U.S NewsThe GuardianMon, May 18, 2026, 11:31 PMNegative

Donald Trump says he ‘wasn’t involved’ in creation of $1.7bn compensation fund – US politics live

President Donald Trump has announced that he was not involved in the creation of a $1.7 billion compensation fund, which he claims has been well received. This fund is intended to assist individuals he alleges were wrongfully targeted by the Biden administration, amid ongoing criticism from Democrats who label the initiative as corruption.

Donald Trump says he ‘wasn’t involved’ in creation of $1.7bn compensation fund – US politics live

WPN Brief

  • What Happened

    President Donald Trump has announced that he was not involved in the creation of a $1.7 billion compensation fund, which he claims has been well received. This fund is intended to assist individuals he alleges were wrongfully targeted by the Biden administration, amid ongoing criticism from Democrats who label the initiative as corruption.

  • Why It Matters

    The establishment of this fund follows Trump's decision to voluntarily dismiss a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, which he filed over the leak of his tax return information. This move may be seen as an attempt to mitigate legal pressures while addressing claims of political targeting.

  • The Bigger Picture

    The situation highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and the Democratic Party, particularly regarding allegations of misuse of power and the politicization of federal agencies. The fund's creation and the lawsuit's dismissal may also reflect broader themes of accountability and the implications of political influence within the justice system.

Ask WPN AI

Related Reports

More coverage on this story

8 reports across the wire

The Guardian
May 16

Trump may settle his lawsuit against IRS for $1.7bn fund to compensate allies

Donald Trump is reportedly considering settling his $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in exchange for a $1.7 billion fund aimed at compensating individuals he claims were unfairly targeted by the Biden administration. This potential agreement raises concerns about self-dealing by a sitting president, as taxpayer dollars could be redirected to benefit Trump and his allies.

U.S Newsnegative
NBC News
May 18

DOJ sets up $1.8B ‘anti-weaponization’ fund after Trump drops IRS lawsuit

The Justice Department has announced the creation of a $1.776 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' following President Trump's decision to dismiss a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, which he filed over the alleged leak of his tax returns. This dismissal signals a potential resolution to ongoing tensions between Trump and the IRS.

U.S Newsneutral
The Hill
May 18

Trump moves to dismiss $10B lawsuit against IRS

President Trump has filed a notice to voluntarily dismiss his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, which was initiated over the leak of his tax return information by an agency contractor. The filing took place in a federal court in Miami, indicating a significant shift in Trump's legal strategy regarding this matter.

U.S Newsneutral
Los Angeles Times
May 18

Trump DOJ creates $1.7-billion fund for victims of legal 'weaponization,' prompting outrage

The Justice Department has established a $1.7 billion fund to compensate individuals claiming to be victims of legal 'weaponization' under the Trump administration, a move that has sparked significant controversy. This fund is intended to support allies of former President Trump who allege mistreatment by the government.

U.S Newsnegative
NPR
May 18

Judge dismisses Trump's IRS lawsuit, paving the way for a settlement

The president sued the IRS and the Treasury Department in January, demanding $10 billion over the leak of his tax returns years ago.

U.S Newsneutral
The Guardian
May 18

Trump’s immigration crackdown could cost up to $479bn in lost taxes over 10 years

The Trump administration's immigration crackdown is projected to result in a loss of up to $479 billion in tax revenue over the next decade, as undocumented workers are deterred from filing taxes due to increased enforcement and proposed data sharing between the IRS and immigration authorities. Tax advisers indicate that the removal of tax benefits for immigrant parents further discourages tax filing among this population.

U.S Newsnegative
The Wall Street Journal
May 18

Justice Department Creates Unusual $1.8 Billion ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’

The Justice Department has established a $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' aimed at compensating individuals who allege harm from the department's actions. This announcement coincides with President Trump's decision to dismiss a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS concerning the alleged leak of his tax return information.

U.S Newsneutral
The Guardian
May 14

US reportedly dropped fraud charges against Indian billionaire after he hired Trump’s lawyer

The US Department of Justice has reportedly dropped fraud charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, who was accused of conspiring to pay $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials, following his engagement of Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Robert J Giuffra Jr. This decision came after a meeting where Giuffra proposed that Adani would invest $10 billion in the US economy and create 15,000 jobs if the charges were dismissed.

U.S Newsneutral

Apps

Useful picks

Explore all apps

Articles

Continue Reading

ABC NewsU.S Newsyesterday

Trump celebrates the World Cup as a US victory as he presents trophy to the winner, Spain

President Donald Trump presented the World Cup trophy to Spain following their 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This match concluded with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in extra time, marking a significant achievement for Spain.

The GuardianU.S Newsyesterday

Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino booed before US president attempts to crash Spain celebrations

Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino were booed during the presentation ceremony at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where Trump attempted to join Spain's celebrations following their victory over Argentina. Trump arrived via Marine One and was seated among other dignitaries, including Spain's King Felipe VI and leaders from Canada and Mexico.

Fox NewsU.S Newsyesterday

Bill Maher claims Donald Trump felt 'betrayed' by him with 'silly' feud after cordial 2025 dinner

Bill Maher discussed his ongoing feud with former President Donald Trump during an appearance on ABC's 'This Week,' despite having shared a cordial dinner in 2025. Maher characterized the feud as 'silly' and suggested that Trump felt 'betrayed' by him.

NBC NewsU.S Newsyesterday

España levanta la Copa del Mundo en una noche inolvidable | Conexión Mundial

Spain celebrated a historic victory by lifting the World Cup trophy after defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final match held at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. The trophy was presented by former President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, marking a significant moment for Spanish football. Rodri was among the key players recognized during the ceremony.

The HillU.S Newsyesterday

Maine secretary of State drops out of Senate race

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has announced her withdrawal from the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, just over a week after launching her campaign, citing escalating attacks on democracy by Donald Trump as a significant concern.

The HillU.S Newsyesterday

Warner rails against Trump’s primetime speech: ‘This guy is not looking for a secure election’

Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) criticized former President Donald Trump's recent primetime speech, asserting that it demonstrates a lack of seriousness regarding election security. Warner highlighted the firings of Democratic members from the Elections Assistance Commission as a troubling sign of undermining electoral integrity.

Fox NewsU.S Newsyesterday

Trump takes in Jennifer Hudson's incredible national anthem performance before World Cup final

President Donald Trump attended the World Cup final in New Jersey, where Jennifer Hudson delivered a powerful rendition of the national anthem. Trump was flanked by Melania Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the performance, which set the stage for the highly anticipated match.

The HillU.S Newsyesterday

Stevens: ‘Fool’s run’ to blame Israel for pushing Trump toward Iran

Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) has rejected claims that President Trump's actions regarding Iran are influenced by Israel, labeling such assertions as misguided. Stevens emphasized that Trump acts independently, asserting that blaming Israel for his decisions is a 'fool's run.' This statement comes amid her campaign for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, where she faces significant competition.