Amid a financial struggle for former President Donald Trump’s political machinery in 2023, a staggering $50 million was reported to be spent on legal fees throughout the year, as per Politico on January 31, 2024.
This significant drain on donor funds underscores not only the defining role legal challenges have played in Trump’s campaign but also how they have begun to overshadow it.
A detailed examination of campaign finance filings by Politico reveals that the intricate network of committees constituting Trump’s political operation expended about $210 million in the 2023 calendar year, falling short of raising just under $200 million during the same period.
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This financial disparity, flagged by Politico’s analysis, raises concerns as the political operation entered 2024 with a surplus but expended at a rate that challenges its ability to replenish funds.
The latter half of 2023 witnessed a notable spike in legal expenses for Trump’s political apparatus.
Political action committees affiliated with Trump, including Save America and Make America Great Again PAC, directed an astonishing $29 million towards legal consulting and fees during this period.
Save America, Trump’s leadership PAC, shared with his campaign, accounted for over $25 million in legal expenses.
Another committee, Make America Great Again PAC, mainly funded by Save America, contributed an additional $4 million for legal bills.
These figures supplement the $21 million spent by Save America on legal expenses in the first half of the year.
This surge in legal costs vividly illustrates the growing legal challenges confronting Trump.
With a total of 91 felony counts across four criminal cases, Trump’s legal and political commitments are intertwined, diverting a significant portion of resources from his 2024 presidential efforts.
The impact extends beyond finances, affecting Trump’s schedule as he spends days in courthouses leading up to crucial votes in Iowa and New Hampshire, diverting attention from his campaign trail presence.
The joint fundraising committee, crucial for both his campaign and Save America, reported over $75 million in contributions in the second half of the year.
While fundraising appears strong, significant expenditures, including $8.8 million on digital consulting, ads, and list rentals, $7 million on direct mail, $4.1 million on merchant merchandise fees, and $1 million on text message advertising, draw scrutiny to the committee’s financial health.
Save America’s filing discloses involvement from 47 law firms and attorneys, underscoring the extensive legal landscape Trump is navigating.
Legal representatives include The Binnall Law Group, Dhillon Law Group, Habba Madaio and Associates, John Lauro, Steven Sadow, Blanche Law, Brand Woodward Law, and Chris Kise and Associates.
Several of these attorneys, including John Lauro, Steven Sadow, and Chris Kise, are actively representing Trump in his civil and criminal cases.
Beyond legal fees, Save America continued monthly payments of $18,000 to Hervé Pierre Braillard, a French-American fashion designer based in New York, for “strategy consulting.”
Braillard, known for his close ties with former First Lady Melania Trump, designed her inauguration ball gown.
Despite financial challenges, major donors continue to support Trump’s political operation. MAGA Inc., a super PAC associated with Trump, received significant contributions from Timothy Mellon, a transportation company executive and Mellon family banking fortune heir, who donated $10 million.
Linda McMahon, WWE founder and former head of the Small Business Administration during the Trump administration, contributed $5.25 million, solidifying substantial backing for Trump’s political endeavors.
