Donald Trump-related activity tracking.
2026
Feb21
The White House has confirmed that President Trump is re-emphasizing and continuing the policy to suspend the 'de minimis' tax exemption for low-value goods. This policy, which was announced on February 1st, removes the tax-free threshold for imported goods valued under $800. The administration justifies the move as a way to close a "tax evasion loophole" and prevent the inflow of illegal drugs. The new tax system will apply either an ad valorem tax or a specific duty ranging from $80 to $200 per package. The policy was fast-tracked via an executive order, citing national security.
U.S. President Trump has signed a proclamation imposing a temporary 10% import tax on all goods for 150 days, effective February 24. This action, based on the Trade Act of 1974, is intended to replace a previous tariff regime that was recently rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court. The move follows the president's claims that tariffs have significantly reduced the U.S. trade deficit.
Feb20
President Trump signed an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to boost domestic production of glyphosate and elemental phosphorus, citing national security and food supply needs [ref:33][ref:34]. This move has triggered a backlash from "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) activists, who view the chemical as a health hazard and the order as a betrayal [ref:1][ref:32]. The decision follows Bayer's proposed $7.25 billion settlement over cancer lawsuits related to glyphosate, and activists are now petitioning for the order to be rescinded [ref:1].
On February 21, 2026, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he "saved Intel" early in his administration, reiterating his focus on domestic semiconductor manufacturing. This follows government actions including acquiring a 10% equity stake in Intel and pledging nearly $9 billion in funding as part of an "America First" policy. Despite this support and a subsequent stock surge, Intel's foundry business reported a $2.5 billion loss in Q4 2025 and has yet to secure an external customer, facing a critical window to win major orders by 2026-2027. While some customers like Nvidia plan to shift partial production to Intel by 2028, analysts remain cautious, with some valuation models suggesting the stock is overvalued.
Amid ongoing economic challenges and trade tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated he is considering using existing trade laws as potential remedies. He specifically referenced the Trade Expansion Act and the Trade Act of 1974, highlighting Sections 232, 122, 201, and 301 as viable options for action. This strategy aims to address what he terms "unfair and unbalanced trade" and reduce the trade deficit, a goal he claims has already seen success through tariffs. However, this approach has previously faced legal challenges and created chaotic, unpredictable conditions for businesses.
Following the Supreme Court's rejection of his tariffs, Donald Trump criticized the ruling for not addressing the issue of tariff refunds . He stated that he expects the matter to be tied up in court for the next two years and declined to confirm if the government would issue refunds . Concurrently, Trump has mentioned the possibility of imposing a universal 10% tariff in trade agreements . The market reacted with volatility to the Supreme Court's decision .
President Trump stated that on the subject of tariffs, "this problem no longer exists" . He clarified that tariffs will "remain as they are," and that the US will be able to generate more revenue from them . This follows his recent claim that tariffs have reduced the U.S. trade deficit by 78% . He also commented that global tariffs are generally higher than those charged by the U.S. . Following his remarks, emerging market currencies strengthened, with the Brazilian Real hitting a session high .
President Trump stated he is acting in a 'different, powerful way'. This follows a series of recent actions and statements, including considering 'powerful options' against Iran involving military posturing and harsh warnings about its nuclear program. This approach is seen as a negotiation tactic of using military threats to force concessions at a low cost. Other recent activities include announcing a $5 billion reconstruction pledge for Gaza, preemptively commenting on weak GDP data, and endorsing a major media acquisition to combat 'Fake News'.
Donald Trump has publicly expressed dissatisfaction after some Republican lawmakers voted against a rule that would have expanded the executive branch's authority over tariffs. On social media, he stressed the importance of trade policy for national security and demanded party unity. This followed his admission that a decision to impose tariffs on Switzerland was based on his personal annoyance during a phone call. The lawmakers who opposed the rule argued that Congress should retain its authority on tariff matters and not cede it entirely to the executive branch.
Trump has threatened to impose a 15% to 30% tariff on automobiles. This follows a recent meeting he had with auto workers in late January and a move last month to increase tariffs on South Korean cars from 15% to 25% due to a dispute over a trade agreement. Trump has previously claimed that his tariff policies have successfully reduced the U.S. trade deficit.
Donald Trump stated there is no need to request additional action from Congress, adding that his administration would be able to generate more revenue without question . This follows recent legislative efforts, including a push for a crypto market bill and a contentious House vote on limiting the president's military authority . It also comes as Senate Democrats have called for an investigation into a foreign investment in the Trump family's crypto venture . Previously, Trump has both sought congressional action on proposals like a credit card rate cap and acted unilaterally, creating tension with the legislature .
President Trump announced that, effective immediately, all Section 232 tariffs will remain unchanged. He also stated that both Section 232 and 301 tariffs are still in effect and claimed a president has the authority to impose even higher tariffs. This policy is framed against a backdrop of using Section 232 to address national security threats from import reliance, particularly on critical minerals, and aims to encourage supply chain diversification.
Donald Trump stated he can use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for anything, but acknowledged he cannot use it to charge fees . This statement comes amid legal challenges to his administration's use of IEEPA to impose tariffs, with a U.S. court having previously ruled such actions illegal . Legal analyses confirm that the IEEPA text does not explicitly grant authority for levying tariffs , and the Supreme Court is expected to weigh in on related matters .
Following a statement that he has the right to issue licenses but cannot charge fees , reports indicate this is linked to recent, unprecedented trademark filings by the Trump Organization. The company is seeking rights to use the president's name on airports, claiming it is for protection against infringement and that no fees would be charged . This follows past suggestions by Trump that he might rebrand tariffs as "licensing fees" if the Supreme Court were to rule against his tariff powers, a move that drew criticism for potentially undermining international law .
Donald Trump stated, "We can now accept more funds." This follows a history of raising record funds, particularly from the crypto and AI sectors, which often coincided with favorable policy outcomes like eased regulatory scrutiny. Trump and his family have been vocal supporters of cryptocurrency, with his son Eric predicting Bitcoin could reach $1 million. This fundraising approach mirrors his transactional stance on other financial matters, such as leveraging U.S. funding to the UN to influence its policies.
Donald Trump stated that "certain members lack the courage to do the right thing." This follows a series of recent criticisms targeting a wide range of individuals and groups, including political figures like Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Maryland Governor Wes Moore, European allies, media personalities like Bill Maher, and cultural institutions such as the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Super Bowl halftime show. The criticisms serve to reinforce his political base and challenge anyone perceived as disloyal or inefficient, from fellow Republicans labeled 'RINOs' to international bodies. Despite criticizing some for poor performance, reports suggest he is now more reluctant to fire cabinet officials than in his first term.
On February 18, President Trump signed an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to boost domestic production of glyphosate and elemental phosphorus, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign imports like those from China for national security and food supply. The move has sparked controversy and backlash from some of his own MAHA supporters and allies of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who cite health concerns and warn of potential negative impacts on the upcoming midterm elections.
President Trump is scheduled to hold a press conference at 12:45 PM ET following a Supreme Court ruling that rejected the majority of the global tariff policies he implemented during his second term. The ruling is considered a significant blow to his signature economic policy.
According to the prediction platform Kalshi, the market-implied probability of a court ordering a refund of Trump-era tariffs before July 2026 has surged to 66%, a substantial increase from a previous estimate of around 30%. This follows earlier reports from this week where prediction markets indicated the probability of the Supreme Court upholding the tariffs had dropped to as low as 25%.
Donald Trump announced he will provide $10 million to assist the town of East Palestine, Ohio. The announcement comes amid various other Trump-linked financial activities, including significant political fundraising, crypto-related projects like sponsoring 'Trump Accounts' for newborns, and the struggles of Trump Media (DJT) stock.
