{"id":20633,"date":"2026-05-19T03:41:56","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T03:41:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/corruption-on-steroids-trump-drops-tax-office-lawsuit-in-return-for-2-5b-slush-fund\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T03:41:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T03:41:56","slug":"corruption-on-steroids-trump-drops-tax-office-lawsuit-in-return-for-2-5b-slush-fund","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/corruption-on-steroids-trump-drops-tax-office-lawsuit-in-return-for-2-5b-slush-fund\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Corruption on steroids\u2019: Trump drops tax office lawsuit in return for $2.5b \u2018slush fund\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div data-testid=\"ad-sticky-container\" class=\"sc-37562b78-0 iLENDS\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 evuabm adWrapper noPrint sc-1c01c11e-0 jLbRED\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<header class=\"sc-ad76bc40-0 fNDZoQ\">\n<div class=\"sc-5cbbddda-0 hjlPcO\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-author\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-1 hPBdKJ\">\n<div>\n<p data-testid=\"article-datetime\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-5 hxoHkT\"><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 gjmXPs\"><time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-05-19T05:35:41+10:00\">May 19, 2026<!-- --> &mdash; 5:35am<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-0 efdRpd noPrint\" data-testid=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-1 iddmiW\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga\" readability=\"6.3137254901961\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 kskMyR sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 yiNod\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqtnv\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqrHP\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<aside class=\"sc-6f94ac39-6 esmrVF\"><\/aside>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"30\">\n<p><strong>Washington:<\/strong> President Donald Trump settled his lawsuit against the US tax office through the creation of an unusual multibillion-dollar fund to compensate victims of supposed government &ldquo;weaponisation&rdquo;, which was immediately described by Democrats as a MAGA slush fund.<\/p>\n<p>The Department of Justice &ndash; whose acting head is Trump&rsquo;s former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche &ndash; announced that as part of the settlement, it would set aside $US1.776 billion ($2.48 billion) for the &ldquo;Anti-Weaponisation Fund&rdquo;, which will award damages to people claiming to be victims of US government lawfare.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4e43642240621fdf7480eadbfec114d99b21d4ae, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4e43642240621fdf7480eadbfec114d99b21d4ae 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4e43642240621fdf7480eadbfec114d99b21d4ae, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4e43642240621fdf7480eadbfec114d99b21d4ae 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Democrats described Donald Trump&rsquo;s lawsuit as a &ldquo;sham&rdquo; intended to instigate the favourable settlement that was announced on Monday.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.378,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/4e43642240621fdf7480eadbfec114d99b21d4ae\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4e43642240621fdf7480eadbfec114d99b21d4ae, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4e43642240621fdf7480eadbfec114d99b21d4ae 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/12-weeks-jail-for-school-it-support-technician-who-took-upskirt-videos-of-teachers\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">&lt;div&gt;12 weeks' jail for school IT support technician who took upskirt videos of teachers&lt;\/div&gt;<\/span><\/a><\/div><p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Democrats described Donald Trump&rsquo;s lawsuit as a &ldquo;sham&rdquo; intended to instigate the favourable settlement that was announced on Monday.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Bloomberg<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While the Justice Department stated there were no partisan requirements to file a claim, Blanche indicated the aim was to redress what the Trump administration regards as the weaponisation of the US federal government under Trump&rsquo;s predecessor, Joe Biden.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The machinery of government should never be weaponised against any American, and it is this department&rsquo;s intention to make right the wrongs that were previously done while ensuring this never happens again,&rdquo; said Blanche.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"24.617721518987\">\n<p>&ldquo;As part of this settlement, we are setting up a lawful process for victims of lawfare and weaponisation to be heard and seek redress.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Democrats widely expect the money to be used to compensate people who were convicted or charged over the January 6 riots at the US Capitol, whom Trump pardoned on his first day back in office. That could theoretically include Trump allies such as Steve Bannon or trade counsellor Peter Navarro, who went to prison for defying a congressional subpoena over the matter.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.131%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e09dc168af14d36befc33b82ad6c8592c61edfe1, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.131%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/e09dc168af14d36befc33b82ad6c8592c61edfe1 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.131%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e09dc168af14d36befc33b82ad6c8592c61edfe1, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.131%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/e09dc168af14d36befc33b82ad6c8592c61edfe1 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Avenging the 1600 people convicted or charged over the January 6, 2021 riots has been a motivating factor for Trump ever since.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.131,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/e09dc168af14d36befc33b82ad6c8592c61edfe1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.131%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e09dc168af14d36befc33b82ad6c8592c61edfe1, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.131%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/e09dc168af14d36befc33b82ad6c8592c61edfe1 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Avenging the 1600 people convicted or charged over the January 6, 2021 riots has been a motivating factor for Trump ever since.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">AP<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/migrant-acquitted-in-first-trial-over-us-border-military-zones\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">Migrant acquitted in first trial over US border military zones<\/span><\/a><\/div><p>Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton said on X: &ldquo;Trump didn&rsquo;t just pardon his followers who stormed the US Capitol. He&rsquo;s now set them up for payments through a slush fund he created to reward his allies &ndash; out of your tax dollars. You could not make this up.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Trump, his sons and the family business sued the Internal Revenue Service for $US10 billion in January, arguing the tax agency &#8203;should have done more to prevent a &#8203;former IRS contractor from leaking their &#8288;tax returns to media outlets during the president&rsquo;s first term.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"25.591470258137\">\n<p>Those outlets, <em>The New York Times<\/em> and ProPublica, reported that Trump paid little to no income tax during his first year in the White House and in most previous years over a 15-year period, after declaring he had lost much more money than he made. Trump had long fought to keep the records secret.<\/p>\n<p>The contractor, Charles Littlejohn, later pleaded guilty to leaking the documents and is serving a five-year jail sentence.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4caba554e832a74831a8545004a6952c5e02f121, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4caba554e832a74831a8545004a6952c5e02f121 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4caba554e832a74831a8545004a6952c5e02f121, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4caba554e832a74831a8545004a6952c5e02f121 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The announcement was made by acting attorney-general Todd Blanche, who is Donald Trump&rsquo;s former personal lawyer.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.378,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/4caba554e832a74831a8545004a6952c5e02f121\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4caba554e832a74831a8545004a6952c5e02f121, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4caba554e832a74831a8545004a6952c5e02f121 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>The announcement was made by acting attorney-general Todd Blanche, who is Donald Trump&rsquo;s former personal lawyer.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Bloomberg<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Trump&rsquo;s lawsuit filed in the Southern District of Florida created a highly unusual situation where the president was suing the government he administers.<\/p>\n<p>The judge, Kathleen Williams, had indicated the case may be unworkable, as &ldquo;he is the sitting president and his named adversaries are entities whose decisions are subject to his direction&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"24\">\n<p>As part of the settlement announced on Monday (Washington time), Trump and his family will receive a formal apology, but no financial compensation, the Department of Justice said.<\/p>\n<p>But the so-called anti-weaponisation fund instantly alarmed Democrats who accused the Trump administration of funnelling taxpayers&rsquo; money to its allies.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2500d5576647337fab0d53056a2d6b283002a511, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2500d5576647337fab0d53056a2d6b283002a511 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2500d5576647337fab0d53056a2d6b283002a511, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2500d5576647337fab0d53056a2d6b283002a511 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Massachusetts Democrat Elizabeth Warren said the fund was &ldquo;corruption on steroids&rdquo;.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.378,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/2500d5576647337fab0d53056a2d6b283002a511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2500d5576647337fab0d53056a2d6b283002a511, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2500d5576647337fab0d53056a2d6b283002a511 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Massachusetts Democrat Elizabeth Warren said the fund was &ldquo;corruption on steroids&rdquo;.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Bloomberg<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>More than 90 of them signed an urgent amicus brief filed in the Florida court to try to stop the settlement. They contend only Congress can appropriate federal money, and it has not approved the creation of such a fund.<\/p>\n<p>The Justice Department said the money would come from the existing Judgment Fund, which is used to settle and pay cases. It argued there was a precedent: a $US760 million fund created by the Obama administration to redress claims of racism by the Department of Agriculture over decades.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"24.811498586239\">\n<p>But Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren said the latest announcement was &ldquo;a giant slush fund of taxpayer dollars for [Trump&rsquo;s] MAGA buddies&rdquo;, labelling it &ldquo;corruption on steroids&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ noPrint\" data-testid=\"related-story\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.4537%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/d053d23aa61419ea7723e8c91b5e0b6aa72ff1dd, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.4537%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/d053d23aa61419ea7723e8c91b5e0b6aa72ff1dd 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.4537%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/d053d23aa61419ea7723e8c91b5e0b6aa72ff1dd, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.4537%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/d053d23aa61419ea7723e8c91b5e0b6aa72ff1dd 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein (inset) were friends.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_1.4537,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/d053d23aa61419ea7723e8c91b5e0b6aa72ff1dd\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.4537%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/d053d23aa61419ea7723e8c91b5e0b6aa72ff1dd, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.4537%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/d053d23aa61419ea7723e8c91b5e0b6aa72ff1dd 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The US attorney-general &ndash; who serves Trump &ndash; will appoint five members to run the fund, one of whom will be chosen in consultation with congressional leaders. The president can remove any member at will, but their replacement &ldquo;must be chosen the same way as the replaced member was selected&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<p>Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said the fund would be &ldquo;completely under the control of [Trump&rsquo;s] sycophants and cronies&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He can dismiss them anytime if they&rsquo;re not doing exactly what he wants,&rdquo; Raskin told cable network MS-NOW. &ldquo;He can literally direct them to give money to this or that person based on personal favour for whatever reason he wants. There&rsquo;s no rule of law, or rhyme or reason to any of it.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"8.9747292418773\">\n<p>The House Judiciary Democrats also called Trump&rsquo;s lawsuit a &ldquo;sham&rdquo; that was lodged to instigate a favourable settlement.<\/p>\n<p><b><i>Get a note directly from our foreign <\/i><\/b><b><i>correspondents <\/i><\/b><b><i>on what&rsquo;s making headlines around the world. <\/i><\/b><b><i>Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter<\/i><\/b><b><i>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-footer\" class=\"sc-780f6c39-0 fWnQtB\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-1 bhFzjY noPrint\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-2 ksUUFP\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga sc-780f6c39-3 fMMhlQ\" readability=\"6.3137254901961\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 yEdFV sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-0 ksyHqK\">\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-1 LVIFj\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Michael Koziol\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_80%2Ch_80%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262 2x\" width=\"40\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 libeSR\"><span data-testid=\"author-bio\" class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-3 cVMGnz\"><span>Michael Koziol is the North America correspondent for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Sydney editor, Sun-Herald deputy editor and a federal political reporter in Canberra.<\/span><span class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-4 gMBkSk\">Connect via X<span> or <\/span>email.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-3dbe4134-0 iIZygf sc-df8e6ee0-0 noPrint noPrint\" data-an-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-group=\"everything\" data-an-cu-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-position=\"4\" data-testid=\"from-our-partners-strap\">\n<header class=\"sc-84567ec1-0 hpMljf\">\n<h2 data-pb-type=\"hi\" class=\"sc-84567ec1-1 weWOF\"><span>From our partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"sc-df8e6ee0-1 iJvgCK\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 blRVQF adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-2 gcpFZE\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 blRVQF adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-3 fIPZKC\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><sub>&lsquo;Corruption on steroids&rsquo;: Trump drops tax office lawsuit in return for $2.5b &lsquo;slush fund&rsquo;<\/sub><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advertisement May 19, 2026 &mdash; 5:35am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA Washington: President Donald Trump settled his lawsuit against the US tax office through the creation of an unusual multibillion-dollar fund to compensate victims of supposed government &ldquo;weaponisation&rdquo;, which was&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/corruption-on-steroids-trump-drops-tax-office-lawsuit-in-return-for-2-5b-slush-fund\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;\u2018Corruption on steroids\u2019: Trump drops tax office lawsuit in return for $2.5b \u2018slush fund\u2019&rdquo;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20634,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20633","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20633","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20633"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20633\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20634"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20633"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20633"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20633"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}