Trump ‘slush fund’ echoes scorned 19th-century spoils system, academics say

President Donald Trump's $1.776 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund, criticized as a 'slush fund,' has drawn condemnation for rewarding allies who claim past administrations wronged them. Academics compare this to the 19th-century spoils system, where presidents like Andrew Jackson distributed jobs to political supporters. The fund, part of a Department of Justice settlement, faces scrutiny for delivering taxpayer dollars directly to individuals.