Donald Trump has set up a new fundraising scheme that will allow his personal committee to receive nearly $32 million from large-dollar donors that would have otherwise gone to the Republican Party. In this new plan, Trump’s “Save America” leadership PAC, which he has been using to pay legal bills, is second in line to collect money after the Trump campaign. Only when a donation exceeds $11,600 does the Republican National Committee (RNC) receive any funds. If this arrangement had been in place during the 2020 campaign, Trump’s personal fund would have received $31.8 million that would have gone to the RNC and state parties.
Some critics have called the RNC a “money-laundering operation” for Trump, but others argue that donors who prefer to write one check find it more convenient to donate to the joint committee. Many supporters see Trump’s legal challenges as part of the campaign, and some want to direct funding to help his defense against what they view as unfair charges. The joint fundraising agreement will benefit Trump’s personal fund depending on how many donors give at least $6,600 to Trump 47.
Trump can potentially benefit from both wealthy donors donating through the RNC and small-dollar donors who contribute directly to him. In 2023, Trump used $54.2 million from Save America to pay his lawyers, showing the flexibility of leadership PACs. While the RNC may help Trump raise funds from wealthy donors, his large base of small-dollar donors could potentially give him even more money for personal use. Trump raised $732.6 million in 2020 from small-dollar donors alone and could generate $73 million if he can get them to contribute at the same levels in 2024.
Trump currently faces multiple legal challenges, including a fraud case brought by the New York state attorney general and four criminal prosecutions connected to the January 6 Capitol attack. He is appealing a judgment in the New York fraud case and is awaiting trial dates for the criminal cases. In a separate civil case, Trump was found liable for sexual abuse and is appealing an $88 million judgment. The former president has accumulated significant legal fees and has used his leadership PAC funds to pay for his various lawyers.
The joint fundraising agreement between Trump and the RNC allows donors to contribute to both entities through one check but prioritizes funding for Trump’s personal committee. Critics have raised concerns about the arrangement benefiting Trump financially at the expense of the Republican Party. However, supporters argue that donors want to contribute to Trump’s legal defense and see his challenges as aligned with the party’s interests. The outcome of this fundraising scheme will depend on the support Trump receives from both large-dollar donors and his base of small-dollar contributors in the upcoming 2024 campaign.
