In the context of the financial crisis, Paulson was entrusted with significant funds to implement a strategy aimed at stabilizing the economy. However, once he received the money, he deviated from his initial plan and chose to distribute substantial amounts to select financial institutions such as Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs. This shift in approach raised questions about the fairness and criteria used for selecting these recipients.

The decision to favor a few major banks over a broader strategy reflected a lack of transparency and an abandonment of the original objectives. This move not only had implications for the institutions involved but also for the systemic integrity of the financial system, leading to concerns about favoritism and equity during a time of crisis.