The RecordExhibit 59
Asking his own Justice Department for $230 million
Alleged means: Serious, credible accusations of illegality that no court or watchdog has decided yet.
Trump filed claims seeking about $230 million in taxpayer money as compensation for the federal investigations into him, to be decided by officials he appointed, including his former defense lawyer.
What happened
Trump acknowledged it was awfully strange to be deciding how much to pay himself in damages. There is no precedent in U.S. history.
Where it stands
Trump agreed to drop the claims. On May 18, 2026, the Justice Department announced a settlement of his separate $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS (Exhibit 91), and said that Trump and his legal team had also agreed to drop these claims and that he would receive no monetary payment or damages of any kind. The agreement gave them until June 15, 2026, to withdraw the claims. A federal judge later found that the IRS lawsuit had been brought for an improper purpose, and on Sept. 29 an appeals court refused to put her sanctions on hold while the appeal continues; the entry on the IRS lawsuit has the details. No payout has been reported in the coverage we found.
The administration's side
Trump says the investigations damaged him and that he would give any money to charity or use it on the White House.
Sources
Permanent link: https://unredactedrecord.com/e/doj230/