President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. government owes him “a lot of money” for the Justice Department’s past investigations into his conduct, adding that any potential payout would ultimately require his approval.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump responded to questions about reports that he had filed administrative claims before his reelection seeking roughly $230 million in damages. The claims reportedly relate to the FBI’s 2022 search of his Mar-a-Lago estate for classified documents and the earlier investigation into alleged ties between his 2016 campaign and Russia.
Trump said he was unaware of the specific figures involved but asserted that any decision would “have to go across [his] desk.” He also suggested he might donate any awarded money or use it to fund renovations at the White House.
The Justice Department has established procedures for handling such claims, though it is unclear how far Trump’s filings have advanced. A department spokesperson emphasized that all officials follow the guidance of career ethics advisors, while the White House referred questions back to the department.
One of Trump’s former defense lawyers in the Mar-a-Lago case, Todd Blanche, now serves as Deputy Attorney General, and the current Associate Attorney General, Stanley Woodward, previously represented Trump’s co-defendant Walt Nauta.
According to the New York Times, one claim filed in August 2024 seeks damages over what Trump’s legal team calls a “malicious prosecution” intended to harm his 2024 campaign. Another claim targets the Russia investigation, which continues to frustrate the president despite its conclusion years ago.
Trump joked about the unusual nature of his position, saying, “I’m suing myself. I’ll say, ‘Give me X dollars,’ and I don’t know what to do with the lawsuit. It’s a great lawsuit — and now I won.”
