# Trump's $1.776 Billion Grift & How We Got Here Explained by Driftglass

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-nicole-sandler-show-1065430/trump-s-1-776-billion-grift-how-we-got-here-explained-by-driftglass
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-nicole-sandler-show-1065430/trump-s-1-776-billion-grift-how-we-got-here-explained-by-driftglass.md
Podcast: [The Nicole Sandler Show](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-nicole-sandler-show-1065430)
Published: 2026-05-20T22:12:08+00:00
Episode link: https://nicolesandler.com/5-20-26
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/audio3.redcircle.com/episodes/080d7fab-51bb-4edc-ae7a-5e8ef7c3426a/stream.mp3
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Duration seconds: 4003

## Resource

I'm Nicole Sandler, and today I nearly lost my mind before I even got to my guest. Between Trump dropping his IRS lawsuit only to magically produce a $1.776 BILLION "weaponization fund" to pay off his convicted cronies — oh, and a little addendum granting himself and his whole family immunity from tax prosecution forever — I needed someone smarter than me to talk me off the ledge. That someone is Driftglass — brilliant OG Progressive political blogger and co-host (with the incomparable Blue Gal Fran) of the Professional Left Podcast. And he delivered. We trace exactly how we got to this insane moment in history: from Bill Clinton's budget surplus (say it with us — surplus) to George W. Bush blowing it all up, to Republicans meeting at a DC restaurant the day Obama was inaugurated to plot his destruction, to the rise of the birther king himself, to here. It's a long story. But Driftglass tells it better than anyone. Also: eight Senate Democrats voted to confirm a judicial nominee who wouldn't say Biden won in 2020. We have thoughts. Many thoughts. Subscribe. Tell your friends. We'll keep going as long as we can. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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## Transcript

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