Trump’s campaign finances are strained as legal peril mounts

Donald Trump’s political campaign is facing financial strain as it heads into the second half of the year. The campaign raised more than $53 million since the start of 2023, largely due to rallying cries surrounding his two criminal indictments in Florida and New York. However, significant amounts of money, approximately $42.8 million, were spent on covering legal costs related to the mounting legal challenges faced by Trump, his aides, and allies. This has left the campaign with $31.8 million in cash on hand after receiving help from a pro-Trump super PAC that refunded millions in previous donations.

The campaign spent about $25 million on legal fees, but an anonymous source familiar with the situation claims the actual number is closer to $40 million for this year alone. Trump’s financial struggles have similarities to the 2020 presidential contest when his substantial cash advantage over Joe Biden diminished due to excessive campaign spending. While Trump currently leads the Republican primary field, the lack of funds could lead to difficult spending decisions as he prepares for the possibility of two additional indictments in Georgia and Washington, connected to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election outcome.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump’s top rival, also faced money challenges, raising over $20 million but spending $8 million in his initial six weeks as a candidate. To offset the growing legal bills, Trump’s allies are launching a new fundraising effort called the Patriot Legal Defense Fund, aimed at helping those defending against legal actions related to their political participation. The fund will be run by Trump campaign senior advisers Susie Wiles and Michael Glassner.

Trump’s PAC, Save America, has requested refunds from his super PAC, MAGA Inc., to cover costs. Save America, launched after the 2020 election, initially raised $170 million for an “election defense fund,” but the money was used to pay campaign debt and replenish the Republican National Committee’s funds. Later, Save America has been used to cover legal expenses for Trump’s associates embroiled in ongoing investigations.

Despite some funds being used to support other candidates, the majority of Save America’s money has gone toward ballooning legal costs. Trump’s campaign faces financial uncertainty as legal challenges continue to mount, and tough decisions on spending lie ahead.

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More about Trump campaign finances

• “Trump’s campaign finances are strained as legal peril mounts” (Politico)
• “Donald Trump’s 2023 Fundraising Tops $53 Million” (U.S. News & World Report)
• “Trump’s political operation faces financial crunch amid mounting legal costs” (ABC News)
• “Donald Trump faces mounting legal costs amid criminal indictments” (The Guardian)
• “Trump’s financial strain could impact 2023 campaign” (NBC News)
• “Ron DeSantis’ fundraising challenges in 2023 campaign” (The Hill)
• “Patriot Legal Defense Fund launched to support Trump’s legal battles” (Reuters)
• “Analysis of Trump’s PAC ‘Save America’ fundraising practices” (Business Insider)