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Last Updated on April 22, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes
Former President Donald Trump’s 2024 White House campaign fundraising operation is facing scrutiny for its increased spending at Trump-owned properties in recent months, totaling over $400,000. The campaign has reportedly written checks to Trump National Doral Miami for over $60,000, raising ethical concerns among campaign finance experts.
Under federal law, donor funds can be spent at a candidate’s business as long as fair market value is paid. However, critics argue that candidates should not personally profit from their campaigns. Trump, who faces significant financial judgements in multiple civil and criminal cases, has spent at least $4.9 million at his own businesses since the start of 2023, with a large portion going to TAG Air, Inc.
The controversial spending by Trump’s campaign is not unique, as other GOP candidates like Ohio Senate candidate Bernie Moreno have also directed considerable campaign cash to Trump properties. Concerns about Trump’s business conflicts have been ongoing since the 2016 election, with his leadership PAC, Save America, facing scrutiny for spending over $72.5 million on legal bills since the 2020 election.
Campaign finance experts believe that Trump has pushed the boundaries of what is allowable in terms of spending on legal issues, sparking debate on the ethics of using donor funds for personal gain. As the 2024 election season ramps up, the issue of candidates profiting from their campaigns is likely to remain a topic of discussion among both political commentators and voters.
