Former President Donald J. Trump has entered into a new shared fund-raising agreement with the Republican National Committee that prioritizes his Save America PAC over the party itself. This strategic move was revealed in the fine print of an invitation to a high-dollar dinner event in Palm Beach, where top donors are asked to contribute up to $814,600 per person. The agreement stipulates that the first $6,600 donated will go directly to Mr. Trump’s campaign, followed by $5,000 to his Save America PAC to cover legal bills, before any funds are allocated to the R.N.C.
This fund-raising arrangement comes on the heels of Mr. Trump’s significant influence within the R.N.C. as the presumptive Republican nominee. The former president has made key personnel changes, including installing a new chairman and having his daughter-in-law serve as co-chair. The fund-raising strategy also underscores Mr. Trump’s financial priorities as he gears up for the general election, with polls showing him ahead of President Biden but trailing in campaign cash. The invitation to the upcoming dinner event, expected to raise $25 million, lists prominent donors who are co-chairs and highlights the prominence of Mr. Trump’s PAC in the allocation of funds from large contributors.
While joint fund-raising agreements are common in presidential politics, Mr. Trump’s inclusion of his PAC in this arrangement highlights his unique approach to financing legal fees. Save America PAC, which has been instrumental in covering legal costs for Mr. Trump and related cases, ended February with millions in the bank and significant expenses designated for legal matters. With Mr. Trump already directing a percentage of online donations to his PAC, the agreement further solidifies his focus on utilizing donor funds for his legal defense without involving the R.N.C. in the process.
