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wlky.com: https://www.wlky.com/article/trump-irs-settlement-fact-check/71367530

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GDELT news · original
Published
Thursday, May 21, 2026

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Trump IRS settlement: Why $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund lacks legal precedent Skip to content NOWCAST WLKY News at 11:00pm Watch on Demand Menu Search News Policies News Local News National News Get the Facts Investigate Consumer News Entertainment Seen on WLKY Upload Weather Radar Map Room Forecasting Our Future Politics Sports High School Playbook Community Project CommUNITY Bell Awards Wednesdays Child Memorials Advertise with WLKY About News Team Contact Titan TV Guide MeTV Very Local Privacy Notice Terms of Use SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL Weather Search Press enter to search Type to Search Search location by ZIP code ZIP Advertisement Trump IRS settlement: Why $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund lacks legal precedent Trump IRS settlement: Why $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund

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Trump IRS settlement: Why $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund lacks legal precedent Skip to content NOWCAST WLKY News at 11:00pm Watch on Demand Menu Search News Policies News Local News National News Get the Facts Investigate Consumer News Entertainment Seen on WLKY Upload Weather Radar Map Room Forecasting Our Future Politics Sports High School Playbook Community Project CommUNITY Bell Awards Wednesdays Child Memorials Advertise with WLKY About News Team Contact Titan TV Guide MeTV Very Local Privacy Notice Terms of Use SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL Weather Search Press enter to search Type to Search Search location by ZIP code ZIP Advertisement Trump IRS settlement: Why $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund lacks legal precedent Trump IRS settlement: Why $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund lacks legal precedent This one-page document was quietly posted on the Department of Justice's website on Tuesday, and it is part of *** deal that aims to resolve President Trump's lawsuit against the IRS for the prior leak of his tax returns. But critics say the agreement is unprecedented and potentially illegal. This new settlement, says the US government is forever barred and precluded from prosecuting or pursuing tax claims against President Donald Trump, his family members, and the Trump Organization. The settlement signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche only applies to existing audits, not future ones, according to *** Justice Department spokesperson. That spokesperson telling us that these waivers are customary, adding, quote, there would be little point in settling several significant claims if either party could simply turn around and seek to initiate more adverse claims. But Brandon Duboe with NYU's Tax Law Center has *** different take. Use of the tax and legal system. Dubose says the agreement attempts to effectively erase potentially outstanding tax liabilities or penalties. That's giving the president and his affiliates *** different set of rules than everyday taxpayers. Dubose says federal law prohibits the president and White House staff from interfering with IRS audits, which he says raises questions about what exactly led up to this agreement. I wasn't involved in the settlement. I could have been involved, but I didn't choose to be. Debo says the IRS will play *** role in determining whether or not the terms of that settlement are enforced. DOJ does not have authority to offer this extraordinary concession to the president, his family, and his entities on its own. The IRS did not immediately respond to my request for comment, and the White House referred my questions on this to the Trump Organization. Reporting in Washington, I'm Jackie DeFusco. Updated: 9:11 PM EDT May 20, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ By Louis Jacobson, PolitiFact Advertisement Trump IRS settlement: Why $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund lacks legal precedent Updated: 9:11 PM EDT May 20, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ By Louis Jacobson

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