Trump blasts Republicans opposing his ‘anti-weaponisation’ fund: 'I gave up a lot of money'
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is standing firm on the new $1.8 billion Justice Department "anti-weaponization" fund, declaring he gave up "an absolute fortune" by dropping his family’s IRS lawsuit to make it happen.
Trump is hitting back at Senate Republicans who are fighting against the fund, which was created to help people who were "badly abused by an evil, corrupt, and weaponized Biden Administration."
Trump rejects 'fortune' to ensure victims get justice
President Trump, on Friday, May 22, explained on 'Truth Social' that he chose to help people rather than take a massive personal payout.
Trump wrote that he "gave up a lot of money in allowing the just announced Anti-Weaponization Fund to go forward," noting that he could have settled his family's IRS lawsuit for "an absolute fortune."
In his statement, Trump revealed the high stakes of what he walked away from, explaining that he could have easily settled his own case, "including the illegal release of my Tax Returns and the equally illegal BREAK IN of Mar-a-Lago," for an absolute fortune.
Trump further stated, "Instead, I am helping others, who were so badly abused by an evil, corrupt, and weaponized Biden Administration, receive, at long last, JUSTICE!" signing off the message as "President DJT."
I gave up a lot of money in allowing the just announced Anti-Weaponization Fund to go forward. I could have settled my case, including the illegal release of my Tax Returns and the equally illegal BREAK IN of Mar-a-Lago, for an absolute fortune. Instead, I am helping others, who… pic.twitter.com/kpd0KsKfIj
— Commentary Donald J Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) May 22, 2026
Trump calls out 'weak and ineffective' Republicans over opposition
President Trump’s move has sparked a major argument among Senate Republicans, who left Washington for a weeklong recess rather than staying to pass the important immigration enforcement bill.
In a 'Truth Social' post, Trump criticized Thom Tillis as "weak and ineffective," and lashed out at him for repeatedly undermining the GOP agenda and claimed the lawmaker abandoned his reelection ambitions only after learning he would not receive Trump’s endorsement.
People don’t remember that Thom Tillis, the weak and ineffective Senator from the Great State of North Carolina, a State I won, including primaries, 6 consecutive times, didn’t have the courage to fight it out in the Senate, remain in place, and run again for office, a thing he… pic.twitter.com/7KUjuPxSfy
— Commentary Donald J Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) May 22, 2026
It is to be noted that Tillis is actively fighting against letting any of the money go to people who participated in the events of January 6, telling CNN that defendants from the Jan 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol "don't need restitution, many of them deserve to be in prison."
Furthermore, Tillis also tried to get other Republicans to block the money, calling the fund "beyond the pale" and "bad politics."
SEN. TILLIS (R): “These people don't deserve restitution. Many of them deserve to be in prison. This is just stupid on stilts. Republicans need to speak up. This is beyond the pale… This is bad policy, bad timing, bad politics.”
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) May 22, 2026
(H/T @Acyn) pic.twitter.com/oUVhjBRwnI
Trump drops billions to help targeted citizens
The "anti-weaponization" fund was announced on 18 May by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as part of a settlement after Trump and his family sued the IRS for $10 billion over the president's leaked tax returns.
To get the program set up, the Trump family chose to dismiss their legal action on their own, walking away without a final court ruling on their case.
While Blanche noted that anyone can submit an application, the main purpose of the program is to provide financial relief to citizens whom Trump and his allies believe faced unfair treatment from prosecutors under previous Democratic leaders.
Still, former Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell released a harsh statement attacking the plan, saying, "So the nation’s top law enforcement official is asking for a slush fund to pay people who assault cops? Utterly stupid, morally wrong – take your pick.”
