Commonwealth Policy Center

Former President Donald Trump is, as you know, running for president again in 2024, but a good chunk of his fundraising has little to do with winning the election. Trump and his political action committee have spent over $50 million on legal fees. That’s $50 million from donors diverted from his campaign to his court battles. Last week, a jury awarded $83 million in damages to E. Jean Carroll in a defamation case against Trump. The jury award is likely excessive and is being challenged by Trump. Yet Republican donors are also considering the wisdom of underwriting a candidacy that’s plagued by legal troubles. Likewise, many Republican primary voters are asking themselves if he’s the best candidate to represent them and the conservative cause in the general election.