Power Grab/Point the law at critics
Trump calls the nonprofit suing over his ballroom “TREASONISTS” and says it revealed “Top Military Secrets”
— Trump brands the nonprofit suing over his ballroom 'TREASONISTS'.
On August 14, 2026, hours after his administration asked the Supreme Court to lift an injunction on ballroom construction, Trump attacked the National Trust for Historic Preservation on Truth Social.
What happened
Late on Friday, August 14, 2026, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the National Trust for Historic Preservation were “the TREASONISTS that brought the suit against the Military Complex.” He said the group had “revealed Top Military Secrets” and was “very bad for our Country.” The post came hours after his administration asked the Supreme Court for relief.
The administration had asked the Supreme Court to lift an injunction on above-ground ballroom construction. The D.C. Circuit had upheld that injunction, finding that Congress, not the president, controls substantial changes to the White House. The National Trust brought the suit.
Trump claimed the group had been “asked by the United States Military not to bring this suit.” He also attacked a board member who walks near the site as a “serial plaintiff” with no standing. The record gives no source for the claim about the military’s request.
Who benefited
Trump gained a public accusation of treason against a litigant, posted the day his lawyers asked the Supreme Court to lift the injunction. The post is not a legal filing and carries no court’s findings. It names a nonprofit and one of its board members to his audience on Truth Social.
Who wanted something
Trump wanted the injunction on above-ground ballroom construction lifted. His administration asked the Supreme Court to do that on the same day. The post recasts a dispute over who controls changes to the White House as a matter of military secrets and loyalty to the country.
Who lost out
The National Trust for Historic Preservation and a board member who walks near the site were called traitors and a “serial plaintiff” by the President. The Trust is the party that won the injunction in the D.C. Circuit. No charge, investigation or penalty against the group was reported.
Why it matters
The President called a plaintiff that won in the D.C. Circuit “TREASONISTS” the day his administration asked the Supreme Court to undo that win. The appeals court found that Congress controls substantial changes to the White House. The record shows a threat and a label, not an action against the group.
Sources Truth Social (archived at Trump's Truth) (primary)The HillNewsweekForbes
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