Donald Trump is the focus of more investigations, political brinksmanship, and court actions as the special counsel probes deepen. Since then, the former president has been in the news for his audacity at every other turn. He ended NIH grants and fired a major NIH chief of biostatistics. It is against this backdrop that Trump finds himself under siege. He insists that the U.S. economy and job numbers are being artificially manipulated to hurt him and the Republican Party.
Just the other day though, Trump went public with his advice to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. He nicknamed Diddy as “half-casual, more challenging” for the excuse beforehand critique. This statement complements the many layers to Trump’s interesting and often contradictory connections to public figures as he continues his pursuit of the White House.
NIH Grants Termination and Economic Claims
Between January and July of this year, Trump canceled 1,902 NIH grants, worth over $4.4 billion dollars. This decision is hurting health advocates and researchers who depend on this federal funding to conduct important projects. The broader impacts of these terminations are still in progress. What the scientific community is most concerned about is their effects on research currently underway.
Recently, Trump has been touting assertions that the U.S. economy is “BOOMING” under his watch. This sharply contradicts his own actions on NIH funding. He stated that job numbers were “RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad,” ignoring the statistical trends reported by economists. Despite the evidence, his administration now continues to claim that inflation is “under control.” That job creation is through the roof, despite the fact that experts don’t buy it.
“RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad” – Donald Trump
Firing of Erika McEntarfer Sparks Republican Outrage
Trump’s recent decision to fire Erika McEntarfer, who was confirmed in her role during President Joe Biden’s administration in January 2024, has drawn criticism from senior Republican lawmakers. Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul condemned the move, arguing that it damages the credibility of statistical reporting within the government.
Lummis stated, “It’s not the statistician’s fault if the numbers are accurate and that they’re not what the president had hoped for.” This dismissal of a key government official raises questions about Trump’s commitment to data integrity and the implications for federal agencies tasked with reporting economic statistics.
Ongoing Investigations and Legal Troubles
Trump is facing a handful of investigations, all of them criminal in nature. These range from violations of the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in certain political activities while in office. This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. It would have drastic consequences for Trump’s political future.
Additionally, special counsel Jack Smith is currently pursuing vigorous investigations into Trump’s behavior surrounding the January 6th Capitol insurrection. He is furthermore looking into the reported improper retention of classified materials. Trump faced two criminal indictments in 2023, but stepped down before either reached the starting gate of a trial. He has recently come under fire from Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton for his purported role in inciting the 2024 election.
Like almost everything else as the trial approaches, Trump’s ongoing, often poisonous relationship with former friends turned foes continues to develop. Tulsi Gabbard, director of U.S. national intelligence, expressed hope for uncovering evidence related to alleged conspiracies against Trump by Barack Obama’s national security team. A newly declassified annex from special counsel John Durham seems to cut against Gabbard’s argument.