Former President Donald Trump is once again presenting himself as a victim, this time by invoking the term “reparations” to argue that the federal government owes him compensation for years of what he describes as unfair treatment.
The audacious comparison immediately drew criticism, especially as Black Americans continue to press for reparations linked to slavery and generations of systemic discrimination.
In remarks to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump contended that the federal government reversed its stance on a tax dispute after he entered politics, insisting officials had unfairly targeted him for years and that he deserved compensation for the experiences he endured.
The remarks arrived as Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche withdrew the administration’s proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund and as Trump once again defended the controversial settlement tied to his suit against the Internal Revenue Service.
“First of all, I had a ten-year case that was settled until I announced I was running for office. It was a settled arrangement, like I’ve always done. I’ve been audited every year my entire life, and I have many wealthy friends who were never audited,” Trump explained.
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“They were never audited. I was audited, and my deal was settled in writing. It was settled, subject to final approval. Then I announced I was running for president, and all they did was harass me with it. They ended the settlement and they went after it, and they targeted me illegally. They did a lot of bad things to me, like they did to other people. And I was treated very unfairly by the IRS. I was — it was weaponized against me.”
He then asserted that he deserved compensation.
“And what they did here was very, I frankly, uh, if you discuss reparations or if you discuss payment… what they did to me, I had a very strong case against them,” Trump claimed.
Trump’s audacious comments immediately drew criticism from advocates of reparations, who argued that the comparison trivializes the decades-long effort to secure compensation for descendants of enslaved Black Americans and reignites scrutiny over a tax settlement that continues to shield Trump and his family business from IRS audits.
The proposal had sparked bipartisan backlash, with opponents saying it could have benefited people convicted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol whom Trump later pardoned.
Blanche withdrew the fund in a letter to Republican senators whose support he needs for confirmation as attorney general, according to The Associated Press.
Nevertheless, a separate clause negotiated as part of Trump’s settlement with the IRS remains in effect, preserving retroactive audit protections for Trump, his sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., and the Trump Organization.
The settlement arises from Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, which accused the agency of mishandling his confidential tax information after an IRS contractor leaked tax-return data affecting more than 400,000 taxpayers. Trump and his family sought roughly $10 billion in damages.
In a ruling last month, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams determined that the lawsuit had been filed for an “improper purpose.” While she did not void the settlement, she said the government could not present the agreement as the product of a legitimate legal process. Trump has appealed the decision.
Legal experts and lawmakers from both parties have questioned whether the audit protections are lawful, pointing to a post-Watergate statute designed to prevent presidents from influencing IRS investigations.
Asked about Blanche’s dealings with Senate Republicans, Trump insisted that his involvement had been minimal.
“I didn’t review it. All I can say is that Todd Blanche is outstanding. He’ll do an excellent job,” Trump said. “People know it. And I understand there’s been a sign-off, but I’m not aware of what was agreed. I think Todd Blanche agreed to reaffirm things he’s already stated.”
Trump continued to back the proposed compensation fund, saying he remains supportive of the concept because it would aid people he believes were unfairly targeted by prior administrations.
“It’s meant for… individuals who have been treated unfairly, who have been weaponized by a corrupt government, as we saw with Obama, and as we saw with Biden. You faced a government that was corrupt in both cases,” Trump asserted.
His remarks about reparations quickly drew backlash online.
One social media user urged, “Ask him about reparations for former slaves. Ask him.”
Another commented, “Yes, Trump was treated as badly, or worse than… slaves in America.” A third simply wrote, “Unbelievable.”
Yet another user added, “The billions he’s earned this term aren’t enough to fill that hole of narcissistic need?”
Dan Greenberg of the Cato Institute described the immunity deal as “the product of an illegal settlement,” noting, “The good news is that Todd Blanche confirmed in writing that the anti-weaponization slush fund is dead. The bad news is that tax immunity for the president, his sons, and his family business remains.”
