Former President Donald Trump's political action committee, Save America, has reportedly spent over $40 million on legal fees since the beginning of 2023.[0] This follows the PAC's expenditure of over $16 million on legal costs the previous year, as reported by the Federal Election Commission.[1] The funds are said to be used to defend Trump himself, as well as some of his aides and allies.[1]
The legal challenges faced by Trump are extensive. Earlier this year, he was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on more than 30 counts related to business fraud.[2] He is also facing potential charges in the special counsel's grand jury investigation into the events leading up to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.[3] Additionally, an investigation by the Fulton County district attorney's office in Georgia is looking into attempts by Trump and his allies to overturn the state's 2020 presidential election result.[4]
To help offset the significant legal bills incurred, Trump's team is in the process of creating a legal defense fund.[2] This new fund, named the Patriot Legal Defense Fund Inc., is expected to cover the legal costs of current and former aides and employees who have become involved in various investigations related to the former president. The fund will be led by Trump associate and adviser Michael Glassner.[3]
The Save America PAC, through which Trump initially raised over $100 million in small-dollar donations after losing the 2020 election, is primarily responsible for funding the legal expenses.[5] The PAC relies on contributions from Trump supporters, and many of its fundraising efforts emphasize the need to defend Trump and his allies against investigations and charges.
The mounting legal challenges have put financial pressure on the Save America PAC.[5] The PAC reportedly requested a refund of $60 million it had previously donated to another group supporting Trump.[6] This request indicates potential financial difficulties for the campaign. However, the exact amount of the refund has not been disclosed.[0]
Trump's legal troubles continue to grow, with potential additional indictments on the horizon. Special counsel Jack Smith recently sent a letter to Trump informing him that he is a target of the investigation into the January 6 Capitol riot.[7] Trump's lawyers also met with Smith to discuss a possible third indictment.[4] Furthermore, Trump is under investigation for alleged interference in the 2020 election in Georgia.
In response to the legal actions, Trump's campaign spokesman Steven Cheung characterized them as “heinous actions by Joe Biden's cronies.” He explained that the PAC's contributions to legal fees are intended to protect innocent individuals from financial ruin and ensure they have representation against what they believe to be unlawful harassment.[8]
As the legal expenses continue to accumulate, Trump may be facing financial difficulties.[9] His legal team has incurred significant costs, and the refund request from the Save America PAC indicates potential financial strain. Trump's ongoing legal battles and the associated costs are likely to remain a significant challenge for the former president and his supporters in the coming months.
0. “Trump’s Political Group Spent Over $40 Million on Legal Costs” Vanity Fair, 30 Jul. 2023, https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/07/trump-pac-40-million-legal-spending
1. “Opinion: Why are Trump's donors paying for his legal fees?” erienewsnow.com, 31 Jul. 2023, https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/49303235/opinion-why-are-trumps-donors-paying-for-his-legal-fees
2. “Trump leadership PAC spends more than $40 million on legal fees amid indictments” WDJT, 30 Jul. 2023, https://www.cbs58.com/news/trump-leadership-pac-spends-more-than-40-million-on-legal-fees-amid-indictments
3. “Trump team creating legal defense fund amid mounting legal fees” WICZ, 31 Jul. 2023, https://www.wicz.com/story/49303052/trump-team-creating-legal-defense-fund-amid-mounting-legal-fees
4. “Trump is likely scrambling to pay legal fees: The New York Times” Business Insider, 30 Jul. 2023, https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-likely-scrambling-to-pay-legal-fees-new-york-times-2023-7
5. “Donald Trump campaign group is running out of money, US media reports” The Telegraph, 30 Jul. 2023, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/07/30/donald-trump-legal-fees-campaign-running-out-of-money/
6. “Trump's PAC Has Spent $40 Million on Legal Bills This Year” Mother Jones, 30 Jul. 2023, https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/07/trump-legal-fees-big-lie-40-million/
7. “Donald Trump has spent $40M of PAC donations on legal fees in last six months after being indicted twice” Daily Mail, 30 Jul. 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12353907/Donald-Trump-spent-40M-PAC-donations-legal-fees-six-months-indicted-twice.html
8. “Pro-Trump super PAC expected to disclose spending $40M on legal bills” Yahoo News, 31 Jul. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/pro-trump-super-pac-expected-001833277.html
9. “Trump is likely scrambling to pay legal fees as he diverts more and more donations towards his bills, New York” Business Insider India, 30 Jul. 2023, https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/trump-is-likely-scrambling-to-pay-legal-fees-as-he-diverts-more-and-more-donations-towards-his-bills-new-york-times-reports/articleshow/102255206.cms