Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• DHS purchases five aircraft at markup from Kristi Noem donor on her last day as secretary — On Kristi Noem's final day as secretary of homeland security, the Department of Homeland Security purchased five aircraft at a considerable markup from one of Noem's political donors. The most expensive aircraft—a Boeing 737 converted into a private jet featuring marble showers and a manta ray skin-covered table—cost the department $108 million. The timing and pricing of the purchase raise questions about whether the transaction was conducted at fair market value and whether Noem's personal political relationships influenced a major government procurement decision.

Supporting reports

• Army announced armored vehicle "excess," but Congress continued funding; defense contractor employees donated to key appropriators — The U.S. Army announced last year that it had enough of a specific model of armored vehicle and that further deliveries would be "excess." Despite this, Congress continued funding the vehicle. In the weeks after the appropriations bill passed, employees of AM General or its parent company donated tens of thousands to key appropriations committee members, including Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA). After the Army's "excess" announcement, employees and the company's PAC donated over $58,000 to committees associated with Collins. The Intercept notes there is no indication this was part of a formal pay-to-play scheme, but it demonstrates how Collins's campaign account has grown with help from defense contractors doing business with the government.
• Congress funds armored vehicle despite Army rejection; manufacturer floods Congress with donations — After the U.S. Army announced it did not need additional units of a specific armored vehicle, Congress passed funding for the vehicle anyway. In the weeks following the funding passage, executives at the manufacturing company donated heavily to key members of Congress, including Senator Susan Collins (R-ME). The sequence suggests potential quid pro quo dynamics between defense contractors and congressional appropriators, raising concerns about whether defense spending decisions are driven by military need or corporate influence.

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• Kalshi bans George Santos from prediction platform for life — Kalshi, a prediction-market platform, announced a permanent lifetime ban and $71,356 fine against former congressman George Santos on Monday. Federal regulators (CFTC) accused Santos of profiting from bets tied to his own attendance at Trump's State of the Union address in February 2026, allegedly exploiting weather forecasts to manipulate contract values. Santos's refusal to cooperate fully with Kalshi's internal investigation elevated the penalty from temporary to permanent. He had previously settled a CFTC case in July for $35,000 and a three-year trading ban.

Supporting reports

• CFTC fines White House teleprompter operator $172,000 for insider trading on prediction market — Gabriel Perez, a White House teleprompter operator, was fined $172,000 by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for using material nonpublic information about Trump's speeches to place bets on the Kalshi prediction market platform from December 2025 to February 2026. The CFTC ordered him to disgorge $107,539.02 in profits and pay a $65,000 civil penalty, citing his exemplary cooperation. Perez also received a three-year trading ban and agreed to cease violations of federal market manipulation laws.
• CFTC penalizes Gabriel Perez for insider trading on prediction markets — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) penalized Gabriel Perez, a White House teleprompter operator, for trading on inside information. Perez agreed to pay $65,000 and forfeit more than $107,000 in winnings. The action occurred in the week prior to the Kalshi enforcement against Santos and reflects broader regulatory scrutiny of prediction-market trading by federal employees with access to non-public information.

Supporting reports

• Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao — Trump granted a pardon to Changpeng Zhao, Binance's ex-CEO and founder, who had pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court to violating the Bank Secrecy Act and failing to maintain an effective anti-money-laundering program. Zhao served a four-month jail term in 2024 before receiving the pardon in 2025. Zhao still owns 90 percent of Binance, which has been plagued by money-laundering violations and internal findings of $1.7 billion in crypto moving to Iranian entities linked to terrorism.
• Trump settles $10 billion IRS lawsuit with immunity provision — Trump used the Department of Justice to forge a settlement of his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS regarding a leak of his tax returns. The settlement grants Trump and his family immunity from IRS audits of prior tax returns and could save him approximately $100 million. A federal judge later found that because Trump controlled both sides of the case, there was no genuine adversity of parties to provide the court with jurisdiction, characterizing the arrangement as essentially a gift to Trump at taxpayer expense.
• Trump uses presidency to amass $2.2bn in personal revenue through crypto, Truth Social, and foreign deals — Donald Trump has generated approximately $2.2 billion in personal revenue during his second presidency through multiple ventures: $1.4 billion from cryptocurrency holdings (including $799 million from World Liberty Financial and $636 million from his $Trump memecoin), a $100,000-per-month Truth Social scheme offering wealthy buyers early access to presidential posts, a $10 billion IRS settlement providing tax immunity, and a $400 million plane gift from Qatar. Ethics experts and congressional Democrats have raised corruption concerns, noting that Trump has declined to place assets in a blind trust and has dismantled regulatory guardrails that previously constrained presidential conflicts of interest.
• Trump's World Liberty Financial receives $2 billion UAE investment in Binance deal — Trump's World Liberty Financial (WLF), co-founded by Trump and his sons with Steve Witkoff's family in fall 2024, received a central role in a $2 billion investment by Abu Dhabi's MGX fund (backed by the United Arab Emirates) into Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange. The deal involved MGX purchasing $2 billion of WLF's USD1 stablecoin for investment in Binance. This arrangement occurred despite Binance's 2023 guilty plea to money-laundering violations, a $4.3 billion DOJ fine, and internal findings that $1.7 billion in crypto moved through Binance to Iranian entities linked to terrorism.
• Truth Social launches $100,000-per-month early-access scheme for wealthy investors — Trump's Truth Social media business announced a new scheme offering wealthy buyers special early access to Trump's posts for a fee of $100,000 per month, dubbed Truth API. The product would provide institutional investors with high-speed access to non-public presidential communications before public release. Democratic senators Mark Warner, Elizabeth Warren, and Adam Schiff, along with ethics watchdog groups, have raised serious conflict-of-interest and corruption concerns, characterizing the arrangement as insider trading and a step toward normalizing public corruption.
• Trump accepts $400 million plane gift from Qatar — Trump circumvented the Constitution's prohibition on foreign emoluments by accepting a $400 million plane as a gift from Qatar. This arrangement, along with other wealthy foreign backing of Trump family hotel and golf deals abroad, has raised concerns among critics about violations of the Foreign Emoluments Clause.
• Businessman under UK money-laundering investigation invested $100 million in Trump crypto — The New York Times reported that a businessman once under investigation in the UK for money laundering became one of the biggest buyers of tokens from Trump's cryptocurrency company, spending $100 million through a newly formed firm. As much as three-quarters of the money ultimately went to a company controlled by Trump and his sons.

Supporting reports

• US District Judge Kathleen Williams voided DOJ's $1.776 billion settlement with Trump — US District Judge Kathleen Williams voided the Department of Justice's $1.776 billion settlement with Trump, finding the litigation constitutionally defective under Article III because Trump, as head of the Executive Branch, controlled both the plaintiff and defendant agencies (Treasury and IRS), making them never genuinely adverse. The judge found no actual case or controversy occurred, no meaningful litigation preceded the settlement, and government lawyers never filed a response or defended the agencies. Williams imposed Rule 11 sanctions and referred one of Trump's attorneys for possible professional discipline.
• Federal Judge Voids Trump's $1.8 Billion IRS Settlement — A federal judge voided Trump's $1.8 billion settlement with the IRS that included an "anti-weaponization fund" and immunity from tax audits, ruling that the president's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS was filed "to manipulate the judicial process." The judge sanctioned two of Trump's personal attorneys, banning one from practicing in the Southern District of Florida for at least one year, and suggested that acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and associate Attorney General Stan Woodward could face state bar investigations.
• Federal judge nullifies Trump tax-return settlement and sanctions president's lawyers — US District Judge Kathleen Williams in the Southern District of Florida voided a settlement agreement between the Trump administration and the president over a $10 billion lawsuit regarding leaked tax returns. The judge found the lawsuit was filed in bad faith and the settlement was collusive, designed to confer immunity on Trump and his family and create an $1.8 billion slush fund. Williams sanctioned Trump's lawyers, referred two to bar disciplinary proceedings, and blocked one from practicing in the district for one year.
• Federal judge ruled Trump's IRS lawsuit settlement was improper and manufactured — U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Williams for the Southern District of Florida ruled that Trump, his lawyers, and Department of Justice lawyers had manufactured a fraudulent settlement of Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. Williams found the lawsuit was brought "for an improper purpose—to gain the imprimatur of judicial legitimacy for a 'settlement' that had no viable basis in law or fact." The settlement was designed to establish a $1.776 billion slush fund for Trump loyalists and to grant Trump, his family, businesses, and associates immunity from prosecution for any tax crimes revealed by audits of tax returns filed before May 19, 2026.
• Federal judge rules against Trump's IRS lawsuit — On July 13, 2026, U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Williams ruled that Trump and his legal team improperly manufactured a settlement in his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, which aimed to create a slush fund for Trump loyalists and grant immunity from prosecution for tax crimes. The judge found the lawsuit lacked a legitimate basis and recommended sanctions against some lawyers involved.
• Judge Williams recommended sanctions against lawyers involved in fraudulent settlement — Judge Kathleen Williams recommended legal sanctions against some of the lawyers involved in the fraudulent IRS settlement and expressed that she was "extremely troubled" by the testimony of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, which she characterized as "at best, misleading and, at worst, disingenuous."
• E. Jean Carroll Receives Payment from Trump — E. Jean Carroll has received a $5.6 million payment from Donald Trump, confirmed by a court filing. This payment is part of a legal settlement related to a defamation case brought by Carroll against Trump.

Supporting reports

• Trump's memecoin investors lost $3.81 billion as coin value collapsed 97% — As of June 30, nearly one million people who purchased Trump's memecoin lost a combined $3.81 billion while Trump personally extracted $636 million in transaction fees taken upfront. The coin's value collapsed from $75.35 to $1.76, a 97% decline. Trump had promoted the coin with messaging such as "It's time to celebrate everything we stand for: WINNING!" and "Join my very special Trump community. GET YOUR $TRUMP NOW!"

Supporting reports

• Senate banking committee votes down amendment barring president and Congress from owning or promoting crypto businesses — The US Senate banking committee voted down, along party lines, an amendment that would have barred the president, vice-president, Congress members, and their families from owning or promoting crypto businesses. The underlying Clarity Act advanced despite the amendment's failure, indicating Republican opposition to restricting executive crypto involvement.

Supporting reports

• Trump purchased stocks before announcing tariff pause, profiting from market movement — Federal filings revealed that the day before Trump paused his tariffs for 90 days, his investment accounts purchased as much as $12.8 million worth of stocks at market lows caused by the tariffs. Trump's announcement of the pause caused a historic stock market spike, with the S&P 500 jumping nearly 10%, one of the largest single-day gains in its history. Trump failed to report the transactions for almost a year past the required deadline; the penalty for late filing is only $200.

Supporting reports

• Trump took out $50 million loan with undisclosed terms and purpose — Financial filings revealed Trump took out a loan for more than $50 million in the past year. However, the filings do not disclose why he needed the money, how he used it, what assets he used as collateral, the exact amount borrowed, or when repayment is due. The lack of transparency regarding a major presidential loan raises questions about potential conflicts of interest or undisclosed financial obligations.

Supporting reports

• Trump’s Financial Disclosure Reveals $2.2 Billion Earnings — President Trump disclosed earnings of $2.2 billion in the first year of his second term, with $1.4 billion from cryptocurrency businesses. This marks a significant increase from his 2024 earnings. Additionally, Trump hosted election denier Tina Peters in the Oval Office, who was recently granted clemency after a conviction for tampering with voting machines.
• Trump earned $2.3 billion while cryptocurrency investors lost equivalent amount — Analysis of Trump family and cryptocurrency venture investor gains and losses showed the Trump family took approximately $2.3 billion in income since the beginning of Trump's second presidency, while investors in those same ventures lost approximately the same amount. The pattern demonstrates a direct transfer of wealth from retail investors to the Trump family through cryptocurrency ventures.
• Trump family structured cryptocurrency ventures to extract front-end fees while investors absorbed losses — Analysis of Trump's cryptocurrency ventures revealed the family structured deals so Trump extracted hundreds of millions in transaction fees on the front end. When the coins subsequently plummeted in value, outside investors holding the coins suffered vast losses while Trump had already secured his profits. The structure allowed Trump to profit regardless of the long-term performance of the cryptocurrency products he promoted.
• Trump financial disclosure reveals $2.2 billion in first-year earnings from presidency — Trump's financial disclosure for his first year back in office revealed he earned approximately $2.2 billion, including $1.4 billion from family cryptocurrency businesses and $636 million from the $TRUMP memecoin. The New York Times reported Trump stated "nobody cared" about conflicts of interest. Trump made 22,000 stock transactions in 2025, compared to President Biden's 13 transactions over four years. Mar-a-Lago membership fees rose to $1 million, generating $77.5 million annually—triple 2020 levels and 50% above 2024.
• Trump administration deregulates crypto industry — Under President Trump's second administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has significantly reduced its regulatory actions against the crypto industry. A New York Times investigation found that the SEC eased up on over 60% of ongoing crypto cases. Notably, the SEC dismissed enforcement cases against major crypto exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, and Robinhood's crypto arm, all of which list and promote Trump's $TRUMP coin. This deregulation has facilitated increased trading volume and boosted Trump's financial returns from his crypto ventures.
• Trump earns $636 million from meme coin venture — President Donald Trump earned $636 million from his meme coin business, CIC Digital LLC, primarily through royalties from a license agreement with Celebration Coins. This income is part of the $1.4 billion Trump reported from crypto-related businesses in his financial disclosure. Despite Trump's significant earnings, investors in the $TRUMP coin have faced substantial losses, with the coin's value dropping by 97% since its launch. A Reuters investigation revealed that buyers invested at least $1.2 billion into $TRUMP, but their holdings were worth only $521 million as of April 30, 2026.
• Trump's Presidential Earnings Reach $2.2 Billion in First Year of Second Term — According to a new financial disclosure, Trump made $2.2 billion in the first year of his second term as president, compared to $622 million in 2024. Of the $2.2 billion, $1.4 billion came from his family's cryptocurrency businesses, making Trump the highest crypto earner in the United States. The disclosure reveals unprecedented personal enrichment while serving as president.
• Trump family crypto ventures generated over $1bn in first year of second term, disclosed in 927-page ethics filing — A 927-page financial disclosure released by the US Office of Government Ethics on Tuesday revealed that President Trump received over $2.2bn in total income last year, including more than $1bn from cryptocurrency ventures. World Liberty Financial, a joint venture between the Trump family and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff's family, generated over $500m from governance token sales. CIC Digital LLC produced over $600m from Trump-branded meme coins launched days before inauguration. The disclosures prompted Democratic senators, including Elizabeth Warren, to demand tighter congressional rules preventing political figures and their families from profiting off the crypto industry.
• Trump Reports $1.4 Billion Income from Cryptocurrency Ventures — A federal filing revealed that President Trump earned approximately $1.4 billion from cryptocurrency ventures last year, including significant profits from a venture with his sons and other investments. This financial disclosure raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and the administration's regulatory stance on cryptocurrencies.
• Trump's 2025 financial disclosure reveals $2.2 billion in income, including $1.2 billion from crypto venture — Trump's financial disclosure for 2025 itemizes $2.2 billion in income across 927 pages, with a crypto business generating approximately $1.2 billion in a single year—exceeding decades of real estate empire earnings. The largest single payday was $635 million in royalties from the $TRUMP meme coin, which has since crashed approximately 95% from its launch, destroying billions in value for small investors. The disclosure also includes tens of millions from legal settlements with media and tech companies.
• Trump's financial disclosure revealed $1.4 billion in crypto income — Trump's annual financial disclosure released Tuesday showed more than $1.4 billion in crypto income for 2025, making it his single largest source of money. This income stream exists while his administration writes the rules governing the cryptocurrency industry, creating a direct conflict of interest between personal financial gain and regulatory authority.

Supporting reports

• Trump Family Profits from Kazakhstan Mining Deal — The New York Times reported that Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump acquired a 20% stake in a company linked to a billion-dollar mining deal with Kazakhstan, secured by the Trump administration. The report also highlights financial ties between the Trump family and companies benefiting from federal mining contracts. The Trump Organization demanded a retraction, but did not deny the profits from the deal.
• — The New York Times reported that within weeks of the Trump administration securing a billion-dollar mining deal with Kazakhstan's president, a firm partly owned by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump took a 20% stake in an entity connected to the project. The Trump family or Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's family has financial ties to at least 14 companies working with the federal government on mining deals, all of which have benefited directly from the administration.

Supporting reports

• DOJ Counsel Todd Blanche announced that the Trump administration has granted the president and his family permanent immunity from IRS-related legal claims, shielding Trump from a potentially $100 million tax liability. — Todd Blanche announced a DOJ settlement that permanently bars the government from pursuing IRS-related claims against Trump, his family, or his businesses. The settlement shields the president from a potentially damaging ruling that could have cost him more than $100 million. The underlying dispute centered on a nearly $73 million tax refund Trump claimed around 2010, based on business losses. The IRS had contended that Trump improperly claimed the same losses twice for his Chicago skyscraper, where he reported losses up to $651 million. Eric Trump previously stated the audit remained active in 2024. Blanche characterized the settlement as routine IRS practice, though critics noted the unprecedented nature of granting a sitting president immunity from tax liability.
• Multiple January 6 defendants and Trump associates announced plans to apply for compensation from the $1.8 billion DOJ weaponization fund, with requests ranging from $2 million to $400 million. — Following announcement of the $1.8 billion DOJ fund for individuals deemed victims of political "weaponization," multiple January 6 defendants and Trump associates announced plans to apply for compensation. Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, sentenced to 22 years for seditious conspiracy, stated he planned to apply for $2-5 million. Attorney Peter Ticktin, representing over 400 January 6 defendants, indicated $1.8 billion would be insufficient given defendants' claimed losses. Mike Lindell announced plans to claim $400 million for alleged brand and MyPillow losses. Michael Cohen stated he drafted a letter applying for compensation. Other January 6 participants announced claims ranging from $30 million to unspecified amounts. The applications highlight the fund's unprecedented nature and the scale of claimed damages.
• Todd Blanche held a closed-door meeting with Republican Senate leadership to address concerns about a $1.8 billion DOJ "weaponization fund" designed to compensate Trump allies and January 6 defendants, resulting in significant GOP opposition and procedural delays. — White House Counsel Todd Blanche met with Senate Republicans for nearly two hours to defend a $1.8 billion DOJ fund intended to compensate individuals deemed victims of political "weaponization," including January 6 Capitol riot defendants and Trump associates. The meeting was reportedly hostile, with as many as 25 GOP senators speaking in opposition. Multiple Republican senators publicly criticized the fund as fiscally irresponsible, legally unprecedented, and damaging to party electoral prospects. The controversy delayed completion of the reconciliation bill, with Senate leadership announcing a recess until June. Senators proposed conditions including restrictions on who could receive payouts and oversight of fund administration.
• Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly refused to attend an emergency Oval Office meeting with Trump regarding the weaponization fund controversy, marking a potential first instance of Johnson declining a direct presidential summons. — Trump called Speaker Mike Johnson to an emergency Oval Office meeting to discuss the weaponization fund controversy. According to four aides familiar with the meeting, Johnson refused to attend, potentially marking the first time the Speaker has declined a direct presidential request. A Johnson aide subsequently denied the report. The incident reflects tension between the White House and House leadership over the fund's political viability and fiscal impact.
• Todd Blanche met with Republican senators over $1.8 billion criminal slush fund — Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Republican senators to discuss Trump's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund. Sen. Ted Cruz described the meeting as having "fireworks at an epic level" and "one of the roughest meetings" he had seen in the Senate, with senators "screaming at the AG." The fund has been the subject of intense criticism from GOP senators over its purpose and implementation.
• Marjorie Taylor Greene predicted Trump will cancel 2028 election — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene appeared on Alex Jones's podcast and predicted that Trump will cancel the 2028 election, referencing comments Trump made to Zelensky about suspending elections during wartime. Greene expressed concern that Trump's repeated statements about staying in power after 2028 are designed to normalize the idea and test public reaction. She stated that canceling elections during wartime would be unconstitutional and unacceptable.
• Trump announced $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund — Trump posted that he established a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund to help those "badly abused" by the Biden administration. Trump claimed he gave up significant money by allowing the fund to go forward, stating he could have settled his own cases for "an absolute fortune" but chose instead to help others receive "justice."

Supporting reports

• DOJ issued order permanently barring federal government from pursuing tax claims against Trump and affiliated entities — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order stating that the federal government is permanently barred from pursuing tax-related claims, reviews, examinations, and appeals against Trump, his family members, and affiliated companies. The order uses language stating the US "RELEASES, WAIVES, ACQUITS, and FOREVER DISCHARGES" Trump and is "FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED" from pursuing monetary relief or other actions against Trump and related individuals, including family members, trusts, and subsidiaries.
• Trump granted permanent immunity from IRS tax investigations and prosecution — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed off on a provision in Trump's settlement that permanently prohibits the IRS from investigating or prosecuting the president, his family, or his businesses for pending tax claims, including a current audit that could have cost Trump more than $100 million. Former IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel stated he was unaware of any precedent where the IRS agreed in advance to permanently forgo examination of previously filed tax returns for a specific person or business.
• Department of Justice amends agreement to release Trump from all IRS prosecution and audits — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an amended agreement that declares the United States "RELEASES, WAIVES, ACQUITS, and FOREVER DISCHARGES" Trump, his sons, the Trump Organization, and "related or affiliated individuals" or companies from all IRS claims. The amendment asserts a blanket promise to cease all IRS audits of Trump's taxes and not to prosecute any crimes Trump, his family, businesses, or associates may have committed involving the IRS. This effectively grants Trump immunity from tax prosecution.
• Justice Department amends settlement agreement to permanently bar IRS from auditing Trump's tax returns — The Department of Justice, through acting attorney general Todd Blanche, added an addendum to a settlement agreement on May 20, 2026, permanently barring the IRS from auditing Donald Trump's past tax returns, as well as those of his family, company, and related entities for all filings prior to the agreement. This amendment was appended to a controversial $1.776 billion compensation fund created to settle Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and other government claims. The provision was posted quietly to the DOJ website the day after the fund's announcement and drew immediate criticism from Senate Democrats during Blanche's testimony.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration considers settling $10bn IRS lawsuit with $1.7bn compensation fund for allies including January 6 rioters — The Trump administration is reportedly negotiating to settle Trump's $10bn lawsuit against the IRS by establishing a $1.7bn compensation fund using the Treasury Department's Judgment Fund. The fund would compensate individuals Trump claims were wrongfully targeted by the Biden administration, including over 1,500 January 6 rioters. The settlement would also include a public IRS apology and waiver of audits on Trump, his family, and businesses. A federal judge has appointed attorneys to examine whether a genuine legal controversy exists, raising concerns about self-dealing and potential DOJ manipulation.
• Trump withdrew IRS lawsuit; DOJ established $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" from Judgment Fund — Attorneys for President Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and the Trump Organization filed notice voluntarily dismissing a $10 billion IRS lawsuit in federal court in Miami with prejudice. In exchange, the Justice Department announced creation of a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" drawn from the federal Judgment Fund to issue apologies and monetary relief to people claiming government "weaponization" or "lawfare." A five-member commission appointed by the Attorney General will decide beneficiaries; the President can remove any member. Quarterly reports go to the Attorney General, not the public. The fund must cease processing claims by December 2028.
• Trump settles IRS lawsuit and establishes $1.8bn anti-weaponization fund — Trump settled his lawsuit against the IRS over the leaking of his tax information by a whistleblower, abandoning his $10bn damages claim in exchange for a financial agreement that allowed him to establish a $1.776bn "anti-weaponization fund." Federal Judge Kathleen Williams approved the settlement on May 18. Critics and Democrats argue the fund functions as a "slush fund" designed to distribute taxpayer dollars to Trump's political allies, including those convicted of violence during the January 6 Capitol riot, whom Trump subsequently pardoned.
• Justice Department announces Anti-Weaponization Fund settlement with Trump entities — The Department of Justice announced establishment of "The Anti-Weaponization Fund" as part of a settlement agreement in President Donald J. Trump v. Internal Revenue Service. The fund, capitalized at $1.776 billion from the judgment fund, will process claims from individuals alleging weaponization or lawfare by government. Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization agreed to drop their lawsuit with prejudice and withdraw administrative claims related to tax-return leaks, the Mar-a-Lago raid, and Russia-collusion investigations in exchange for a formal apology (but no monetary damages to them personally) and creation of the fund. The fund will cease operations by December 1, 2028.
• DOJ establishes $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" for January 6 defendants and MAGA loyalists — The Department of Justice created a $1.776 billion taxpayer-funded "Anti-Weaponization Fund" designated to provide financial support to January 6th insurrectionists and MAGA loyalists. The fund represents a direct allocation of federal resources to individuals convicted or charged in connection with the Capitol attack, effectively using public money to benefit political allies and those involved in the assault on the Capitol.
• DOJ establishes $1.776 billion fund for January 6 defendants and Trump allies — The Department of Justice, under Attorney General Todd Blanche, announced the creation of a $1.776 billion fund designated "for victims of lawfare and weaponization" to provide monetary relief and formal apologies to claimants. The fund will be administered by a five-member Commission appointed by the Attorney General, with one member chosen in consultation with congressional leadership. The President retains authority to remove any Commission member. The fund is expected to provide payouts to individuals convicted or charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol breach and Trump administration officials.
• DOJ announced Anti-Weaponization Fund eligibility may include January 6 defendants — ABC News and TIME reported before the fund announcement that the proposed $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund could include people charged in connection with January 6. Reuters notes that "weaponization" and "lawfare" are terms the President and allies have used to describe criminal cases arising from the Capitol attack. The Hill reports that several convicted January 6 defendants have pending civil suits. DOJ has not publicly released eligibility criteria or named beneficiaries.
• DOJ announces $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" as Trump settlement — Trump's Justice Department officially announced the $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" as part of a settlement with Trump in his lawsuit against the Treasury Department and IRS over the leaking of his tax returns. The fund will be overseen by a commission appointed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, whose members Trump can fire without cause, and will be made available in secret to those claiming wrongful government targeting, potentially including those Trump pardoned for January 6 involvement.
• Trump administration dismisses $10bn IRS lawsuit and establishes $1.776bn secretive compensation fund — The Justice Department announced creation of a $1.776bn "Anti-Weaponization Fund" as part of an agreement in which Trump and his sons dropped a $10bn lawsuit against the IRS. The fund, overseen by five commissioners (four appointed by the attorney general and removable by Trump), will compensate Trump allies with minimal transparency—quarterly reports go only to the attorney general and are confidential. Trump and his sons receive formal apologies but no monetary compensation. Democrats and watchdog groups condemned the arrangement as a slush fund funneling taxpayer dollars to political allies.
• Department of Justice announces $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" to compensate Trump and associates — The Department of Justice, under Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, announced the creation of a $1.776 billion fund purportedly to compensate victims of alleged "weaponization" of the Justice Department under former President Biden. The fund was established following Trump's withdrawal of a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS after a contractor leaked his tax information. Judge Kathleen Williams dismissed the suit, noting no legal settlement existed. The fund is controlled by five administrators, four chosen by Blanche and one in consultation with Congress, all removable by Trump without cause. Distributions are confidential and overseen only by the DOJ. Remaining funds after December 2028 revert to Trump's chosen federal account.
• Creation of $1.776 billion compensation fund for Trump allies with minimal oversight — The Department of Justice announced creation of a $1.776 billion compensation fund on May 19–20, 2026, to settle Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and other government claims. The fund is administered by five officials subject to at-will removal by the president, operates with minimal transparency requirements, and is not obligated to publicly disclose recipients or justifications for awards. Senate Democrats criticized the arrangement as an "outrageous, unprecedented slush fund." Acting attorney general Blanche testified that no limitations exist on who may seek compensation, including those convicted of assaulting police on January 6, though he stated Trump and his sons would not receive direct compensation.
• DOJ announces creation of Anti-Weaponization Fund — The Department of Justice announced the establishment of a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" aimed at compensating individuals it describes as victims of lawfare under former President Joe Biden. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the fund is a lawful process for victims to seek redress. However, the fund is not a legal settlement related to Trump's dropped lawsuit against the IRS, and it grants Trump significant control over the distribution of taxpayer money without oversight.
• Justice Department announced $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund from Trump IRS lawsuit settlement — The Justice Department announced a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" created as part of a settlement of President Trump's lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns. Trump, his two adult sons, and the Trump Organization dropped the suit and received a formal apology but no direct monetary payment. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal defense attorney, established the fund and will handpick the five-member commission deciding eligibility and payouts. The process is largely shielded from court review, and eligibility criteria remain undefined, with Blanche stating "anybody can apply."

Supporting reports

• Trump negotiates $1.7 billion fund to compensate allies for alleged DOJ weaponization — Trump is in talks to drop his $10 billion IRS lawsuit in exchange for the government establishing a $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded account to compensate Trump's allies who claim they were harmed by the Biden administration's alleged weaponization of the Department of Justice. Eligible recipients would include nearly 1,600 people convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, whom Trump pardoned or commuted shortly after taking office in January 2025. While Trump himself will likely be barred from direct payments, entities associated with him will not be.
• Trump DOJ creates $1.7 billion compensation fund for January 6 defendants and Trump allies — The Trump administration is expected to settle Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS by creating a $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded compensation fund to pay individuals and entities claiming wrongful targeting by the Biden administration. The fund would compensate approximately 1,600 January 6 Capitol attack defendants and potentially Trump-associated entities. Trump would retain authority to remove commission members without cause, and the commission would operate with minimal disclosure requirements or oversight of its decision-making process for distributing over $1 billion in public funds.
• Trump administration considers $1.7 billion compensation fund for allies investigated under Biden — The Trump administration is reportedly considering a $1.7 billion fund to compensate President Trump's allies and others who claim they were harmed by Justice Department investigations during the Biden administration. The fund could cover legal costs for people in Trump's orbit and potentially extend to some of the nearly 1,600 people charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack. The administration has discussed modeling the program on past federal settlement funds, with possible payments through the Treasury Department's Judgment Fund. The proposal has not been finalized or approved.
• White House and DOJ explore settlement of Trump's $10 billion IRS lawsuit — The New York Times reported that the White House and Justice Department are exploring a settlement in Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS for releasing his tax returns. ABC News reported that Trump is expected to settle in exchange for launching a $1.7 billion compensation fund for his allies, including those pardoned for Jan. 6 involvement, with a Trump-controlled commission overseeing distribution and recipient identities potentially kept private. The settlement would use taxpayer funds to reward political allies.

Supporting reports

• Trump uses UFC event on White House lawn as fundraising vehicle through sponsorship packages — Trump is using a planned Ultimate Fighting Championship event to be held on his birthday on the White House lawn as a mechanism for donors to funnel money to him. Although the UFC is paying for the event and expects to lose up to $30 million, and tickets are technically free, Trump controls ticket distribution. Sponsorship packages including ringside seats have sold for $1 million or more, with neither the White House nor UFC disclosing where the money goes.

Supporting reports

• Reynolds American donates $5 million to Trump Super PAC before FDA reversal on flavored vapes — Reynolds American, through its RAI Services subsidiary, donated $5 million to MAGA Inc. on April 30, 2026. Two days later, Trump met with Reynolds executives and Reynolds lobbyist Brian Ballard at Trump's golf club in Jupiter, Florida. At the meeting, executives complained about the prohibition on fruit-flavored vapes, banned due to their appeal to children. Trump interrupted the meeting to call FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. Within a week, the FDA produced new guidance facilitating Reynolds and other companies to resume selling fruit-flavored vapes. Makary reportedly resigned in protest.

Supporting reports

• EPA dismantles environmental protections and regulatory enforcement — EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has pursued a deregulatory agenda including rolling back drinking water standards for PFAS ("forever chemicals"), weakening protections against air pollutants such as mercury and arsenic, greenlighting pesticides with known health risks, proposing safe exposure levels for the carcinogen formaldehyde, declining to regulate endocrine-disrupting chemicals in consumer products, and canceling millions of dollars in research grants on chemical and pollutant health effects. The agency has also invited companies to email for exemptions from air pollution standards. One major beneficiary is Bayer, which received an executive order exemption from lawsuits for endangering public health after making large campaign contributions to Trump.
• Trump administration declares glyphosate production a national security issue via executive order — The Trump administration issued an executive order declaring protection of glyphosate production a national security issue. This action was cited by protesters and lawmakers as evidence of executive support for Monsanto/Bayer and against consumer protection. The order was announced in the context of the Supreme Court hearing on glyphosate liability.

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• Trump administration considers financial bailout for UAE amid undisclosed Trump family business ties — President Trump stated on Tuesday that he is considering a financial bailout for the United Arab Emirates, a U.S. ally experiencing economic hardship from the Iran war. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with UAE Central Bank Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama, who proposed a currency-swap line to provide inexpensive dollar access. While such swaps are typically Federal Reserve decisions, the Trump administration has previously used Treasury funds for bailouts. The UAE is not a major U.S. trading partner (2024 trade totaled $47.9 billion, compared to $909 billion with Canada), yet administration officials including National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett signaled openness to assistance.
• Trump indicated openness to UAE financial bailout tied to Trump Organization business relationships — On April 22, 2026, Trump indicated he was open to offering the United Arab Emirates a taxpayer-funded financial bailout to offset economic losses from the Iran war. The UAE has extensive business partnerships with the Trump Organization and multiple financial ties to the Trump family. The proposed bailout would use federal funds to benefit a foreign government with direct financial interests in Trump family enterprises.
• UAE requests U.S. financial backstop for Iran war damage — Officials from the United Arab Emirates asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Treasury and Federal Reserve officials whether the U.S. will provide a financial backstop for the UAE if the Iran war continues to damage its economy.
• UAE warns Trump administration of dollar destabilization risk — The United Arab Emirates quietly warned the Trump administration that if the Iran conflict is not resolved, it will face dollar destabilization. The warning represents a private diplomatic signal from a key Gulf ally regarding economic consequences of prolonged conflict.

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• RFK Jr testifies before House Ways and Means Committee on health budget amid vaccine and public health criticism — Robert F Kennedy Jr, health secretary, testified before the US House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday regarding the administration's health budget and policies. Lawmakers from both parties challenged Kennedy over sweeping changes to vaccination recommendations, promotion of vaccine misinformation during a measles outbreak affecting nearly 2,300 cases, cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, and previous racist comments about Black children. Kennedy defended his positions while promoting disputed claims about vaccine safety and hepatitis B transmission risk, and the hearing became contentious with multiple heated exchanges.
• Gov. Andy Beshear defended Pope's biblical interpretation on war — Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear responded to claims by Speaker Johnson and Vice President Vance that the Pope was misinterpreting the Bible regarding war. Beshear stated that there is no point in the New Testament where Jesus discusses just war, and that the Pope is simply speaking about Christ who could have brought down fire on the Roman Empire but chose not to. Beshear emphasized that Jesus, "the most powerful person who's ever walked the face of the Earth," could have justified violence but instead chose to be "the Prince of Peace" rather than "the Prince of Power."
• Rep. Linda Sanchez questioned RFK Jr. on public health messaging priorities — During House testimony, Rep. Linda Sanchez questioned RFK Jr. about suspending a pro-vaccine campaign while spending taxpayer dollars on a campaign featuring him drinking milk shirtless in a hot tub with Kid Rock, asking how this constituted a better public health message. RFK Jr. responded by citing global measles epidemic prevention, to which Sanchez countered that no country has seen a bigger percentage increase in measles than the United States.
• Rep. Melanie Stansbury criticized illegal war and administration's actions — Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) stated that millions of people have been displaced and American bases bombed, questioning the justification for the war. She characterized the conflict as illegal, led by a president attacking the Pope, threatening war crimes, and implicated in Epstein files, while being unable to explain the war's purpose or post-war plans.
• Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove criticized war costs and health care priorities — Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) criticized the administration's spending priorities, stating that the costs of the war are visible in rising gas prices and fertilizer costs, and that the administration wants to spend $2 billion daily on military operations rather than help Americans access health care. She used colorful language to express frustration with the spending priorities.
• Rep. Terri Sewell questioned RFK Jr. on statements about Black children and ADHD medication — Rep. Terri Sewell asked RFK Jr. whether he had ever parented a Black child, referencing a 2024 podcast interview in which he allegedly suggested Black children on ADHD medication should be "re-parented." RFK Jr. denied making the statement. The Ways & Means Committee Democrats subsequently posted a video clip of RFK Jr. from 2024 stating: "Every Black kid is now just standard put on Adderall, SSRIs, benzos, which are known to induce violence, and those kids are going to have a chance to go somewhere and get re-parented."
• RFK Jr. testified before House on health care fraud investigation — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., leading a Trump administration initiative to investigate alleged health care fraudsters, testified before the House. During questioning, Rep. Lloyd Doggett presented a case involving Paul Walczak, who retained $10 million in wages and purchased a $2 million yacht after his mother contributed to the Trump campaign, and was no longer required to pay $4.4 million or serve prison time. Doggett asked whether RFK Jr. recommended pardons for health care fraudsters or if campaign contributions influenced the decisions. RFK Jr. denied the account as not credible.
• RFK Jr. testified before House committee on HHS spending and policy — RFK Jr. testified before a House committee hearing. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici questioned HHS spending on a video of RFK Jr. drinking milk in a hot tub with Kid Rock. Rep. Greg Casar asked about 1.4 million people who lost health insurance from Obamacare; RFK Jr. responded they were "almost all illegal immigrants." Rep. Adelita Grijalva referenced RFK Jr.'s history of performing his own medical research, including cutting the penis off a dead raccoon. Rep. Summer Lee raised concerns that RFK Jr.'s agency instructed programs to remove 200 words from funding applications including the word "Black."

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• Reuters reports suspicious trading patterns anticipating Trump policy shifts — Reuters reported that unknown traders netted millions of dollars through well-timed trades anticipating Trump's major policy shifts, suggesting possible advance notice of announcements. Examples include options traders profiting millions minutes before Trump announced a pause on "Liberation Day tariffs" in April 2025, and six people generating $1.2 million in Polymarket bets hours before a US-Israel attack on Iran. Legal experts believe the pattern warrants investigation for potential insider trading and breach of confidentiality.

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• Trump purchased Micron stock before publicly touting the company on Fox News — On March 25, 2026, President Trump purchased between $50,000 and $100,000 in Micron stock in an "unsolicited" transaction. The next day, March 26, Trump called into Fox News' "The Five" and publicly praised Micron as "one of the hottest companies," stating he had recently met with Micron's top executive. Between March 2 and March 25, Trump purchased between $217,000 and $530,000 in Micron stock, including four unsolicited transactions. These purchases and the timing of Trump's public remarks about Micron had not previously been reported. The transactions were disclosed on May 14.

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• DOJ settled with pardoned Michael Flynn for $1.2 million — The Justice Department reached a settlement with pardoned former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, awarding him $1.2 million in taxpayer funds. Flynn had previously pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his conversations with Russia's ambassador to the United States and was later pardoned by Trump. The settlement represents a reversal of the government's position against Flynn.
• Justice Department Settles with Michael Flynn — The U.S. Department of Justice has reached a settlement with Michael Flynn, a former national security advisor to Donald Trump. This settlement is part of a series of financial agreements that have resulted in Trump allies receiving substantial sums of taxpayer money. The details of the settlement have not been disclosed, but it continues a pattern of financial dealings involving individuals close to the former president. This development raises questions about the use of public funds and the accountability of government financial settlements.
• Michael Flynn and DOJ settled political targeting lawsuit — Michael Flynn and the Department of Justice agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Flynn over his claims of political targeting in a 2017 case in which he initially pleaded guilty. A judge had previously tossed Flynn's lawsuit in 2024. His attorneys filed an amended complaint last June after Trump took office. Flynn served as National Security Advisor during Trump's first term before resigning after less than a month.
• DOJ announced settlement with Michael Flynn — The Department of Justice announced a settlement with Michael Flynn, Trump's former national security advisor who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about conversations with Russian operative Sergey Kislyak before Trump took office. Trump later pardoned Flynn, who subsequently worked to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Flynn had sued the DOJ for $50 million in damages in 2023, claiming wrongful prosecution due to his association with Trump. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in 2024, but Flynn's lawyers renewed the case after Trump's reelection, leading to DOJ negotiations. The settlement amount was approximately $1.2 million.
• DOJ announces settlement with Michael Flynn — The Department of Justice announced a settlement with Michael Flynn, Trump's former national security advisor, who had previously pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. Flynn's lawsuit against the DOJ for $50 million was dismissed, but negotiations led to a settlement, reportedly amounting to approximately $1.2 million.

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• New York attorney Joshua Nass charged with attempted extortion of client over unpaid fees — Joshua Nass, a 34-year-old New York lobbyist and attorney connected to a Trump pardon issued in November 2025, was arrested and charged in federal court in Brooklyn with attempted Hobbs Act extortion. Prosecutors allege Nass threatened a former client and the client's son over an alleged $500,000–$600,000 debt for lobbying services, instructing an associate to intimidate the client at his home and threatening physical assault or kidnapping. Nass was released on a $5 million bond secured by five properties and $50,000 cash, with GPS monitoring imposed.