In 2023, Trump’s PACs Allocated Approximately $50 Million for Legal Costs
TL/DR –
Donald Trump faced significant legal expenses in 2023 due to being indicted four times, resulting in roughly $50 million of donor money being spent on legal bills and investigation-related expenses. He sourced his legal funds through his political action committee, Save America, and a second account, the Make America Great Again PAC, requiring a refund of $60 million initially transferred to a pro-Trump super PAC called MAGA Inc. Trump is facing four criminal indictments in different jurisdictions, as well as civil litigation, including a defamation case from New York writer E. Jean Carroll, which resulted in an $83.3 million payout, and a potentially hefty penalty from a civil fraud trial brought by New York attorney general, Letitia James.
Trump’s 2023 Legal Bills Totaled $50 Million, Funded by Donor Money
Donald J. Trump faced four indictments in 2023, racking up hefty legal expenses around $50 million, funded by donor money. Nikki Haley, his only competitor in the 2024 Republican primary, raised a similar amount. Files on Wednesday to the Federal Election Commission will illuminate these expenses, some of which could be inaccurately categorized. Despite mounting legal costs, Trump seems set to secure the Republican nomination.
Trump’s PACs and Unusual Donation Practices
Trump, who has a reputation for not covering his own legal costs, utilized funds from his political action committee (PAC) Save America to cover these bills. Funds initially came from post-2020 election donations, but with the account nearly drained by 2023, Trump sought to refill the PAC in an unusual way – he requested a $60 million refund from another pro-Trump super PAC called MAGA Inc. Additionally, 10% of all online donations were directed to Save America.
Unravelling Trump’s Legal Costs
Trump’s legal costs were borne by Save America and another PAC, the Make America Great Again PAC. The total legal and investigation-related costs between these two groups amount to approximately $50 million. MAGA Inc. refunded $30 million to Save America in the latter half of 2023, plus the $12.5 million it had already refunded in the first half.
Trump’s Ongoing Legal Battles
Trump, indicted in four jurisdictions, is currently preparing for two tentative trials in March. Charges range from falsifying business records to keeping classified materials at Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Florida. Some of Trump’s legal fees have also been spent on aides involved in these cases. To mitigate financial stress, a legal-defense fund was opened in 2023, but it is not intended to cover Trump’s personal legal fees.
Trump Faces Financial Struggles With Civil Litigation
Besides criminal charges, Trump also faced civil litigation, leading to more financial strain. A federal civil jury ordered Trump to pay E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million in a defamation case she brought against him. In a civil fraud trial, the New York state judge will decide the penalty amount that Trump has to pay, which could reach up to $370 million as requested by the New York attorney general, Letitia James.
—
Read More US Political News