Former President Donald Trump has reignited his feud with Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), accusing him once again of mortgage fraud tied to a Maryland property he has owned since 2009. Schiff, who has denied the allegations repeatedly, faces renewed scrutiny as Trump pushes claims first raised during the 2024 campaign.
In a Truth Social post Tuesday morning, Trump labeled Schiff a “scam artist,” alleging the senator misrepresented his Maryland residence as a primary home to secure better mortgage terms. “Adam Schiff said that his primary residence was in MARYLAND to get a cheaper mortgage and rip off America, when he must LIVE in CALIFORNIA because he was a Congressman from CALIFORNIA,” Trump wrote. He claimed the arrangement began with a 2009 refinance and lasted until October 2020, when the home was reclassified as a second residence.
No evidence was presented with Trump’s latest accusation. Schiff, now a U.S. senator, dismissed the charges as “baseless” and politically driven.
Schiff’s Career and the Bitter Rivalry
Elected to Congress in 2000, Schiff rose to prominence as a central figure in Trump’s first impeachment as chair of the House Intelligence Committee. His aggressive questioning and media presence made him one of Trump’s chief political adversaries. Schiff’s election to the Senate in 2024 further cemented him as a high-profile progressive voice—and a continued target of Trump’s attacks.
Trump has framed Schiff as emblematic of “Washington corruption,” regularly tying him to what he calls the “deep state.” The Maryland property has become the centerpiece of Trump’s latest effort to cast Schiff as dishonest.
The Property Dispute
Public records show Schiff bought the Montgomery County home in 2009, the same year he refinanced the mortgage. Trump argues that by declaring it his primary residence, Schiff obtained more favorable loan terms than would have been available for a second home or investment property.
Mortgage rules typically allow lower rates and better conditions for primary homes. Critics say such an arrangement could have saved Schiff thousands over time. Trump contends the alleged misrepresentation stretched through several refinancings until 2020, citing unnamed sources tied to Fannie Mae’s Financial Crimes Division—though no official documentation has surfaced.
Legal and Political Context
Constitutionally, members of Congress only need to reside in the state they represent at the time of election. It’s common for lawmakers to maintain homes near Washington while keeping property in their home states. Schiff’s supporters argue that labeling the Maryland house a primary residence was not inherently improper, given the nature of congressional work.
Trump and his allies, however, argue Schiff knowingly manipulated the system for financial benefit, pointing to filings in which both his Maryland and California properties were identified as “primary residences.”
On Truth Social, Trump accused Schiff of being a “crook,” writing: “The FRAUD began with the refinance of his Maryland property on February 6, 2009, and continued through multiple transactions… Mortgage Fraud is very serious, and CROOKED Adam Schiff (now a Senator) needs to be brought to justice.”
Later, pressed by reporters, Trump softened slightly but kept his attacks personal: “I don’t know about the individual charge, if that even happened, but Adam Schiff is a serious lowlife.”
Schiff’s Response
In a statement, Schiff rejected the allegations outright: “These accusations are baseless and recycled. The facts have not changed, because there are no facts to support them.” He emphasized that keeping a home near Washington is routine for lawmakers and said he has complied fully with mortgage and election reporting requirements.
Expert Views
Legal scholars caution that Trump’s claims are unlikely to amount to a federal crime without proof of intentional deception. “Simply owning two homes and alternating which one is listed as primary doesn’t automatically equal fraud,” said Christopher Alton, a housing law expert at Georgetown University. “Without documentation, there’s no way to assess the claim.”
Others argue the controversy is more about politics than finance. “This is about credibility and optics,” said Dr. Helena Moore, a political scientist at George Washington University. “Trump benefits from portraying Schiff as corrupt—it reinforces his broader narrative against Washington insiders.”
Political Fallout
The timing adds to the drama, as the 2026 midterm season begins to take shape. Republicans are seizing on the issue to question Democratic integrity, while Democrats dismiss it as another Trump-driven distraction.
So far, no federal agency has announced an investigation into Schiff’s mortgage history. Trump’s reference to Fannie Mae has not been corroborated, but the claims alone are likely to keep the story alive.
The clash underscores the intensity of the Trump-Schiff rivalry—a feud that has spanned impeachment battles, election campaigns, and now, personal financial allegations. Whether the latest charges have legal weight remains uncertain. Politically, however, they ensure that Schiff stays firmly in Trump’s crosshairs.
