Wait, Is Trump’s New “Slush Fund” Actually Stealing?

Your Tax Dollars

Wait, Is Trump’s New “Slush Fund” Actually Stealing? 

What’s going on: President Donald Trump has settled his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, and ethics watchdogs are pulling the fire alarm. Back in 2020, The New York Times published Trump’s tax returns, which the paper obtained through an anonymous source. Earlier this year, Trump decided to sue the IRS over the breach. Guess who’s also in charge of the IRS? Trump. If you see a potential conflict of interest, so did the judge, who signaled that she was considering throwing out the case altogether. Instead, the president settled with... well, basically, himself. And he threw in a few perks, like the “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which sets aside $1.776 billion (get it?) in taxpayer dollars to compensate people who say they’ve been wronged by the federal government.

So, who’s getting paid?: Anyone who can argue the government was “weaponized” against them, which could include Jan. 6 insurrectionists and people convicted of harassing abortion clinics. A five-member commission will review claims and dole out money. US Attorney General Todd Blanche pointed out that the fund is “unusual, but not unprecedented.” Watchdogs beg to differ, with one expert calling it “one of the single most corrupt acts in American history.” The settlement also dictates that the IRS cannot audit the president, his family, or his businesses on past returns. In other words, Trump got a pretty sweet deal from a suit that analysts say he probably would have lost had it gone to court. 

Related: Trump’s Pet Projects Are Costing Us How Much? (Forbes)

The News in 6

🗞️ The Department of Justice has indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro for ordering the country’s military to shoot down two US civilian planes in 1996.

🗞️ SpaceX is preparing what could be the biggest-ever IPO with a filing that reads like something out of Star Trek. Live long and prosper... on Mars.

🗞️ Barney Frank, longtime Democratic legislator and the first member of Congress to voluntarily come out as gay, has died at age 86.

🗞️ Yes, you should pay attention to the bond market, especially after that “2007 moment.” And we’re not talking about skinny jeans.

🗞️ A year and a half ago, the founder of fast-fashion giant Mango died after falling off a cliff while hiking with his son. Now, police aren’t so sure it was an accident.

🗞️ James Murdoch just added New York Magazine, Vox.com, and the Vox Media Podcast Network to his portfolio. Cue the Succession theme.

The scoop

Creatine Wants the Protein Treatment

What’s going on: Chances are, if the perimenopause algorithm has found you, then so has creatine. Yep, that same powder gym bros take to bulk up during workouts is now a favorite among menopause influencers who claim it can help restore muscle loss, improve brain fog, and alleviate mood swings. Our bodies naturally make creatine, a compound that helps fuel short bursts of energy (like burpees). You can also get it from foods like meat and fish. But while the buzz online is real, the science for how creatine specifically works for menopausal women is… lacking.

So why are menopause influencers obsessed?: Estrogen levels decline during perimenopause and can lead to reduced muscle mass, which is why doctors encourage strength training. Creatine fans say the supplement can help people perform better during those workouts, while also easing some menopause-related symptoms. One 2025 study found creatine helped perimenopausal women build lower-body strength — and even sleep better... but only 15 people participated. While creatine has been heavily studied in athletes and younger adults, for now, there’s surprisingly little research focused specifically on menopausal women. (Gender bias strikes again. Sigh.) Creatine is generally safe for healthy adults, though side effects are possible, and people with kidney disease are usually advised to check with a doctor first. 

Related: An Olympian Shared Her Rules for Healthy Eating, and They’re Not What You’d Expect (Today.com)

Picture This

Another Reason Not To Open Instagram on the Toilet

What’s going on: Ever accidentally opened your camera while you’re scrolling in bed? Now imagine sending that low-angle selfie to your mom, your 60 closest friends, and your situationship. This is exactly what happened to some people who tried out Instagram’s new Instants feature (including one Daily Skimm writer, who luckily just sent photos of her dog). Instants sends photos without letting users review them first, all in the name of spontaneity and authenticity. Reminds us of BeReal (remember her?). But many users find this new feature too real and rush to delete their photos ASAP. 

No filter: After a decade-plus of highly curated and edited pics, users are craving content that feels more “real.” And it’s not just millennials yearning for sad desk salad pics; a new survey shows that 79% of Gen Z TikTokers miss what the platform was like before every other scroll was an ad. Those accidental Instants posts can feel more human than endless AI slop and ads. But is it possible for true authenticity to exist on social media, when it’s all become so marketable and monetized? Or will we simply see #spon posts move to Instants, just like they did to Stories and Reels? 

Related: Meta Cuts 10% of Its Workforce in AI-Era Revamp (NBC News)

Quick Hits

💉 We’ve seen “Ozempic face,” and now there’s “Ozempic personality.”

🪞Jenna Bush Hager said her teenage daughter “dragged” her for not getting enough of this.

😜 Americans are in a “fun drought.” Experts say these are the ways to find more joy. Expensive vacation not required.

🎥 Emily Henry finally addressed the controversial casting for the upcoming adaptation of Beach Read. We’ll always have the fancast TikToks.

😋 This throwback snack beloved by kids just got a healthy upgrade. But will they eat it?

🍝 Barilla’s new pasta shape is designed to hold more sauce. And hopefully more cheese, too.

Good for You Awards 2026

Welcome back to the Good for You Awards, aka your one-stop shop for all the products that make us feel better in mind, body, bed, and more. Today, we’re sharing a few perennially popular products among our editors, experts, and Skimm’rs alike:

• A foldable drying rack for small spaces

• The best face mask we’ve ever used, hands down

• A relaxing hobby that gets us off our phones 

• Organic snacking granola that tastes like brownies

On Our Calendar

Thursday, May 21

📺 Stephen Colbert's last Late Show

It’s the end of an era — and everyone’s still speculating on who the guests will be.

🛍️ UNIQLO and Cecilie Bahnsen collection 

The collab with the Danish luxury designer launches at 8:15 am ET and is full of perfect-for-summer pieces. 

♊ Gemini season starts 

It’s the perfect time to channel this sign’s adaptability, people skills, and high energy.  

🫖 International Tea Day

Steep the world’s second-most popular drink in a new way. We’ve got our eye on number eight.

Psst…this is just the preview: Subscribe to the full Skimm+ calendar and never miss a moment.

Skimm'd by: Marisa Iallonardo, Stephanie Gallman, Molly Longman, Aryanna Prasad Bhullar,  Erika W. Smith, Kate Preziosi, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.