The primary fundraising and political spending group supporting Donald Trump, Save America, has spent more than $40 million (£31 million) on legal fees so far this year, according to a financial filing due on Monday. This marks a more than two-fold increase compared to the combined spending on legal costs in 2021 and 2022.
The funds have been used to defend the former president and his allies across multiple cases, including his federal trial over alleged mishandling of classified documents, a state trial over a hush-money probe in New York, and a defamation trial from writer E Jean Carroll. Additionally, the US Department of Justice and state prosecutors in Georgia are expected to charge Mr Trump over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Save America, a political action committee founded and controlled by Mr Trump, has also funded representation for those drawn into investigations, such as his aide Walt Nauta and property manager Carlos de Oliveira. The campaign has described this as protection from 'unlawful harassment'. Spokesman Steven Cheung said the DOJ 'has continued to go after innocent Americans because they worked for President Trump'.
The $40 million sum far exceeds any other expense Save America has incurred during the 2024 presidential campaign. The majority of the funds come from small-dollar donations from grassroots Trump supporters. After leaving office, Mr Trump urged supporters to donate to Save America, claiming the 2020 election was stolen.
Campaign finance expert Jason Torchinsky said Mr Trump may be violating federal election laws by accepting donations that directly cover his legal expenses, as they could amount to a gift exceeding contribution limits. Some of Mr Trump's 2024 opponents have criticised the expenditures, with Ron DeSantis's spokesman accusing him of spending on 'falsely attacking Ron DeSantis and paying his own legal fees'.
