Donald Trump has reportedly orchestrated a lucrative scheme to funnel millions in campaign donations into his own businesses, raising serious concerns about the intersection of his political influence and personal financial gain. An investigation has uncovered a notable pattern of Trump directing significant campaign funds to his properties.
Since late last year, Trump’s political influence has led to a surge in campaign spending at his venues. For example, after endorsing Bernie Moreno for Ohio’s Senate seat, Moreno’s campaign quickly spent $17,000 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, followed by another $79,000 the following month. This pattern suggests Trump is leveraging his endorsements to benefit his personal financial interests.
Federal campaign finance data flagged by CNN reveals that Republican candidates and political groups are set to spend more on Trump’s businesses this year than in any previous year since 2016. Trump has personally benefited the most, with his campaign and related groups directing over $28 million into his businesses, effectively converting political support into personal profit.
In the first half of 2024 alone, nearly $3.2 million in campaign funds were spent at Trump’s properties. Over 80% of this amount came from Trump’s own campaign and related groups, including $1.9 million for his private jet service and over $1 million at Mar-a-Lago. Additional spending includes approximately $200,000 at his other hotels and resorts. The investigation found that about 150 congressional candidates have reported spending campaign funds at Trump’s businesses, with notable expenditures by new politicians who received early endorsements from Trump, such as Moreno, former Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker, and Arizona Senate hopeful Kari Lake.
Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, defended the expenditures, stating that “committees are paying the fair market rate for all venues and services” provided by Trump’s businesses.
The trend of candidates investing heavily in Trump’s properties to secure his endorsement highlights his significant control over the Republican Party. Daniel Weiner, director of the Brennan Center’s Elections and Government Program, commented that this dynamic reflects Trump’s dominance, noting that spending at his businesses has become a common method for candidates to demonstrate loyalty.
“They want to help his ticket win and express their support,” Weiner said. “To the extent that a campaign is used in part to prop up his businesses – that’s a concern.”
Federal Election Commission data indicates that since Trump’s 2015 presidential campaign launch, Republican candidates have consistently spent campaign funds at his properties. The recent increase in expenditures at Mar-a-Lago and other Trump-affiliated venues underscores the ongoing financial impact of his political endorsements.
This development raises ethical concerns, as some experts worry about potential conflicts of interest. Kathleen Clark, a government ethics expert, highlighted the troubling implications of Trump’s financial gains from campaign spending, although Trump’s spokesperson has dismissed such concerns as politically motivated.
