An investigation by Lever News found that Donald Trump’s profoundly unqualified nominee to lead the Internal Revenue Service, Billy Long, wiped out his personal debt using donations made after his nomination was announced in December 2024. These new revelations come as his confirmation is still pending in the Senate.
Donald Trump’s choice for Internal Revenue Service director just had his six-figure debt paid off by campaign donors whose firms have significant, often contentious business before the tax agency he would lead, according to federal records reviewed by The Lever. In new campaign finance filings, Long disclosed an outstanding personal loan of $130,000 that he had made to his failed 2022 U.S. Senate campaign. The dormant Senate campaign committee had raised less than $36,000 in the last two years, which could have forced Long to absorb the losses on the loan. But after Trump named Long to head the IRS, the committee suddenly raked in nearly $137,000 in less than three weeks in January—money that Long then used to remunerate himself, according to disclosure documents filed this week.
via Lever News
Michael Beckel, research director for watchdog group Issue One Reform, was first to notice the transactions in campaign filings—per Lever News. The outlet also noted the donations came from individuals with whom Long had established connections.
As we wrote back in January, Long has no accounting experience, no college degree, and fought to abolish the IRS during his stint in Congress.
SOURCES
- Lever News
- Michael Becker on Twitter/X
