Debunked: Trump’s Alleged ‘Congressional Reform Act of 2025’ Revealed as Recycled Internet Hoax

A series of viral social media posts claiming that President Donald Trump has asked supporters to share a “Congressional Reform Act of 2025” has been identified as false. The posts, which have circulated widely on Facebook in recent weeks, present a list of supposed reforms that would drastically change congressional benefits and compensation.

The viral message typically begins with a statement claiming the information was “taken from Fox News” and that Trump is asking everyone to share it. It then outlines seven proposed changes dubbed “The TRUMP Rules,” which include eliminating congressional pensions, forcing lawmakers to participate in Social Security and Medicare, preventing self-approved pay raises, and ending alleged insider trading privileges.

However, an investigation has found no evidence that Trump has proposed or endorsed such a measure. No mention of a “Congressional Reform Act of 2025” appears on the White House website, in Fox News reporting, or in congressional legislative records for the 2025-2026 session.

This false claim represents the latest iteration of a long-running internet hoax. Similar versions have circulated since at least 2009, when the same basic proposals were labeled “The 28th Amendment” and falsely attributed to Warren Buffett. During Trump’s first term, an almost identical message circulated as the “Congressional Reform Act of 2017.”

The viral content exemplifies what internet researchers call “copypasta” – text that is repeatedly copied and pasted across social platforms with slight modifications to appear current and relevant.

Beyond being falsely attributed to Trump, the proposed “reforms” present a misleading picture of congressional benefits and regulations. Many of the suggested changes would actually be redundant, as several of these systems are already in place.

For instance, members of Congress have been required to pay into Social Security since 1984 and are eligible for benefits just like other Americans. They also contribute to the Federal Employees’ Retirement System like other government workers.

While Congress members do receive pensions after meeting certain service requirements, the system is not as generous as often portrayed. Pension amounts depend on length of service and are capped at 80% of final salary.

Regarding healthcare, lawmakers were required to give up their previous federal employee health benefits when the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010. They must purchase health insurance through DC Health Link, a program established under the ACA, and they pay into Medicare like other citizens.

The claim about insider trading is particularly misleading. The STOCK Act of 2012 explicitly prohibits members of Congress from trading on non-public information gained through their official duties. While critics argue the law has enforcement gaps, it is false to suggest lawmakers are legally permitted to engage in insider trading.

As for congressional pay, while the Constitution does allow Congress to vote on salary increases, the 27th Amendment prevents such raises from taking effect until after the next election. In practice, rank-and-file members of Congress, who currently earn $174,000 annually, have not received a pay increase since 2009, as they have repeatedly voted to block automatic cost-of-living adjustments.

This recycled hoax appears to capitalize on public frustration with perceived congressional privilege, but it distorts the reality of lawmaker compensation and benefits. The viral message’s continued circulation highlights how easily misinformation can spread on social media platforms, particularly when it aligns with existing public sentiment about political institutions.