Donald Trump may have landed the biggest deal of his life.
A controversial settlement that avoids politically unpalatable transfers of Treasury funds to Trump exempts the president and his family from a tax audit that could cost $100 million, according to The New York Times.
The tax relief document, written by acting attorney Todd Blanche, who has served as Mr. Trump’s personal lawyer, was released a day after the Justice Department agreed to create a $1.8 billion fund to benefit Mr. Trump’s allies.
After political backlash from Republicans and others, Blanche declared he would not proceed with establishing the fund, but continues to pursue lawsuits questioning its legality. Today, a judge in one of the cases extended an indefinite stay on the funds. But President Trump’s tax deal stands.
Let’s take a closer look at how he accomplished it.
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Here is the timeline of events:
1929: U.S. Supreme Court says department heads are “presidential alter egos” in Myers v. United States
January 29, 2026: President Trump has sued the IRS and Treasury Department for $10 billion over the leak of tax returns by a former contractor who worked for Booz Allen.
January 31st: Asked by a reporter what it’s like to be on both sides of a lawsuit, Trump replied, “…I have to think about reconciliation with myself…”
April 24th: The judge in the case questioned the legality of the lawsuit, given that President Trump was on both sides, and ordered both parties to submit briefs setting out their positions on the issue by May 20.
May 18th: The Department of Justice announced a $1.8 billion fund settlement with President Trump for “victims of illegal conduct and weapons use.”
May 19th: According to the New York Times and ProPublica, Trump’s personal lawyer, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, released the tax liability for Trump and his family, which could have cost him $100 million if he lost.
May 20th: Two police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 filed a lawsuit against the fund, calling it “the most brazen act of presidential corruption in this century.”
May 22nd: A separate lawsuit has been filed in Virginia, alleging that the fund was created without Congressional approval under a collusive agreement between President Trump and his administration.
May 27th: Thirty-five former federal judges are asking the Miami federal judge who closed Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS to reopen the case in a court filing.
June 3rd: Following pushback from Republican senators, AG Blanche told reporters that the fund would not move forward, but President Trump’s tax agreement remains in place.
June 12th: The judge in the Virginia case blocked the fund indefinitely and gave Mr. Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent one week to sign an affidavit saying they would not proceed with establishing the fund or the lawsuit would continue.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
