Wertheimer Political Report, May 21, 2026
DEMOCRACY 21
Fred discusses Trump corruption and the “Slush Fund” on the “Politics War Room with James Carville and Al Hunt.”
TRUMPWATCH 2.0
Trump’s $1.8 Billion Fund Tests Constitutional Limits.
“The deal the president reached with his own subordinates relies on a mechanism created by Congress that legal experts had warned was subject to manipulation.” – New York Times
Trump approval among Republicans at new low in Fox News poll.
“A new Fox News poll shows President Trump’s approval rating has reached an all-time low with Republicans as the issues of affordability, job growth and the economy remain top of mind for voters across the country.” – The Hill
There Has Never Been an Example of Presidential Corruption Like This.
“Has there ever been an episode of presidential corruption so blatant and threatening to constitutional order? Certainly not in modern times. President Trump’s Justice Department is using taxpayer money to create a $1.8 billion political slush fund. Ostensibly set up to compensate those who the department claims have “suffered weaponization and lawfare,” it will in fact reward loyalists willing to defy the law and commit violence on behalf of the president.” – New York Times
Trump’s Handling Of Economy Hits All-Time Low, Quinnipiac Poll Finds.
“More than two months after the U.S. launched an attack on Iran and with a jump in oil prices, one third of voters (33 percent) approve of the way President Donald Trump is handling the economy and 64 percent disapprove, the lowest approval on the economy Trump has received in either of his terms as president, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University national poll of registered voters released today.” – Quinnipiac Poll
Trump’s allies are already lining up to apply to his $1.8 billion fund.
“Jan. 6 rioters, George Santos, Mark McCloskey and Rod Blagojevich: A wide range of figures are eyeing the president’s new settlement fund.” – Washington Post
Judge orders Trump administration to comply with Presidential Records Act.
“The DOJ had issued an opinion that the Watergate-era law is unconstitutional.” – ABC News
The Trump-Xi narrative isn’t true. America keeps falling uphill.
“Hold off on those announcements of the dawn of the Chinese century.” – Washington Post
Justices Hint at Strains as Supreme Court Comes Under Scrutiny.
“Traveling across the country, justices defend the role of the court even as strained relations among its members emerge in writing and remarks.” – New York Times
New York Times Journalist Fires Back At Trump: ‘Reporting Is Not Treason.’
“‘The president seems to conflate news he doesn’t want to hear with treason and that’s not the case,’ the reporter said.” – HuffPost
MEANWHILE, ON CAPITOL HILL
Ballroom won’t be funded after Senate GOP drops $1 billion Trump security request. Multiple Republican senators objected to sending taxpayer dollars to the president’s East Wing revamp. – Politico
Republicans Balk at Trump Fund, Weighing Ways to Limit It. G.O.P. senators were exploring using their immigration bill to fence off a fund the president wants to tap to pay people who claim government mistreatment. – New York Times
Republicans cancel votes amid fight over Trump’s ‘anti-weaponization’ fund. The Senate had planned to vote on a bill to fund ICE and border patrol through the end of Trump’s term but scuttled it after the president sought to add $1.8 billion for the DOJ fund. – NBC News
GOP’s Thune balks after Trump demands ouster of Senate parliamentarian. The president doesn’t want to change the bill related to funds for his ballroom. He would rather change the parliamentarian. – MS Now
Bipartisan House effort aims to kill “anti-weaponization” fund. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Tom Suozzi are drafting legislation as Senate Republicans consider curbs. – Politico
The 10 most vulnerable House members, less than 6 months from Election Day. Mid-decade redistricting jeopardizes reelections of many lawmakers, mostly Democrats. – Roll Call
MONEY IN POLITICS, VOTING, ELECTION & OTHER RELATED INFO
The Race to Control Congress. We look at where the parties stand leading up to the midterms. – New York Times
Disputed Democratic autopsy of 2024 loss says White House failed Harris. The Democratic National Committee chair said the report was released “for full transparency,” but the document opens with the DNC disavowing its contents. – Washington Post
A $5 Million Donation From Big Tobacco Preceded F.D.A. Vape Decision. Reynolds American’s contribution to MAGA Inc. came about one week before the Trump administration announced a new policy on e-cigarettes the company had sought. – New York Times
A mysterious, GOP-linked super PAC is roiling a Texas Democratic primary. It’s the latest in a string of interventions by the new super PAC that appears to be trying to elevate weaker Democrats against Republicans to ease the GOP’s path in November. – Politico
