Trump's PAC, Save America, has been paying for significant legal expenses surpassing $40 million this year. The PAC, primarily funded through small-dollar donations from Trump's supporters, has spent $40.2 million on the cost of criminal defense lawyers in cases involving violations of state and federal law for Trump and his allies so far in 2023. This figure is more than double the amount spent on similar legal fees throughout 2022, which totaled over $16 million.
Why is Save America spending so much on legal fees?
Trump is facing several indictments in separate investigations across the country.
In summer 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Trump, his aide Walt Nauta, and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira for allegedly mishandling classified documents and storing them at Trump’s estate in Florida. All three men are being represented by attorneys funded by Trump's operation.
Trump also faces more than 30 counts related to business fraud from a Manhattan grand jury indictment in March 2022.
Additionally, he may face potential charges from the special counsel's investigation into the events of January 6th and an investigation by the Fulton County District Attorney's office in Georgia related to voter fraud claims after the 2020 election.
As his legal challenges intensify, Trump has expanded his legal team to address the mounting issues. Steven Cheung, Trump's campaign spokesman, stated that the PAC contributed to covering legal fees for Trump's associates.
In an effort to offset the enormous legal bills, Trump's team is creating a legal defense fund. The new fund, known as the Patriot Legal Defense Fund Inc., will cover the expenses of both current and former aides and employees of Trump involved in various investigations. Michael Glassner, a close associate and adviser to Trump, will lead the fund.
Trump's PAC has also taken the unusual step of requesting a $60 million "refund" from another group to which it gave the money.
