Trump pushes $1.8 billion payout to supporters despite legal block

Donald Trump’s attempt to create a $1.776 billion slush fund for his supporters has encountered a federal judge’s ruling that the settlement is illegal. Katie Phang noted that the money would be sourced from the Judgment Fund, which is meant for legitimate federal tort claims vetted by the Justice Department. The controversy stems from a lawsuit Trump filed against the IRS after a tax-return leak, a case the court dismissed as improper self-dealing.

Republican senators such as Thom Tillis, John Cornyn, Bill Cassidy and Lisa Murkowski have expressed doubts about the fund and the confirmation of acting attorney general Todd Blanche. Critics argue the payout would benefit figures like Michael Caputo, Steve Bannon and Michael Flynn, while former campaign worker Sam Nunberg defended the concept as compensation for perceived political persecution.