Why do we have to pay into the new Anti-Weaponization Fund?
May 29, 2026•40 min•Ep. 142
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Summary
Journalist Jesse Eisinger from ProPublica explains the origins of Trump's "anti-weaponization fund," tracing it back to an IRS leak exposing widespread tax avoidance by billionaires, including Trump. The discussion highlights Trump's unprecedented $10 billion lawsuit against the federal government he ran, which resulted in a secretive, discretionary fund. This episode explores the constitutional crisis, potential for abuse, and the broader implications for tax policy, government transparency, and the future of American democracy.Episode description
The President has created a 1.776 billion dollar fund of taxpayer money he can direct to whoever he wants. Huh? How did this happen, and what might happen next? We talk to Pro Publica’s Jesse Eisinger, an investigative reporter who has played a strange role in this whole story.
Listen to our series with Jesse: Why is it so hard to tax billionaires? (Part 1) and (Part 2)
Check out the new ProPublica podcast Paper Trail.
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