U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions from the media after signing an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 3, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
President Donald Trump promoted is so-called "anti-weaponization" fund from the Oval Office on Monday after his attorney general nominee made an agreement with Senate Republicans to nullify his contract with the IRS.
Lawmakers have opposed the agreement, with critics arguing it would amount to a slush fund for Trump supporters, including the Jan. 6 attackers that he pardoned on his first day in office.
Speaking with reporters, Trump also appeared to be confused about the IRS case in general.
"First of all, I had a ten-year case that was settled until I announced I was running for office. It was a settled deal, like I've been doing all my life. I've been audited every year for my entire life, which I have a lot of wealthy friends. They were never audited to this day," said Trump. "They were never audited. I was audited, and my deal was settled in writing. It was settled, subject to final approval. Then I announced I was running for president, and all they did was haunt me with it. They ended the settlement and they went after it, and they went after me illegally. And they did a lot of bad things to me, like they did to other people. And I was treated very unfairly by the IRS. I was — it was weaponized against me."
"And what they did here was very I frankly, uh, if you talk about reparations or if you talk about payment, what they did to me, I had a very good case against them," Trump claimed.
Trump sued the IRS because he said the agency failed to protect his private tax returns when they were leaked by an IRS contractor and published by the press. There were over 400,000 people and businesses whose information was leaked.
Trump and his family, along with the Trump Organization, also sought damages to the tune of about $10 billion. Critics said it made the suit look less like a normal legal complaint and more like a way to pressure the government over a deal for audits and tax disputes. The judge said it was filed for an "improper purpose."
Trump also told reporters that he had no input on the agreement, but he also said he has no idea what the agreement was that Blanche signed off on.
"I didn't look at it. All I know is that Todd Blanche is great. Uh, he's going to do a great job," said Trump. "Everybody knows it. And I understand there's been a sign off, but I didn't — I don't know what they agreed. I think Todd Blanche agreed to reconfirm things that he's already said."
He went on to promote the fund, saying that people want it and he continues to think it's a great idea and supports it.