Trump administration reportedly dropping $1.8 billion fund
8 reported2 unconfirmed
According to a Monday Axios report cited by Vox, the Trump administration planned to drop its “anti-weaponization” fund, nearly $1.8 billion in taxpayer money set aside for Trump to distribute without supervision. The fund faced legal challenges and growing Republican backlash. It was announced in mid-May as part of a settlement between Trump and his own government over a $10 billion lawsuit Trump had brought against the IRS. A federal district judge in Virginia temporarily blocked the fund from disbursing money or taking actions until at least late next week, while a Florida judge ordered Trump’s personal lawyers to justify the settlement. One source told Axios that “The president likes the fund. … So nothing is final until it’s final.” The fund has become toxic with some Republican senators whose votes Trump needs for a second reconciliation bill, and Punchbowl News’s Jake Sherman noted the bill could include language explicitly blocking the fund.
What’s reported
Axios reported on Monday that the Trump administration planned to drop its “anti-weaponization” fund.
The fund was nearly $1.8 billion in taxpayer money set aside for Trump to distribute without supervision.
The fund was announced in mid-May as part of a settlement over a $10 billion lawsuit Trump brought against the IRS.
A federal district judge in Virginia temporarily blocked the fund from disbursing money or taking actions until at least late next week.
A Florida judge ordered Trump’s personal lawyers to justify the settlement, raising the possibility it could have been fraudulent.
One source told Axios: “The president likes the fund. … So nothing is final until it’s final.”
The fund has become toxic with some Republican senators whose votes Trump needs for a second reconciliation bill.
Punchbowl News’s Jake Sherman noted the bill could include language explicitly blocking the fund.
Open questions
The exact status of the fund as of the time of the article.
Whether the fund will be permanently dropped or revived.
Key figures
Donald Trump, president
Jake Sherman, Punchbowl News reporter
Sources: vox.com
