Trump's top Senate Republican turns on president as GOP revolt erupts over $1.8bn slush fund for MAGA allies: 'He sued himself'

By PHILLIP NIETO, US POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 18:42, 19 May 2026 | Updated: 19:00, 19 May 2026 The top Republican senator has turned on Donald Trump over his $1.8 billion taxpayer-funded payout to his political allies.  Senate Majority Leader John Thune has come out against the 'anti-weaponization' settlement approved by the Justice Department. Under the deal, Trump dropped his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the IRS in exchange for the creation of a fund channeling taxpayer money to victims of 'lawfare,' including January 6 rioters. 'Yeah, not a big fan. I’m not sure exactly how they intend to use it. But my understanding is that was just announced,' Thune reporters. 'But yeah, I don’t see a purpose for it.' The $1.776 billion fund will have the power to issue formal apologies and monetary relief owed to claimants. While Trump is barred from directly receiving payments from the fund, entities associated with him are not explicitly prohibited from filing additional ones. The President, his sons Don Jr and Eric, and the Trump Organization initially filed suit against the Treasury and IRS in the Southern District of Florida federal court after the leak of their tax returns in 2019.  Other top GOP lawmakers, including Senator Bill Cassidy, have called Trump's compensation efforts a 'slush fund' and questioned the administration's legal authority to hand out money to people investigated or prosecuted under Biden.  'Somebody explained it to me this way, an attorney,' Senator Cassidy said. 'It is as if somebody sued themselves and agreed upon a settlement with themselves that’s going to be funded by the rest of us. If that’s the case: What?!' Senator Rand Paul, another prominent Republican who is backing Trump's Senate rival Thomas Massie in his upcoming primary race, also slammed the president's payout fund: 'I've never heard of someone negotiating with themselves and making a plea bargain with themselves, so I think there's no precedent for it.' Trump dropped his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the IRS in exchange for the creation of a fund channeling taxpayer money to victims of 'lawfare,' including January 6 rioters 'QAnon Shaman' Jacob Chansley, right with fur hat, during the Capitol riot in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021 Senate Majority Leader John Thune has come out against the 'anti-weaponization' settlement approved by the Justice Department Five commissioners will be appointed to oversee the fund and disburse payments to those seeking redress for alleged political persecution under Biden. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump's former attorney who defended him during his criminal trials, will be responsible for appointments to the commission. Trump has the authority to remove any member. Blanche was grilled on by Democratic senator on Capitol Hill Tuesday, with some calling it the most corrupt act in presidential history.  Blanche defended the fund by stating it would not be limited to Republicans or to those investigated by the Biden DOJ. The attorney general said all payouts will be a matter of public record. Blanche described the fund as 'a lawful process for victims of lawfare and weaponization to be heard and seek redress.' Democratic Senator Chris Hollen pressed Blanche on whether Capitol rioters who assaulted police officers would be eligible for payment. 'Anybody in this country is eligible to apply if they believe they were a victim of weaponization,' Blanche replied. It was not immediately clear who precisely would stand to benefit from the fund, but its creation reflects Trump's long-running claims that the Justice Department during the Biden administration was weaponized against him.  The President, his sons Don Jr and Eric, and the Trump Organization initially filed suit against the Treasury and IRS in the Southern District of Florida federal court after the leak of their tax returns in 2019 He has cited as proof the since-dismissed criminal charges he faced between his first and second terms of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and retaining classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.  Several Trump aides were also prosecuted, as were hundreds of MAGA supporters who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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