Former DOJ Counsel Calls Trump IRS Settlement Most Corrupt Action in American History
"Brendan Ballou, who's a former Justice Department special counsel, described the slush fund as the most corrupt action in American history."
About this episode
On this episode of The Rest Is Politics, hosts Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart delivered a sweeping indictment of Donald Trump's presidency, declaring him the most corrupt president in American history and arguing that the US Constitution itself has become a vehicle for unprecedented corruption rather than a safeguard against it. The hosts detailed how Trump has pioneered a new form of corruption that exploits private sector relationships, crypto markets, and foreign governments rather than traditional government looting—citing examples like a $1.776 billion IRS settlement creating a Trump-controlled slush fund with minimal oversight, Eric Trump's investment fund growing from $300 million to $1.3 billion in one year, and Qatar gifting a $400 million plane. Stewart specifically blamed conservative Supreme Court justices for creating legal frameworks that allow Trump to prosecute enemies, pardon cronies, and grant himself immunity, calling on Americans to fundamentally change their Constitution. Campbell compared Trump's corruption to global autocrats like Putin and Suharto, warning that Britain could face similar risks if Nigel Farage's pattern of financial irregularities isn't properly scrutinized. In the second half, journalist Vicki Spratt presented exclusive Ipsos polling on Gen Z revealing surprising findings: young women are radicalizing leftward with Green Party support jumping from 2% to 23%, while young men show no similar drift to Reform; Gen Z's top concerns are inflation, immigration, and the economy rather than housing or climate; and economic pessimism is at historic highs with 72% expecting conditions to worsen. The hosts and Spratt discussed how only 34% of 18-24 year-olds feel lucky to have been born in their era compared to 67% of those over 65, reflecting deep generational pessimism about jobs, housing affordability, and AI's threat to employment prospects.
Key takeaways
- Stewart argued the US Constitution is broken and enables Trump to exploit executive powers through Supreme Court rulings granting immunity and unlimited pardon authority.
- Campbell and Stewart declared Trump the most corrupt US president ever, surpassing historical figures like Grant and Harding through exploitation of private sector and foreign government relationships.
- Former DOJ counsel Brendan Ballou called Trump's $1.776 billion IRS settlement creating a presidential slush fund potentially the most corrupt action in American history.
- Exclusive Ipsos polling revealed Gen Z women are radicalizing leftward with Green Party support jumping from 2% to 23%, contradicting narratives about young men moving to Reform.
- Gen Z's top concerns are inflation, immigration, and the economy, with 72% expecting economic conditions to worsen and only 34% of 18-24 year-olds feeling lucky about their birth era.
- Eric Trump's investment fund grew from $300 million to $1.3 billion in approximately one year, exemplifying Trump family enrichment through presidential connections.
- Polling showed Keir Starmer has just 18% satisfaction among Gen Z with 75% dissatisfaction, while Andy Burnham topped favorability ratings among potential leaders.