth Social post and his 'not a particularly fair judge' remark
Why we used this label
Relative to Trump's decision to exclude CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House access because of their coverage, he argues outlets that write negatively shouldn't have access to the Oval Office. That defends continuing the exclusion, so we labeled it Defended or excused.
Role at the time: President of the United States, posting on Truth Social
Defended or excused
Statement summary
In a Truth Social post on the morning of September 21, Trump wrote that the White House is “not instituting an assault on the Free Press” but on “the FAKE NEWS,” which he called “corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and totally out of control” and “a threat to our National Security” that “must be stopped, NOW!” The Hill reports the post followed CNN, MS NOW and Politico's announcement that they would sue over the ban.
“The White House is not instituting an assault on the Free Press, something which I cherish. It is instituting an assault on the FAKE NEWS, something that has grown like Cancer in our beloved United States of America. It is corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and totally out of control. It is a threat to our National Security, and must be stopped, NOW! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Read the original text (opens in a new tab)Donald Trump Truth Social post denying an “assault on the Free Press” (September 21, 2026) · Donald TrumpFull post (Truth Social status ID 117308890736529824), posted September 21, 2026 at 7:53 AM by the archive's clock
Why we used this label
On Trump’s decision to exclude CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House access because of their coverage, Trump rejects the description of the ban as an assault on the free press but says the White House is instituting an assault on what he calls fake news, which he says “must be stopped, NOW!” The post does not name the ban or the three outlets; it is recorded here because The Hill reports it as his response to their announced lawsuit. It endorses acting against the outlets rather than only disputing a label, so the closest competing label, “Challenged the characterization”, does not fit.
Trump said he would create an AI Force and appoint an AI Czar while rejecting what he described as hindering or stifling AI growth and relying on existing laws for harmful conduct.
The post rejects a policy approach that Trump says would hinder artificial intelligence, while also naming enforcement through existing law and new administration roles. It does not cleanly support or oppose every stronger safeguard.
Role at the time: President of the United States, answering a reporter’s question in the Oval Office
Condemned
Statement summary
Asked in the Oval Office about the condemnations of Piker by leading Democrats and whether he considered Piker a liability to the party, Trump said he did, called him a communist, and said Piker’s statements were “so bad” that he could not understand Jewish voters supporting Democrats.
“I do. I think he’s a terrible liability. I think he’s got a power over some of these Democrats and he will vote that way. He’s a communist. There’s no question about it.”
Watch the original video (opens in a new tab)Oval Office remarks: Trump asked about Hasan Piker (Fox News broadcast capture)Approx. 1:11–1:12 into the recording; closed-caption text of the Oval Office pool exchange.
Why we used this label
On Piker’s claims in the Axios Show interview, Trump condemns him, and does so in answer to a question expressly premised on the condemnations those claims produced. He goes on to say “his statements are so bad” before drawing a conclusion about Jewish voters, which is an evaluation of the statements rather than only of the speaker. The limitation should be read with it: Trump does not address the al-Qaeda comparison, the Iran answer or the China remarks by name, and the bulk of his reply concerns Piker’s influence within the Democratic Party rather than the truth of anything he said. It is recorded as a condemnation of the speaker and his statements in this dispute, not as a response to any particular claim.
Role at the time: President of the United States, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office
Defended or excused
Response to this claim
Kremlev funding a wedding-related celebration for Donald Trump Jr. is an ordinary, permissible gift, comparable to wedding gifts other people receive, and Kremlev has since been repaid.
“It's totally allowed. And a lot of people have parties and all.
But, as I understand it, he paid them back.
I hear he paid them back.
That's very common.
I've given wedding parties to numerous people.”
Open source (opens in a new tab)Trump says his son’s wedding party being bankrolled by a Russian oligarch is ‘totally allowed’ (AP) · Associated PressOpening paragraphs, quoting Trump's Oval Office remarks
Why we used this label
Relative to whether Donald Trump Jr.'s acceptance of a Kremlev-funded wedding celebration was improper, Trump now expressly defends the arrangement as permissible ("totally allowed") and normalizes it by comparing it to his own practice of giving wedding parties, rather than disputing that it happened or downplaying it as in his September 14 statement. It supersedes that statement because it is Trump's own account of the same episode, now accepting and defending facts (Kremlev's identity and involvement) that his earlier statement disputed.
Role at the time: President of the United States, in a post on his Truth Social account, cross-posted to his X account
Defended or excused
Statement summary
In a Truth Social post announcing an agreement with Denmark and Greenland, President Donald Trump said it gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, at no cost to the United States. He wrote that the United States will forever have the complete ability to do what is necessary there to secure and defend Greenland and the United States. The text of the agreement has not been published, so this record documents his description of it, not its provisions.
“I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns. There will be NO COST to the United States! At my direction, we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to guarantee that the United States will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend the security of Greenland, and the United States of America.”
Read the original text (opens in a new tab)Donald Trump's Truth Social post announcing an agreement with Denmark and Greenland · Donald TrumpTruth Social post ID 117294126158197822, posted 5:18 PM EDT on 2026-09-18; first three sentences after the opening words 'BREAKING NEWS:'.
Why we used this label
In the quoted passage Trump states that description himself, says the United States will forever have the complete ability to do what is necessary there, and presents the agreement as a completed result at no cost to the United States, which affirms and endorses the deal as he characterizes it. The closest competing label is “Mixed or conditional”, because the full post also says the United States will work with the people of Greenland and calls the solution good for Denmark, Greenland and allies. That loses because those lines add to the endorsement instead of qualifying it, and the post states no condition or reservation.
Role at the time: President of the United States, answering reporters' questions in the Oval Office during a healthcare announcement
Defended or excused
Statement summary
A reporter asked Trump in the Oval Office about Kennedy Center demolition. Trump called for recognition for his administration. Read the exchange in the video and transcript.
“I don't mind doing the job, but if I do the job, I think the Trump administration, including Bobby, but the Trump administration should be recognized. Why should I raise and put up and do all of this work?”
Watch the original video (opens in a new tab)President Trump Makes an Announcement on Healthcare, Sep. 18, 2026 · The White HouseReporter's question about 47:47-47:57; Trump's answer about 47:57-52:09; quoted passage about 49:36-49:51 (audio transcribed by us)
Why we used this label
Asked “have you looked at any plans to demolish the Kennedy Center?”, Trump did not directly answer; he said that if he does the job the Trump administration “should be recognized” and asked “Why should I raise and put up and do all of this work?”, restating and justifying the recognition demand. The closest competing label is “Explicitly stayed out”, because AP reports that he “did not directly respond” to the question. That loses because this label records his stance toward the recognition position, which he addressed directly and repeatedly in the same answer, and the recording shows no refusal to discuss it.
Role at the time: President of the United States, answering reporters' questions at an Oval Office event on health care
Defended or excused
Statement summary
Asked what the exclusion means in practice, and whether it covers press badges, the press pool or the Oval Office, Trump said he does not want the outlets in his office or at the White House, that the ban would go "as far as you can", and that he would love it if they could straighten themselves out.
“A very simple ban. I don't want them in my office. I don't want them here. I would say the ban would go as far as you can, and if they could straighten themselves out, you know, if they could straighten themselves out, I'd love it.”
Watch the original video (opens in a new tab)President Trump Makes an Announcement on Healthcare, Sep. 18, 2026 · The White House53:15-55:43 of the White House video (quoted answer at 53:47-53:59)
Why we used this label
Trump restates and defines the act in his own terms, saying he does not want the outlets in his office or at the White House. The closest competing label is “Mixed or conditional”, because he says he would "love it" if the outlets straightened themselves out. That loses because the remark describes when he might relent, not a reservation about the exclusion he is defending.
The White House says waiving the Graham Act's Russia measures preserves room for peace negotiations. Lawmakers from both parties and Volodymyr Zelenskyy say relief weakens pressure on Russia. Thomas Massie welcomes Trump's use of the authority Congress granted.
Musk says Washington controls Starshield limits. Dixon argues SpaceX still bears responsibility. Ukrainian officials and U.S. lawmakers criticize the October restrictions and seek answers about who authorized them.
Two groups asked the Office of Special Counsel to investigate whether Brendan Carr, Doug Burgum and Howard Lutnick violated the Hatch Act by discussing their agencies' work at an October 13 rally for Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska.
A watchdog seeks a California bar investigation into Katie Zacharia's public lawyer claims and work for Fix California. Zacharia defends her credentials. The complaint asks regulators to investigate; it does not establish a violation.
Omar calls the search of her home an attempt to target political enemies. The Justice Department says agents executed a judicially authorized warrant in an ongoing criminal investigation. A watchdog group asked the Office of Special Counsel to examine the timing under the Hatch Act.
After Trump announced an energy truce, Ukraine resumed strikes on Russian refineries, saying Moscow ignored it. Steve Cortes said Zelenskyy appears intent on raising U.S. fuel prices to help Democrats; Rep. Don Bacon called Cortes a Putin stooge.
Trump told reporters on October 10 that it was time for Ukraine to get a new president, saying Zelenskyy could have settled the war many times. Kyiv's foreign minister said Ukrainians will decide; Elon Musk and the Kremlin's spokesman sided with Trump.
Trump said Russia would supply millions of tons of diesel after a call with Putin, and Treasury authorized Russian diesel imports until April 2027. Zelenskyy and lawmakers in both parties objected.
The Park Service cut about 430 trees at East Potomac Golf Course after a late Friday notice. Judge Ana Reyes barred further removal and refused a government request that she step aside. Trump attacked the judge and said work would begin.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised Navi Pillay's work for international justice. UN Watch condemned the award, alleging that her record on Israel and antisemitism disqualified her.
Pete Hegseth confirms plans to livestream Nidal Hasan's execution. Betty McCollum calls for stopping the public spectacle, while Alyssa Farah Griffin opposes the broadcast despite supporting capital punishment.
An ICE officer shot a man in a car in Marble Hill on October 8. DHS calls it a targeted arrest and had not said by October 9 why the officer fired. Mamdani says early reports indicate agents surrounded the man and child before firing.
