There was once a time when a presidential scandal could end a political career overnight—but not President Donald Trump. Just days after the Justice Department announced a controversial $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” tied to Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax returns, the president continues to bulldoze through political moments once considered unthinkable. From inflammatory social media posts to public attacks on political opponents, Trump has repeatedly weathered turmoil that would have likely crippled any previous presidency.
To grasp the scale of his political norm-breaking, we rounded up 13 of Trump’s most reckless moments that had folks clutching their pearls, to say the least.
The Lawsuit Against His Own Government
In January, Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and the Treasury Department over the leak of his 2019 tax returns. He later dropped the case in exchange for a formal apology. Critics say the move is highly unusual for a sitting president, calling it an aggressive and petty escalation against federal agencies.
The “Anti-Weaponization Fund” Controversy
The Justice Department’s “Anti-Weaponization Fund” was created as part of a settlement linked to Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns, created to compensate those wrongly prosecuted by the Biden administration, per NBC News. The shocking move sparked intense backlash, warning it could open the door to taxpayer-funded payments for individuals tied to the infamous January 6 attack.
“Blatantly Racist” Posts That Sparked Backlash
In a now-deleted post, Donald Trump sparked widespread outrage when he posted on social media depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes, per CBS News. The NAACP clapped back immediately, calling the content out as “blatantly racist,” doubling down that the post was “despicable.”
Running a Presidency on Truth Social
Donald Trump is known for announcing major political decisions, policy shifts, and administration actions directly on social media—something virtually unheard of in previous presidencies. Even wilder, many of those announcements play out on Truth Social, making him one of the first modern presidents to govern from his own social media app.
Dragging His Political Opponents
Trump has repeatedly used social media and public remarks to casually insult and attack political opponents, often in real time. Most notably, he’s repeatedly dragged Kamala Harris, he’s also taken jabs at Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and more.
Suspicious Crypto Ties Under Trump’s Orbit
According to a Public Citizen report, President Donald Trump and his sons are linked to an estimated $1 billion stake in World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture they launched with Steve Witkoff. The project is tied to Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, which pleaded guilty in 2023 to sanctions and money laundering violations linked in part to Iran, per the report.
The Stormy Daniels Hush Money Case
Of course, none of us will forget that before taking office, Donald Trump arranged a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in October 2016 to buy her silence regarding an alleged 2006 affair. And, well… it didn’t stay silent for long.
Sending the National Guard Into American Cities
Trump has authorized the deployment of National Guard forces into several U.S. cities amid periods of unrest, including Chicago. The move has drawn criticism from opponents who argue it escalates tensions and blurs the line between federal and local authority.
Bulldozing Passed State Governors
President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, and Memphis has been widely described by historians and legal experts as unprecedented. It also marks the first time since the 1960s that federal authorities have activated National Guard forces while bypassing the approval of state governors.
A Deal Sparking Questions of Bribery
President Trump’s acceptance of a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet—valued at a reported $400 million—from the Qatari royal family in 2025 sparked a political firestorm. According to Common Cause, democrats and other critics condemned the lofty jet as a bribe, despite the White House and Qatari officials framed it as a legal donation.
Redefining Federal Institutions
Trump has repeatedly engaged in efforts to rename or reframe major government institutions and federal assets, often reviving or reshaping long-standing titles. These changes are outlined in “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness,” a pattern of rebranding Trump’s White House seemingly leans into.
When Trump Started Selling Sneakers
Trump stepped into the sneaker game with his “Never Surrender” shoes, adding yet another branded product to his lineup of business ventures. Folks have questioned the priorities here—because you’d think a sitting president might have bigger things to deal with than launching footwear.
Rolling Back DEI Policies
President Trump has ended all DEI hiring within the public sector! pic.twitter.com/fT9V2EVdzH
— Catholics for Catholics
(@CforCatholics) May 21, 2026
Through a series of executive orders signed in January 2025, the Trump administration moved to dismantle federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The shift has halted or reshaped efforts across government agencies aimed at advancing workplace equity and inclusion, impacting a wide range of public programs that affect Black folks.
Trumps Attempts to Erase Black History
On Trump’s mission in “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” Trump demanded the Smithsonian eliminate exhibits he deemed “divisive” or “partisan” by executive order, singling out the National Museum of African American History and Culture, putting Black history—from our struggles to our milestones—in jeopardy.
