A settlement between the president and the Justice Department created a nearly $1.8 billion fund to pay people the administration says were targeted by government weaponization. Critics said the arrangement is unprecedented because a president sued and settled with his own administration and called the fund a slush fund for political allies. Media coverage identified multiple MAGA-affiliated groups and individuals that may seek payouts, including January 6 rioters, 2020 election deniers, and fake electors. Pro-MAGA outlets such as One America News Network were mentioned, and its lawyer said the network is considering filing a claim. Fox News was contacted but did not respond. MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell praised the fund and said his company lost about $400 million after the 2020 election.
"Trump's DOJ stirred widespread controversy this week by settling the president's lawsuit against the IRS and creating a nearly $1.8 billion fund to pay out anyone the admin finds had the government weaponized against them. Critics of the settlement have decried its unprecedented nature, a president suing and settling with his own administration, and denounced the slush fund as a gift to MAGA allies."
"The report noted that January 6th rioters, 2020 election deniers and so-called fake electors, and pro-MAGA media outlets may all file claims. Among the media outlets mentioned in the report is One America News Network, OAN. A lawyer for the avowedly pro-MAGA network, Chris Babcock, told CNN the company is seriously considering pursuing rights under this fund and will make a decision shortly about whether to file a claim."
"OAN settled lawsuits related to 2020 pro-Trump election conspiracy theories with both Dominion and Smartmatic. CNN also reached out Fox News, which settled a lawsuit with Dominion for a whopping $787 million, for comment if it would also pursue payment through the fund, but did not receive a reply."
"Election conspiracy theorist and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, who also owns Lindell TV, praised the fund as looking out for these people that were attacked. CNN also reported that Lindell believes his company lost $400 million due to what he views as government weaponization in the aftermath of the 2020 election."
#weaponization-fund #maga-media #election-conspiracy-theories #january-6 #justice-department-settlement
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