Donald Trump’s political operation has been using funds to cover the legal expenses of several individuals who have been contacted by prosecutors investigating the former president. This has resulted in millions of dollars being tied up, which could have otherwise been used for Trump’s 2024 White House bid. Law firms such as Brand Woodward, Dhillon Law Group, and Greenberg Traurig have received over $2.1 million in the first half of this year from Save America, a Trump group separate from his campaign. While some experts believe this spending is allowed under campaign finance rules, others suggest that prosecutors may examine these payments for any signs of influencing witness testimonies.
The funds that Save America has spent on Trump’s legal problems could potentially alienate some voters. A Reuters/Ipsos poll in August revealed that around 40% of Republicans considered it inappropriate for Trump to use political donations for his legal issues. Additionally, this legal spending has forced Save America to reclaim about $12 million out of the $60 million it had originally given to MAGA Inc, a top allied super PAC supporting Trump. Jason Osborne, an advisor from Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, commented that these legal bills could impact Trump’s reliance on other allied groups, such as the Republican Party, to cover election costs.
The article also highlights that a combination of these legal expenses and Trump’s own criminal trials could result in high-costs that may exceed $100 million. While the exact amount spent on Trump’s personal lawyers is unclear, it is estimated that his defense in four criminal prosecutions alone could cost over $50 million. It remains to be seen how the public will perceive this use of campaign funds for legal expenses, especially as Trump continues to raise millions of dollars from his legal troubles, such as selling merchandise featuring his mug shot.