Trump’s ‘enemies list’ grows to include celebrities and politicians
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Trump’s ‘enemies list’ of celebrities and politicians he is targeting and what could happen to them
President Donald Trump has amassed a growing ‘enemies list’ of targets for investigation. Many have criticized Trump publicly or backed his political opponents. Some have issued comments Trump’s defenders consider vicious threats. All could have to brace for government probes, unless it turns out the president was merely trying to get a rise out of them through his online threats. Trump continues to re-litigate the 2024 election, which he won, even as he continues to rail against the 2020 election. The White House denied the existence of an enemies list, saying ‘there is no enemies list – the President is holding corrupt institutions and public officials accountable to the American people,’ said White House spokesman Taylor Rogers. Trump has brought back some of his political nemeses from his first term at the start of his second, railing against Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and former FBI Director James Comey. The former lawman denied the image had anything to do with a physical threat against the president, calling it ‘totally innocent’ But he was questioned by members of the U.S. Secret Service.
Many have criticized Trump publicly or backed his political opponents. Some have issued comments Trump’s defenders consider vicious threats. All could have to brace for government probes, unless it turns out the president was merely trying to get a rise out of them through his online threats.
Trump continues to re-litigate the 2024 election, which he won, even as he continues to rail against the 2020 election, which he didn’t.
‘How much did Kamala Harris pay Bruce Springsteen for his poor performance during her campaign for president,’ Trump wrote. ‘Why did he accept that money if he is such a fan of hers? Isn’t that a major and illegal campaign contribution? What about Beyonce? And how much went to Oprah, and Bono???’
‘I am going to call for a major investigation into this matter. Candidates aren’t allowed to pay for ENDORSEMENTS, which is what Kamala did, under the guise of paying for entertainment,’ Trump said.
Trump’s hit on the Boss came after Springsteen, during a concert in Manchester, England branded him ‘corrupt, incompetent and treasonous.’ Springsteen has for years lent his Jersey-twanged voice to Democrats, including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Celebs including Oprah Winfrey have knocked down Trump’s accusation, which he offered without providing evidence.
Singer Bruce Springsteen is on the long list of political ‘enemies’ Trump has publicly gone after since taking office
A statement from Winfrey said she didn’t get any ‘personal fee’ after disclosure reports revealed hefty production fees.
‘However, the people who worked on that production needed to be paid. And were. End of story,’ she wrote on Instagram.
Prior to Trump’s insinuation against Springsteen and Winfrey, he tore into Taylor Swift.
‘Has anyone noticed that, since I said ‘I hate Taylor Swift,’ she’s no longer HOT?’ Trump asked online.
Trump has brought back some of his political nemeses from his first term at the start of his second, railing against Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and former FBI Director James Comey.
Trump’s allies pounced after Comey posted a photograph of shells on beach sand spelling out ’86 47.’
The former lawman denied the image had anything to do with a physical threat against the president, calling it ‘totally innocent.’ But he was questioned by members of the U.S. Secret Service.
In early May, Trump called New York AG Letitia James a ‘horrible, horrible human being’ as well as a ‘total crook’ and a ‘sick person.’
Trump has accused Oprah Winfrey of making an ‘illegal’ campaign contribution to former VP Kamala Harris. A statement from Winfrey said she didn’t get any ‘personal fee’ after disclosure reports revealed hefty production costs
Trump promised retribution during a gain where he raged against prosecutors and the four criminal cases against him
In early May, Trump called New York AG Letitia James a ‘horrible, horrible human being’ as well as a ‘total crook’ and a ‘sick person.’ He said he would leave it up to AG Pam Bondi how to handle a referral from Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte that accused her of mortgage fraud
Trump executive orders have targeted law firms associated with Robert Mueller (center) and his deputies. The Secret Service interviewed James Comey (R), the former FBI Director who posted an image of shells that spelled out ’86 47′
Trump spoke of ‘retribution’ during his reelection campaign. Now many of his political enemies find themselves under pressure
But he made clear it was entirely up to Attorney General Pam Bondi how to handle an April referral against her by Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte that accused her of mortgage fraud.
‘Pam’s gonna have to do what she wants,’ said Trump, adding that ‘we don’t discuss anything pending or not within my office.’
The White House denied the existence of an ‘enemies list.’
‘There is no enemies list – the President is holding corrupt institutions and public officials accountable to the American people,’ said White House spokesman Taylor Rogers when asked for comment.
‘President Trump’s only retribution is success and historic achievements for the American people,’ he said in a statement.
Trump’s comments about James, who led the prosecution of Trump’s New York fraud case, are just one of the times when he unloaded on a potential subject of an investigation, even if he stopped short of calling for one.
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division sent a letter to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announcing it had opened a ‘pattern and practice’ investigation of whether he illegally made hiring decisions ‘solely on the basis of race.’
Johnson has called Trump a ‘monster’ and in response blasted ‘the tyranny that’s coming from the federal government.’
In April he accused Trump of engaging in ‘terrorism’ after the president threatened to yank $3.5 billion in funds from the city over its policy of sanctuary cities.
The FBI, meanwhile, has decided to reopen or ‘push’ cases where Trump has expressed an interest.
One involves the Supreme Court leak of the Dobbs abortion decision, something Trump has speculated was done by liberals.
It is also looking at who left a bag of cocaine at the White House back in 2023. Trump has publicly speculated it was ‘either Joe or Hunter,’ in references to the Bidens, without offering evidence.
‘Could be Joe, too,’ Trump added.
A third probe will look at the unsolved case of who left pipe bombs outside the DNC and RNC party committees on January 6. Trump has long stoked conspiracies that Antifa was behind the Capitol riot, when a mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol.
Trump also signed executive orders directing the DOJ to investigate former Homeland Security official Miles Taylor, who anonymously penned a critical op-ed during his first term, and former cybersecurity official Christopher Krebs, who vouched for the security of the 2020 election.
‘I think he’s guilty of treason, if you want to know the truth. But we will find out,’ Trump said of Taylor, who also penned a book called A Warning.
Other Trump adversaries are getting heat from agencies or facing pressure not from law enforcement, but from government agencies.
The U.S. General Services Administration directed federal agencies to scour the books for contracts with Harvard University, with more than $2 billion worth cancelled. Trump has repeatedly attacked Harvard and accused it of antisemitism.
The president has also inked multiple executive orders targeting top law firms – prompting court fights.
Potentially weakening the government’s position is language contained within the orders themselves specifically mentioning Trump adversaries.
A federal judge who struck down the order targeting Jenner & Block as violating free speech said it ‘seeks to chill legal representation the administration doesn’t like,’ according to U.S. District Judge John D. Bates, a George W. Bush appointee.
The order noted that Andrew Weissmann, a top Robert Mueller aide during the Russia probe, worked for the firm (he left in 2021).
Weissmann played a role in the investigation of his links to Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign and has been a frequent critic on TV.
The order accused Weissmann of ‘dishonesty, and said the firm ‘was “thrilled” to re-hire the unethical Andrew Weissmann after his time engaging in partisan prosecution as part of Robert Mueller’s entirely unjustified investigation. Andrew Weissmann’s career has been rooted in weaponized government and abuse of power.’
A separate order targeted Wilmer Hale, a firm long associated with Mueller himself.
Richard Leon of the Federal District Court ruled against Trump on the matter Tuesday, calling an ‘independent bar’ the ‘cornerstone of the American system of justice.’
In his annual Memorial Day message, Trump tore into ‘the scum that spent the last four years trying to destroy our country through warped radical left minds’, indicating that he is still seething over his criminal prosecutions.
But he also made room for ‘good and compassionate judges throughout the land’ who he said ‘will save us from the decision of the monsters who want our country to go to hell.’
Trump has hasn’t been shy about public threats to go after those who have crossed him politically.
Last week he blasted California Gov. Gavin Newsom – Trump called him ‘Newscum’ – and threatened that ‘large scale federal funding will be held back’ from California over its policy toward transgender athletes.
During the campaign Trump called Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi the ‘enemy from within.’
Although his administration hasn’t gone after Pelosi personally, early DOGE actions took aim at the Presidio in San Francisco and the Health and Human Services Department announced the closure of a regional office in the Nancy Pelosi Federal Building.
Trump has repeatedly accused former Joe Biden aides of running the country and directing use of his autopen on pardons and legislation. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has said his panel will investigate.
‘I’m oftentimes very anxious myself about using my voice, because retaliation is real,’ Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska told constituents in April.