A recent Federal Election Commission filings show that former President Donald Trump’s defense in his ongoing criminal trial is being funded by his supporters. The filings reveal that Trump’s PAC, Save America, has paid approximately $6.6 million to the two law firms representing him in his hush money case as of April. Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, partners at Blanche Law, have received around $4.9 million from Save America between April 2023 and April 30, with Blanche also handling Trump’s two other criminal cases in federal court. Another attorney, Susan Necheles, who represented the Trump Organization in a criminal tax fraud case, has received approximately $1.7 million from Save America during the same period.
Since Trump’s indictment in Manhattan on March 30, 2023, Save America has spent over $50 million on legal fees. This includes payments to other lawyers representing Trump in various other cases, with some firms receiving around $7 million or more. The ongoing hush money trial, in which Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, is expected to go to the jury next week, with closing arguments scheduled for May 28. It remains unclear how much Trump and Save America are paying their legal team as the trial progresses in May, with the next FEC reporting not due until the end of June.
Blanche’s representation of Trump came under scrutiny during an April hearing regarding a potential violation of a gag order against Trump. Judge Juan Merchan expressed frustration with Blanche during the hearing, questioning his credibility in defending Trump. Despite this, Blanche continued to represent Trump in the trial, including cross-examining key witness Michael Cohen for three days.
Trump has faced criticism for using his donors to cover his legal expenses as multiple criminal and civil cases are brought against him. Save America, as the main PAC paying Trump’s legal bills, has become the primary vehicle for funding his defense. While campaign finance experts have noted that Trump’s fundraising for legal fees falls within a gray area of the law, it is unlikely that he will face consequences due to lax enforcement by the FEC. Trump’s fundraising tactics have raised concerns about transparency and accountability in campaign finance practices.
