Former President Donald Trump reignited his feud with Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) by accusing him of decade-old mortgage fraud, alleging Schiff misrepresented his primary residence to gain favorable mortgage terms on a Maryland property. Trump claimed Schiff listed the Maryland home as his primary residence during refinancing in 2009, 2011, and 2013 while still owning a home in California, which he also labeled a primary residence in other filings.
Trump’s allegations, made on Truth Social, were blunt and lacking hard evidence, and he claimed Fannie Mae’s Financial Crimes Division had flagged the case—though Fannie Mae has refused to comment. He accused Schiff of being a “crook” and “scam artist” and called for accountability.
Schiff immediately dismissed the claims as a political smear, linking it to his role in Trump’s first impeachment. His spokesperson said both mortgage lenders were aware of Schiff’s bi-coastal lifestyle, and the senator had been transparent about his use of both homes. Schiff insists there was no intent to defraud and no misuse of either home.
The issue gained momentum after Christine Bish, a Republican real estate investigator, filed an ethics complaint citing Schiff’s contradictory “primary residence” claims. However, legal experts note that members of Congress are not required to live full-time in the states they represent once elected, and it is common for them to own property in Washington, D.C. area suburbs.
In media appearances, Schiff called the allegations “baseless” and “politically motivated”, arguing that Trump is trying to distract from his own legal troubles, including renewed attention to documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump later moderated his accusation, admitting he didn’t know whether the fraud occurred but continued his personal attacks, labeling Schiff a “jerk.”
This confrontation is just the latest chapter in a years-long rivalry between the two, featuring impeachment, public insults, and partisan battles. Though the legal impact of the charges is uncertain, their political significance is clear, especially with the 2024 election season looming. The incident underscores how allegations—true or not—are often used as weapons in high-stakes political warfare.
