Trump's groups raked in over $80 million in the first half 2021. A large portion of that was transferred from Trump-affiliated accounts. Some of his funds were used for salaries for political advisers and aides as well as travel expenses, events and fundraising outreach to supporters. In addition, he spent over $8 million on legal fees to various companies and attorneys in order to help him in his efforts to alter the outcome of the 2020 election and defend his case in a second impeachment hearing. Trump made one outside expenditure to an organization: $1 million to America First Policy Institute. This think tank was started by a few of his former aides after he lost the White House.Trump's spending choices suggest that he realizes that the Arizona audit was a ruse and that he is more interested in saving money than he supports others'. Trump's spending habits are also in direct contrast to his public statements and fundraising appeals since leaving office.Trump's success in raising money has been based on his repeated baseless claims that the election was stolen, his appeal for support for audits and reviews of election results in states such as Arizona and his promise to continue moving the MAGA movement forward even though he is not currently in the White House. He has teased a possible run for the presidency in 2024 but has repeatedly pledged to help Republicans regain control of Congress by offering his endorsement and holding rallies supporting candidates.A Trump spokesperson confirmed that none of Trump's political committees had spent any money in Arizona. This is in addition to other efforts like the lawsuit calling in Fulton County, Georgia, for an audit. Before FEC filings became public, the Washington Post first reported that there was no funding for the Arizona audit.A Trump adviser claimed that Trump had recently cut checks to candidates he supports. However, those checks would not be visible in the July filing. Trump also sought credit Monday for the total amount of money major Republican campaign committees raised in this year's election. He stated that they did it using his name and likeness throughout many of their efforts.Trump stated that he was happy to see the whole party reap the benefits of Trump's leadership.Trump refused to transfer money to GOP committees or other Republicans, but he did spend substantial amounts on lawyers. Make America Great Again PAC was Trump's campaign committee and became a political-action committee in 2021. It spent over $1 million on legal fees for mega companies Jones Day and Harder LLP, Charles Harder's law firm. Harder represented Trump in lawsuits brought against him by Stormy Daniels, a porn star, and in defamation suits against media companies.Carolyn Kaster/AP PhotoDuring Trump's second impeachment trial, Trump's Make America Great Again PAC paid the legal consulting fees. Collectively, the three Trump impeachment lawyers, Bruce Castor and Michael van der Veen were paid more than $600,000.Additionally, Kasowitz, Benson, Torres, LLP was awarded more than $2.5million. This was the amount paid to Marc Kasowitz, a New York lawyer who represented Trump in high-profile lawsuits. He also served as Trump's private counsel during his Russia investigation.Trump's focus almost exclusively shifted to subverting the election results, and other recount efforts, after the November 2020 election. Only a fraction of the $2 million spent in recount-related legal consultation in states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia where Trump's campaign filed lawsuits to challenge the election result was used for the people who were the face of Trump's crusade.According to filings, Jenna Ellis was paid $22,000 by Trump's MAGA PAC. She appeared almost every day on television and at hearings in local areas to defend Trumps election dispute. When she was asked for comment, Ellis said that this publication did not know what her representation agreement was and that she didn't care. Trump is known to pay associates or aides through limited liability corporations which makes it virtually impossible to track their earnings.Rudy Giuliani was Trump's attorney. He led efforts to reverse the election and promoted false theories about widespread voter fraud. However, he was only paid more than $75,000. This payment was not for legal fees but travel expenses. Giuliani's spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Trump's spokesperson stated that Giuliani was only paid for expenses and not legal fees.Giulianis was frustrated by the lack of remuneration and sent a tweet Monday to his longtime friend and personal attorney, expressing frustration. It read, "Just another example of loyalists being left to the slaughter."
