«It’s awfully strange to make a decision where I’m essentially paying myself.»
$230 million in damages
Donald Trump announced that he made an «awfully strange decision» by asking the Justice Department to pay him $230 million in damages over the investigations conducted against him.
«I’m essentially paying myself»
Trump confirmed that he would personally approve the $230 million request, saying, «I’m the one that makes the decision, and that decision would have to go across my desk,» while admitting that «it’s awfully strange to make a decision where I’m essentially paying myself.»
Led by loyal allies
Trump’s $230 million claim is expected to meet little resistance within the Justice Department, now led by loyal allies. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump’s former defense lawyer, and Civil Division chief Stanley Woodward Jr., who represented several Trump aides, will likely approve it quickly, especially after Pam Bondi fired the agency’s top ethics adviser in July.
Two FBI investigations
Trump is seeking payment for two FBI investigations: the 2016 probe into Russian election interference and possible ties to his campaign, and the 2022 search for classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida residence and private club. «I was damaged very greatly, and any money I would get, I would give to charity,» Trump explained, justifying his demand for compensation.
The 2016 election
In 2016, the FBI launched an investigation into possible Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election and potential links between Moscow and Donald Trump’s campaign. The probe, known as «Crossfire Hurricane,» aimed to determine whether campaign members coordinated with Russia to influence the election’s outcome.
A criminal conspiracy
The FBI investigation determined that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to influence the outcome in Donald Trump’s favor. However, investigators did not establish sufficient evidence of a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russian officials. The probe highlighted vulnerabilities in U.S. election security.
Mar-a-Lago
In August 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida to recover classified documents taken from the White House. Agents found hundreds of sensitive records, including top-secret files, prompting a federal investigation into potential mishandling of government documents and obstruction of justice.
40 counts
The Mar-a-Lago investigation concluded that Donald Trump had retained classified government materials after leaving office, including documents related to national security. Prosecutors alleged that he obstructed efforts to retrieve them, leading to federal charges. The case raised significant questions about presidential accountability and the handling of sensitive information. In 2023, Donald Trump was charged with 40 counts over mishandling classified documents and obstructing justice. The case collapsed in July 2024 when Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed it, ruling Special Counsel Jack Smith’s appointment unconstitutional. In early 2025, remaining charges against Trump’s aides were also dropped, ending the prosecution.
The partial demolition
The $230 million dollars request, which shocked many ethics experts, comes as Trump has begun the partial demolition of the White House’s East Wing to build a $250 million ballroom. Trump, addressing the irony of being both the president and the beneficiary of the payment, remarked, «It sort of looks bad, I’m suing myself, right?»
«Yours truly»
Trump, who previously said the project would be funded by «Yours truly,» now suggests that the money he is seeking from the Justice Department could help finance his controversial White House ballroom. Trump declared on Truth Social, «I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American taxpayer! The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous patriots, great American companies, and, yours truly.»
The day before
The post struck many as ironic, given that it was published only a day before Trump requested $230 million from the Justice Department. Although his 2022 lawsuit was dismissed, Trump has revived his grievances as president, now seeking $230 million from the Justice Department. He argues that the FBI investigations, including the Mar-a-Lago search, caused him significant personal and political harm, damages he says justify financial compensation.