Donald Trump's main 2024 White House campaign fundraising operation sharply increased spending at the former president's properties in recent months, funneling money into his businesses at a time when he is facing serious legal jeopardy and desperately needs cash.
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Trump's joint fundraising committee wrote three checks in February and one in March to his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, totaling $411,287 and another in March to Trump National Doral Miami for $62,337, according to a report filed with the Federal Election Commission. Commission this week.
Federal law and FEC regulations allow donor funds to be spent at a candidate's business as long as the campaign pays fair market value, experts say. Trump has been doing it for years, shifting millions in campaign cash into his sprawling business empire to pay for expenses such as using his personal aircraft for political events, rent at Trump Tower and events at his properties, which has included hotels and private clubs.
While the practice is legal, some campaign finance experts believe it raises ethical concerns when a candidate is generating personal income off running for office.
"When voters see something like this happening it contributes to their distrust of the political system and their elected officials' motives," said Shanna Ports, senior legal counsel with the Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit government accountability group.