These are some crazy fees.
In the latest Federal Election Commission filing, it was revealed that the leadership PAC associated with former President Donald Trump incurred legal expenses amounting to approximately $5.6 million last month, surpassing its earnings by roughly $600,000. This marks a continuation of the substantial legal costs faced by the Save America PAC, which has expended over $77 million in the last two years alone, grappling with various lawsuits and multiple felony charges across four criminal cases, as reported by The Associated Press.
Throughout these legal battles, Trump has consistently maintained his innocence, characterizing the onslaught of lawsuits and felony charges as politically motivated attacks aimed at undermining his presidential aspirations.
Despite the formidable legal expenses, Save America PAC began March with approximately $4 million in available funds. However, it still carries a significant burden of over $500,000 in outstanding legal fees, according to the FEC filing.
In terms of fundraising, both Trump’s campaign and Save America reported a combined intake of $15.9 million in February, culminating in a closing balance of over $37 million by the end of the month. This represents an improvement from January, when the committees garnered $13.8 million in contributions.
Trump’s victories in the primary contests held in Nevada and New Hampshire in February further solidified his position as the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, diminishing the prospects of any significant challengers emerging within the party.
Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign Communications Director, emphasized the appeal of Trump’s “America First” policies, attributing them to the nation’s previous prosperity and advocating for their reinstatement.
On the other side of the political spectrum, President Joe Biden’s campaign reported a robust fundraising performance, accruing $53 million in contributions last month and concluding February with $155 million in available funds, including those from joint fundraising efforts with the Democratic National Committee. However, a comprehensive overview of Biden’s fundraising endeavors will not be accessible until April, when additional reports from committees within his political operation are due.
In essence, the financial disclosures underscore the ongoing financial dynamics within both political camps as they navigate the terrain leading up to the next presidential election.