GOP strategist on IRS acting chief’s departure: ‘Trump chose his cabinet members over Elon Musk’

CNN - Apr 19th, 2025
Open on CNN

In a significant shake-up at the Internal Revenue Service, acting IRS commissioner Gary Shapley, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, is set to be replaced by Michael Faulkender. Faulkender, who currently serves as the deputy secretary of the Treasury, will step into the role as part of President Biden's efforts to reshape the leadership within key government agencies. The decision to replace Shapley was reported by sources to CNN, marking a notable shift in the IRS's top position.

This change is part of a broader strategy by the Biden administration to align federal agencies with its policy priorities and implement leadership that is in sync with its fiscal agenda. The replacement of Shapley underscores the administration's intent to steer the IRS in a direction that supports its economic and tax policy objectives. This move could have implications for future IRS operations and enforcement priorities, potentially impacting how tax policies are administered and enforced across the nation.

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RATING

6.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The news story provides a timely and relevant account of changes in IRS leadership, focusing on the political dynamics within the Trump administration. While it is factually accurate in its main claims, the article lacks depth and transparency, limiting its effectiveness in providing a comprehensive analysis of the situation. The reliance on a single source for key information and the absence of diverse perspectives contribute to an imbalanced presentation. Despite these shortcomings, the article remains accessible and clear, making it suitable for a general audience interested in political developments. To enhance its quality, the story could benefit from additional sources, context, and exploration of the broader implications of the leadership change.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The news story presents several factual claims that align with verified information, such as the replacement of Gary Shapley as acting IRS commissioner and the appointment of Michael Faulkender. However, the claim that Shapley was President Trump's pick for the top IRS job requires careful verification, as it is not directly corroborated by all sources. The story mentions that sources told CNN about Shapley's replacement, but further verification from official announcements or multiple independent sources would strengthen this claim. The narrative about Elon Musk's involvement and the internal dynamics within the Trump administration adds complexity, which is supported by other sources, but these aspects should be cross-verified for accuracy.

6
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the replacement of Gary Shapley and the political dynamics within the Trump administration, with input from Republican strategist Melik Abdul and Coleman Hughes. While it provides a perspective on the political maneuvering, it lacks viewpoints from other stakeholders, such as IRS officials or representatives from the Treasury Department. This creates a somewhat imbalanced view, leaning towards the political implications rather than a comprehensive analysis of the administrative changes.

7
Clarity

The article is relatively clear in its language and structure, presenting the key facts in a straightforward manner. However, the brief nature of the story leaves out some contextual details that could help readers fully understand the implications of the leadership change at the IRS. The mention of political figures and their roles adds complexity, but the story maintains a neutral tone, avoiding sensationalism.

5
Source quality

The story cites CNN as a source for the information about Shapley's replacement, which is a reputable news outlet. However, the article does not provide direct quotes or detailed attribution beyond this mention, limiting the evaluation of source quality. Additional sources or direct statements from involved parties, such as the IRS or Treasury Department, would enhance the credibility and reliability of the story.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of disclosing the basis for its claims. It mentions sources told CNN but does not elaborate on the nature of these sources or provide further context. There is no discussion of the methodology used to gather the information, nor any acknowledgment of potential conflicts of interest or biases. Greater transparency regarding the sources and the process of information gathering would enhance the story's credibility.

Sources

  1. https://www.axios.com/2025/04/18/trump-internal-revenue-service-acting-commissioner-replaced
  2. https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-04-18/irs-whistleblower-on-hunter-biden-is-out-as-acting-commissioner-just-days-after-getting-the-job