Trump PAC Spent $3 Million in January Legal Expenses
Former President Donald Trump's leadership PAC expended an additional $2.9 million on legal fees last month, as per a campaign finance filing released Tuesday.
Trump's leadership PAC, Save America, directed about $50 towards his legal expenses last year. Save America received $5 million from the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc., as indicated in the filing with the Federal Elections Committee (FEC) on Tuesday.
Trump leadership PAC spends nearly $3M in January on legal expenses, FEC filing shows https://t.co/0ULVDjrVo1
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 21, 2024
The funds were allocated to cover Save America's $2.9 million legal expenditures in January, which, though less than recent months, still constituted a significant portion of its spending. At the close of January, Save America reported $6.3 million remaining in its coffers.
MAGA Inc. contributed $42 million to Save America last year to assist with legal costs. Politico noted that Trump's array of political committees collectively spent more than they raised in 2023.
Over the past two years, Trump's Save America PAC, his presidential campaign, and other fundraising entities have dedicated $76.7 million to legal fees, per the Associated Press.
Experts in campaign finance anticipate that the current frontrunner for the GOP will employ PAC funds to offset his legal obligations in some capacity.
Despite spending more on advertising and legal matters than receiving from donors, Trump's campaign funds dwindled to slightly over $30 million by the end of January, a decrease from approximately $33 million in December, according to Reuters. However, he secured victories in GOP primary contests in Iowa and New Hampshire last month.
In January, the Trump campaign disclosed spending over $11 million and raising over $8 million. Conversely, the Biden campaign, facing a less competitive primary, reported an increase in cash reserves from $46 million in December to about $56 million in January.
A recent ruling by New York Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump and his entities to pay $355 million in fines, along with interest, following a case brought forth by New York Attorney General Letitia James, where Trump was found to have misrepresented his net worth.
This substantial penalty adds to Trump's legal woes, which include an $83.3 million judgment to columnist E. Jean Carroll for defamation and damage to her reputation, as well as a separate $5 million awarded to Carroll for sexual abuse and defamation.
Trump maintains his innocence and plans to appeal, a process anticipated to continue for many months ahead.
