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8:35 AM ET, May 20, 2026

memeorandum

 Top Items: 
Alex Rogers / Financial Times:
Donald Trump and sons to be ‘forever’ exempt from tax audits  —  Justice department deal comes day after government set up $1.8bn fund to pay president's allies hit by alleged ‘lawfare’  —  US tax authorities will be barred from pursuing claims against Donald Trump, his eldest sons …
RELATED:
Ryan J. Reilly / NBC News:
DOJ official told GOP ally that big payouts were coming for Jan. 6 defendants  —  Months before the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund was announced, Ed Martin predicted Capitol rioters would get millions, even if it took until 2028, two people told NBC News.
Josh Gerstein / Politico:
Justice Department expands Trump settlement to cover his tax audits … The waiver specifically encompasses “tax returns filed before the effective date” of the settlement, which was Monday.  —  Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed the addendum, dated Tuesday.
New York Times:
I.R.S. to Drop Audits of Trump and Family  —  As part of the Justice Department's compensation fund deal, officials vowed not to pursue any matters, including those involving President Trump's tax returns, that are pending.  —  The Justice Department has granted President Trump …
Greg Sargent / New Republic:
Trump's Angry Jan. 6 Tirade Accidentally Hands Dems Midterm Weapon  —  Now that Donald Trump has created his very own political slush fund with $1.8 billion in taxpayer money to hand out to allies, the very least that Democrats can do right now is this: Do everything possible to force Republicans to vote on it—over and over again.
Ryan J. Reilly / NBC News:
John Adams quote projected on DOJ building in protest of $1.8B fund  —  “A government of laws, not of men,” reads the phrase that lit up the side of the Justice Department on Tuesday.  —  WASHINGTON — Opponents of a $1.776 billion taxpayer-backed “anti-weaponization” fund projected a quote …
New York Times:
I.R.S. Prohibited From Pursuing Audits of Trump and His Family  —  As part of the Justice Department's compensation fund deal, officials vowed not to pursue any matters, including those involving President Trump's tax returns, that are pending.  —  The Justice Department on Tuesday expanded …
Politico:
Trump's $1.8 billion ‘lawfare’ fund is making Republicans nervous … “There is no level below which these folks will not go,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I) said in an interview.  “It is just disgusting, having come off Law Enforcement Week, to have set up a slush fund to pay off people who attack police officers.”
Liz Dye / Public Notice:   Trump's $1.8b slush fund could turn into giant can of worms
Bloomberg Law:
DOJ Anti-Weaponization Fund Lacks Safeguards From Past Programs
Discussion: The Hill
NBC News:   Longtime Trump ally Michael Caputo files first known claim for ‘anti-weaponization’ fund
Torrie Herrington / NOTUS:
IRS ‘Forever Barred’ From Investigating Trump After DOJ Expands Settlement
Jenna Monnin / NOTUS:
Trump's Anti-Weaponization Fund Gets Its First Applicant
Discussion: Raw Story
Stephen Groves / Associated Press:
Senate advances bill aimed at ending Iran war as Cassidy, after primary loss, flips to support it  —  The Senate advanced legislation Tuesday that seeks to force President Donald Trump to withdraw from the Iran war, as a growing number of Republicans defied the president's wishes.
RELATED:
Sarah Fortinsky / The Hill:
Trump scores major victory with Massie's primary defeat in Kentucky  —  Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is projected to lose his Kentucky House primary race to President Trump-endorsed challenger Ed Gallrein, according to Decision Desk HQ, a major victory for the president in his bid to oust Republican lawmakers who openly defy him.
Minnah Arshad / Zeteo:
BREAKING: Thomas Massie Loses Primary in Big Win for Trump and AIPAC  —  Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie lost his bid for re-election on Tuesday, falling to a Trump-backed challenger after pro-Israel donors poured millions into the race to depose the seven-term MAGA defector, making it the most expensive House primary on record.
New York Times:
Republican Senators Are Livid at Trump's Endorsement of Paxton
Lisa Kashinsky / Politico:
Trump picks off Massie in Kentucky
Alec Hernandez / Politico:
Another Trump enemy falls as Brad Raffensperger loses Georgia primary
NBC News:
Senate advances resolution to end Iran war as GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy flips to support it
Layla A. Jones / Talking Points Memo:
Raffensperger, Who Wouldn't Steal Election For Trump, Loses Governor Race to Two Election Denialists
Bloomberg:
US Senate Signals Rising Opposition to Trump's War in Iran
Erin Doherty / Politico:
Keisha Lance Bottoms wins Democratic nomination for governor in Georgia
Henry J. Gomez / NBC News:
Trump-backed Andy Barr wins GOP nomination for Mitch McConnell's Senate seat in Kentucky
NOTUS:
Trump's Paxton Endorsement Sends Shockwaves Through Senate Republicans
Connor O'Brien / Politico:
Senate advances anti-Iran war measure in surprise blow to Trump
Gabby Birenbaum / The Texas Tribune:
Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Senate GOP runoff
Adam Edelman / NBC News:
Republicans Burt Jones and Rick Jackson advance to a runoff in the Georgia governor primary, setting up a MAGA clash
The Colorado Sun:
Jared Polis says his Tina Peters decision “will be remembered fondly,” despite growing outrage  —  Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday said he doesn't regret his decision to commute the prison sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, despite widespread condemnation from Democrats …
Sarah Perez / TechCrunch:
Google Search as you know it is over  —  The era of the “ten blue links” is officially over.  —  Google unveiled on Tuesday an AI-powered overhaul of Search centered around a reimagined “intelligent search box” — what the company describes as the biggest change to this entry point …
New York Times:
Early War Goal Was to Install Hard Line Former President as Iran's Leader  —  An Israeli strike designed to free Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from house arrest in Tehran, U.S. officials said, was part of an effort to bring about regime change and put him in power.  —  Days after Israeli strikes …
Shannon Butler / WFTV:
Former ‘gay cure’ ministry leader Alan Chambers charged in underage sex sting  —  DEPUTIES SAY ALAN CHAMBERS COMMUNICATED FOR MONTHS WITH SOMEONE HE BELIEVED WAS A 14-YEAR-OLD BOY  —  ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A former leader of an Orlando-based ministry that claimed for years it could cure homosexuality …
Discussion: PinkNews, RNS and Advocate
Ben Berkowitz / Axios:
All 50 states top $4 a gallon gas as Iran impacts linger  —  All 50 states have average gas prices above $4 a gallon, AAA said Wednesday, with seven now topping $5 a gallon. … - California is the nation's high, at $6.15 per gallon, while Georgia is the lowest at $4.01 a gallon.
Patrick McNeil / nomination notes:
Eight Democrats vote to confirm a lifetime judge who wouldn't say Biden won in 2020  —  The Senate on Tuesday afternoon voted (52-38) to confirm the nomination of Sheria Clarke to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.  Eight Democrats voted in favor of confirmation.
Discussion: Mediaite
 
 
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 More Items: 
Washington Examiner:
Trump's slush fund is no better than Obama's
Holly Baxter / The Independent:
Trump called a sudden, urgent press conference. What followed was a fever dream
Discussion: The Hill
Washington Post:
Intelligence official Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, a Gabbard ally, leaves two jobs
Discussion: Raw Story
 Earlier Items: 
Dan Diamond / Washington Post:
House GOP resurrects Trump's plan for year-round daylight saving time
Reuters:
Exclusive: US plans to shrink forces available to NATO during crises, sources say
Discussion: Bloomberg, Fox News and UPI
 

 
From Mediagazer:

Gene Maddaus / Variety:
A judge orders a temporary halt to the Paramount-WBD merger, as a 12-state coalition, led by California, argues it would violate federal antitrust law

Brooks Barnes / New York Times:
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey nets $124.5M at the domestic box office and $264.1M worldwide on its opening weekend; Universal spent ~$250M to make the film

K.J. Yossman / Variety:
Holly Willoughby, until recently the host of ITV's daytime show This Morning, plans a lifestyle series on YouTube, as the platform dominates viewing figures

 
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