President Donald Trump speaks as FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi look on at a press conference in the Oval Office on October 15, 2025. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said tardy Tuesday that he personally owes a huge payment to the Justice Department and will have the authority to approve it, saying he suffered “very serious damage” during the government’s investigation into his alleged collection of secret documents and Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Responding to a question about reports that he was seeking as much as $230 million in damages from the Justice Department, Trump replied: “I don’t know what the numbers are. I don’t even talk to them about it. All I know is that they would owe me a lot of money, but I’m not looking for it.”
“I would give it to charity or something. I would give it to charity, any money. But look what they did. They rigged the election,” Trump said, apparently referring to his false claim that President Joe Biden did not win the 2020 election. Trump’s attempt to overturn the election results, including inciting a riot at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, was the subject of a separate federal investigation.
The situation sheds featherlight on ethical concerns that former Trump defenders who now hold top positions at the Justice Department would likely play a role in the president’s decision to receive the money.
Trump claimed he would make the final decision on whether to pay himself compensation.
“It’s interesting because I’m the one making the decision, right? And you know that decision would have to go to my desk, and it’s terribly weird to make a decision that I’m paying for.” – Trump said CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Tuesday evening after Diwali celebrations at the White House.
New York Times reported on Tuesday that Trump filed lawsuits in 2023 and 2024 seeking damages for violations of his rights during the special counsel’s investigation into whether his 2016 presidential campaign colluded with Russia and for violations of his privacy when federal agents searched his Mar-a-Lago, Florida, residence in 2022 searching for secret documents.
“But I have been hurt very badly and any money I receive I will donate to charity,” he added.
The Justice Department declined to comment on the status of Trump’s claims.
“In each case, all Justice Department officials follow the guidance of professional ethics officials,” said department spokesman Chad Gilmartin.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has been a staunch supporter and legal adviser to Trump in numerous investigations, including the 2016 Russian meddling probe. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended Trump during a government investigation into secret documents kept at Mar-a-Lago after the president’s first term.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Stanley Woodward, a former defense attorney for Trump’s co-defendant in the secret documents investigation, now heads the Justice Department’s civil division, which handles compensation claims.
When asked Wednesday morning, House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters he didn’t know the details but largely defended Trump.
“I haven’t talked to him about it. I know he thinks he deserves the refund. I heard yesterday that if he gets the refund, he’s going to consider donating it to charity. I mean, he doesn’t need the proceeds. But we’re for the rule of law, we’re for what’s fair and just. And this is just absurd. As noted several times this morning, they’re attacking him for everything he does. It doesn’t matter what that is,” the Louisiana Republican said.
Jennifer Shutt contributed to this report.
