Most people seem to think the 1.8B slush fund Trump wants is for rewarding Jan 6 defendants who participated in the insurrection.

I think it is for something worse: it is for rewarding those who participate in the next insurrection. If you look at how dictators such as Kim Jong Un operate, a wannabe dictator needs two things. (1) A compliant military that is willing to punish people who oppose the dictator, and (2) a slush fund for rewarding people who support the dictator.

For (1): The gathering of generals and top military leaders on September 30, 2025 was to make it clear to them what is expected of them (be willing to attack democrat-controlled cities when called to, and quit if they aren't willing to do that). For (2): that's what the 1.8B slush fund is for.