Trump, IRS Enter Settlement Talks Over $10 Billion Tax Returns Lawsuit
The president requested a 90-day court pause.
www.theepochtimes.comShort answer: As of mid-May 2026, settlement talks between Donald Trump and the IRS were reported to be progressing, with prosecutors and Trump’s team discussing terms and deadlines for potential resolution of the roughly $10 billion lawsuit over leaked tax information. Several outlets cited court filings and internal DOJ discussions as the basis for those reports.
Details and context
- What’s happening: Reports indicate Trump and the IRS are engaging in settlement discussions aimed at resolving the $10 billion lawsuit tied to the alleged leak of Trump’s tax information during his first term. These talks were described as ongoing in court filings and media coverage in April–May 2026.[1][2][5][9]
- Possible terms under consideration: News reports have floated terms such as a pause or extension to allow settlement negotiations and, in some accounts, the possibility that the IRS would drop audits of Trump and family members or related business entities as part of a settlement. These are discussions reported by multiple outlets, though no final agreement had been publicly announced as of mid-May 2026.[5][9][1]
- Procedural developments: In several filings, Trump’s counsel sought pauses (e.g., 90 days) to allow talks to proceed, and DOJ discussions were described as weighing various settlement options, including potential financial or non-financial terms.[2][7][9][5]
- Media landscape and cautions: Coverage around this topic has included a mix of outlets with varying perspectives and some conservative-leaning outlets amplifying the settlement narrative, alongside mainstream reports analyzing the legal and ethical implications of a possible settlement and its effects on ongoing audits. Readers should weigh sources critically given the political nature of the case.[9][1][2]
What to watch next
- An official settlement, if reached, would be announced by the parties in court and would include terms detailing which, if any, audits or other actions are affected, along with any financial components. Until then, expect statements to come via court filings and formal press releases from the involved parties.[5][9]
- The timing remains uncertain; multiple reports described ongoing internal DOJ deliberations and court briefings due around late May 2026, with a suspension or pause commonly mentioned as a possible procedural step during negotiations.[7][9]
If you’d like, I can monitor for updates and summarize any new court filings or official statements, and I can pull direct quotes and date-stamped details from primary sources. I can also provide a quick side-by-side timeline of key filings and public statements if that would help.