Former President Donald Trump’s campaign finances are experiencing some relief as his legal expenses have dipped below $1 million for the first time in two years. According to a recent report, the Save America political action committee (PAC) paid approximately $827,000 in June for Trump’s legal bills, a significant decrease from the nearly $4 million average monthly expenditure since July 2022.
This reduction comes as Trump navigates a competitive race against Kamala Harris, who has recently seen a surge in support following President Joe Biden’s decision to exit the race and endorse her. Harris’s campaign has raised a staggering $126 million since Biden’s withdrawal, with an additional $150 million pledged to the supporting group Future Forward.
The lower legal expenses are largely attributed to the conclusion of Trump’s hush-money trial in May and favorable developments in two federal criminal cases that have been delayed. The end of these trials allows more campaign funds to be allocated towards election activities rather than legal defense.
Despite the reduction, Trump’s legal team remains active. The former president is appealing several legal judgments, including a nearly $500 million New York civil fraud case and a federal indictment related to classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. However, a recent Supreme Court ruling granting broad immunity to presidents has temporarily eased some of Trump’s legal challenges, allowing him more freedom to campaign.
Political strategists emphasize the importance of this financial shift. “This is going to be a close election, and to the extent money for lawyers can now be spent on organizers, that’s helpful,” said Republican strategist Alex Conant.
Trump’s campaign finances have also been bolstered by a surge in donations following his conviction on state charges related to concealing a hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign. The conviction has not dampened his supporters’ enthusiasm, with the campaign seeing significant financial support even after a recent assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Since January 2022, the Save America PAC has paid over $83 million to more than 80 law firms and individual attorneys representing Trump and his associates. The legal fees have been a significant expenditure for the PAC, but the recent decrease in legal costs marks a pivotal moment for Trump’s campaign, enabling a stronger focus on the 2024 election.
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