During a Friday signing of an executive order to organize an IndyCar street race in Washington, D.C., as part of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations, President Donald Trump was asked by an ABC News reporter why he was suing his own administration and the IRS. Trump responded by challenging the reporter, saying, “You’re a loud person. Let somebody else have a chance. ABC Fake news. I didn’t call on you.”

Reporter: Why are you suing your own administration and the IRS?

Trump: Who are you with?

Reporter: ABC News

Trump: You’re a loud person. Let somebody else have a chance. ABC Fake news. I didn’t call on you. pic.twitter.com/ce3G1dwkIO

— Acyn (@Acyn) January 30, 2026

The question referred to a lawsuit filed the day before in federal court in Florida. Trump, along with his sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, and the Trump Organization, sued the IRS and Treasury Department for at least $10 billion. The suit accuses the agencies of failing to protect confidential tax information that was leaked during Trump’s first term by Charles Littlejohn, a former IRS contractor. Littlejohn illegally obtained and disclosed tax returns belonging to Trump, the Trump Organization, and thousands of other wealthy individuals to outlets including The New York Times and ProPublica. He was sentenced in 2024 to five years in prison for the unauthorized disclosures. The lawsuit claims the IRS bears responsibility due to security failures and Littlejohn’s access to sensitive data. Earlier this week, the Treasury Department terminated $21 million in contracts with Littlejohn’s former employer, Booz Allen Hamilton, citing inadequate safeguards for taxpayer information.

Trump moved on to another reporter who asked about upcoming talks between Russia and Ukraine, and whether they could succeed without U.S. Envoy Wikov and Jared Kushner involved. Trump replied that he believed the talks stood a chance. He said his administration had ended eight wars, some expected to be more difficult than the current situation. He described the animosity between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin as a major obstacle but expressed optimism about reaching a settlement soon. Trump cited heavy casualties, noting that hundreds of thousands had been killed, mostly soldiers, with 29,000 lost last week and 27,000 the month before, drawing a comparison to the attention given to a single race car driver’s death.

Another reporter inquired about the nomination for Wars—likely a reference to a key administration position—and the strategy to overcome opposition from Senator Tillis, who had indicated he would block the process. Trump said such obstructionist thinking explained why Tillis would no longer be a senator. He expressed that he had liked Tillis but criticized some of his past actions as unwise. If approval did not come, Trump said the administration would wait for someone willing to approve it, noting he had faced many obstructionists while achieving what he described as perhaps the best presidency ever.

On a follow-up about Iran, a reporter asked if, absent a deal, Trump’s plan would mirror recent actions in Venezuela. Trump declined to discuss military specifics but emphasized the presence of a powerful U.S. fleet in the region, including the world’s most powerful ships and military. He credited his first term with rebuilding the U.S. military and said efforts were underway to make it bigger, better, and stronger. Trump mentioned plans to add battleships, describing them as old-fashioned yet beautiful, each 100 times more powerful than those from the 1940s due to advanced capabilities. He said the Navy would build 10 initially, assess them, and potentially add another 15 for a total of up to 25. He stressed reluctance to use them but readiness if necessary.

The executive order on the IndyCar race aligns with broader efforts to commemorate America’s milestone anniversary through high-profile events showcasing national pride and achievement. The race announcement came amid ongoing foreign policy discussions and domestic legal actions that continue to draw attention to Trump’s second term priorities.