Former President Donald Trump has spent nearly $50 million on legal fees since March 2023, as revealed in filings from his PAC Save America. The PAC has spent a total of $76.5 million since then, with a significant portion going towards legal consulting, payroll for attorneys, and other legal-related services. This marks a significant increase from the $25.2 million spent on legal consulting between November 2020 and March 2023, showing the escalation of Trump’s legal battles.
The largest payments went to Christopher Kise, who represents Trump in his civil fraud case and criminal case for retaining White House documents. Other attorneys representing Trump in various criminal cases also received substantial payments from Save America PAC. The PAC’s legal-related fees also included payments to expert witnesses and vendors holding electronic records for former attorney Rudy Giuliani. Trump still owes millions to several law firms and attorneys, indicating the ongoing financial strain of his legal battles.
Save America PAC had approximately $4 million in cash at the beginning of March, but with Trump facing multiple criminal trials and ongoing legal battles, his legal costs are expected to continue rising. Trump faces federal trials for trying to overturn the 2020 election and retaining classified White House documents, as well as trials in Manhattan and Georgia for other charges. Despite pleading not guilty to all charges, the timeline for these trials remains uncertain.
Save America PAC has raised millions of dollars since the start of 2023, with funds coming from small-money donors and transfers from Trump’s other campaign entities. The largest donation was a $60 million refund from his campaign, with additional contributions from high-profile donors like hotel magnate Robert Bigelow. However, questions remain about the legality of using PAC money for personal legal fees, as campaign finance experts suggest it could constitute an illegal contribution to Trump’s campaign.
In addition to legal fees, Trump also faces significant financial challenges in his civil cases, including a $91.6 million bond for defaming writer E. Jean Carroll and a more than $454.2 million judgment in a civil fraud case. Despite being a billionaire, Trump’s liquid assets may not be enough to cover these judgments, raising questions about how he plans to pay them. Trump’s lawyers have requested a pause on enforcement of the civil fraud judgment, highlighting the complex financial and legal challenges facing the former president.
Overall, Trump’s mounting legal fees, ongoing trials, and financial obligations underscore the far-reaching consequences of his post-presidency legal battles. With uncertainty surrounding the legality of using PAC funds for personal expenses and the potential impact of these financial challenges on Trump’s personal wealth, the former president’s legal troubles continue to dominate headlines and raise questions about the accountability of political leaders.
