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

President Donald Trump's $1.776 billion fund to pay allies and individuals claiming past administrations wronged them has drawn criticism as corruption. Academics compare the initiative to the 19th-century spoils system, where political loyalty determined government job appointments. The Department of Justice's 'anti-weaponization fund,' announced in May 2026, is part of a lawsuit settlement involving Trump and the IRS.