Senator Bernie Sanders is turning heads after publicly breaking down the extraordinary amount of money former President Donald Trump has received in legal settlements in just the past year — a figure he called “obscene” and “a reminder of how rigged the system really is.” His remarks, delivered in a fiery speech on Capitol Hill, have sparked fresh debate over how Trump’s legal battles and business deals have intertwined in ways that few Americans fully grasp.
Speaking during a televised committee hearing, Sanders cited a string of settlement figures linked to high-profile lawsuits involving Trump’s companies and business interests. “Donald Trump has taken in tens of millions of dollars in settlements this year alone,” Sanders said, according to NBC News. “And this is a man who claims to be the victim of a so-called ‘witch hunt.’ Meanwhile, he’s cashing in.”
“Donald Trump has taken in tens of millions of dollars in settlements this year alone. The system is rigged.” — Bernie Sanders @NBCNews
Sanders’ comments come as Trump faces mounting legal exposure on multiple fronts — including ongoing criminal trials, civil suits, and investigations involving his real estate empire, media ventures, and campaign finances. Despite that, several cases have resulted in large settlement payments to Trump, often as part of defamation or business-related disputes. Sanders accused the former president of “profiting off his notoriety,” telling The Washington Post that “ordinary Americans go bankrupt when dragged into legal fights — Trump walks away richer.”
While the exact total remains under review, Sanders cited at least three major settlements that alone add up to more than $60 million. One of the most publicized involved a media company accused of defamation, which reportedly agreed to a massive payout to avoid trial. Another involved a business licensing dispute quietly resolved behind closed doors. A third stemmed from legal claims over branding and property rights, which ended in what Sanders called “a sweetheart deal.”
“It’s money flowing to a man who cries persecution every single day,” Sanders said during an impassioned floor speech, captured by CNN. “People need to understand what’s really happening here. This is not just about politics. It’s about power and wealth protecting itself.”
“This is not just about politics. It’s about power and wealth protecting itself.” — Bernie Sanders @CNN
The revelations have fueled an immediate storm online, with Trump critics accusing him of using his legal battles as both shield and sword. A viral post on X read, “Only Trump could turn legal drama into a revenue stream.” Others echoed Sanders’ frustration, saying the situation highlights deep inequalities in how the justice system treats the powerful versus ordinary citizens.
Trump allies have pushed back, insisting the settlements prove the claims against him were baseless. A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team told Fox News that “President Trump has been relentlessly attacked with lies and misinformation. When those lies are exposed, people are forced to pay the price.” They also claimed the settlements were evidence of “vindication,” not exploitation.
But Sanders, who has long railed against economic inequality, said the optics of Trump’s financial windfalls during an election year are “a grotesque example of two Americas.” He pointed out that while many Americans struggle with rising costs and medical debt, a former president embroiled in legal fights has been able to use his name, wealth, and legal team to emerge even richer. “Justice for the rich, punishment for the poor. That’s the message being sent,” he told MSNBC.
“Justice for the rich, punishment for the poor. That’s the message being sent.” — Bernie Sanders @MSNBC
Legal analysts say Trump’s ability to secure large settlements isn’t illegal — but it does reveal how his high public profile gives him leverage in disputes that most Americans could never match. “He’s in a unique position,” one former federal prosecutor told Reuters. “The threat of a drawn-out trial against him is costly and risky, so many parties prefer to settle. That translates into massive payouts.”
Sanders emphasized that these payouts are happening in parallel to criminal proceedings that could reshape Trump’s political future. “Imagine anyone else being indicted on multiple charges and still collecting this kind of money,” he said during a fiery exchange. “It tells you everything you need to know about how skewed this system is.”
“Imagine anyone else being indicted on multiple charges and still collecting this kind of money.” — Bernie Sanders @Reuters
As Sanders’ remarks spread, so did renewed calls from some lawmakers for stricter transparency laws around settlement agreements involving public figures. Several advocacy groups have also begun pushing for reforms that would limit nondisclosure agreements in cases involving powerful individuals, arguing that the current system allows wealth and fame to obscure accountability.
Trump has not personally responded to Sanders’ comments as of Tuesday afternoon, but his allies have already begun framing the senator’s remarks as “political theater.” In a post that quickly went viral, one supporter wrote, “Bernie is just mad Trump keeps winning.” Meanwhile, Sanders’ supporters are praising him for “saying what everyone else is afraid to say.”
“This is exactly why we fight,” Sanders wrote in a late-night post on his X account. “Billionaires and ex-presidents shouldn’t be profiting while working people are drowning. Enough is enough.”
“Billionaires and ex-presidents shouldn’t be profiting while working people are drowning. Enough is enough.” — Bernie Sanders @BernieSanders
Whether Sanders’ fiery breakdown of Trump’s settlement windfalls will spark tangible action remains to be seen. But one thing is clear — his remarks have injected a new, volatile element into an already heated election season, where every dollar and every headline carries massive political weight.
