In 2023, former President Donald Trump allocated over $47 million in campaign funds to cover legal expenses, as disclosed in reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. The payments, made by two groups associated with Trump—Save America and Make America Great Again Inc.—encompassed numerous transactions with over 50 law firms, consultancies, and individuals for legal services and consulting. During the first six months of the year, Save America disbursed about $25.7 million for various legal services, followed by an additional $21.4 million in the latter half. Meanwhile, Make America Great Again Inc., a super political action committee (PAC), paid around $223,000 over the entire year.
Save America, categorized as a qualified leadership PAC, reported raising approximately $52.3 million in total for 2023. Legal expenses constituted around 73% of the total disbursements, amounting to about $65.4 million for the year. MAGA Inc., a key funder for Save America, contributed $35 million in the second half of the year and $12.25 million in the first half through “contribution refunds.” Save America, in turn, transferred $11.75 million to MAGA Inc. as “transfers to an affiliated committee” in 2023.
Despite facing numerous legal challenges and charges in various states, including New York, Georgia, and Florida, Trump’s principal campaign committee raised over $79.6 million in 2023. With $93.3 million in expenditures, the committee reported holding $33 million on hand. Trump’s legal troubles include a New York jury ordering him to pay $83 million in damages to writer E. Jean Carroll in a defamation suit.
As Trump navigates legal hurdles, he remains a leading candidate for the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nomination, winning the Republican Party of Iowa’s Caucus and New Hampshire’s Republican presidential primary. His primary challenger, Nikki Haley, plans to stay in the race, and her fundraising bodies collected over $100 million in 2023. A PAC supporting Haley criticized Trump’s use of campaign funds for legal bills, branding it as “mismanagement and wasteful spending.” The ongoing dynamics set the stage for a faceoff between Trump and Haley in the South Carolina Republican presidential primary on Feb. 24.
