Save America, the pro-Trump PAC, spent $21 million on legal fees in H1 2023. Most went to defending Trump in the NY State AG’s investigation into his business practices. The PAC raised $100 million, but legal costs drained significant funds. As a result, Trump’s political operations scaled down due to financial constraints.
These mounting legal expenses pose a significant challenge to Trump’s political resources. Despite raising more than $100 million in the first half of the year, a substantial portion of these funds was absorbed by legal costs. Consequently, Trump has been compelled to curtail his political operations due to escalating financial constraints.
The legality of these expenses has come under scrutiny and faced criticism. Accusations of Trump employing campaign funds for personal legal defense have arisen, which would constitute an illegal act.
However, Trump’s legal team contends that these expenses are essential for safeguarding him against what they term “frivolous” lawsuits, and they assert that private donations, not campaign funds, finance these expenditures.
