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

President Donald Trump's $1.776 billion 'anti-weaponization fund' to pay allies claiming past administrations wronged them has drawn criticism as a 'slush fund.' Academics compare the initiative to the 19th-century spoils system, where political leaders rewarded supporters with government jobs. The Department of Justice announced the fund in May 2026 as part of a lawsuit settlement involving Trump's tax returns.