Former President Donald Trump’s defense in his ongoing criminal trial is being funded by his supporters, as Federal Election Commission filings show that his PAC Save America has paid millions to the law firms representing him in his trial over hush money payments. Lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, partners at Blanche Law, have received approximately $4.9 million from Save America between April 2023 and April 30, with Blanche also representing Trump in his two federal court criminal cases. Susan Necheles, another attorney for Trump, has been paid approximately $1.7 million by Save America during the same period.
The exact breakdown of how the funds were allocated between Blanche and Bove is unclear, but Blanche also represents Trump in other criminal cases, so some of the funds may have been for those services. As of the end of April, Trump still owed Blanche Law $837,376. In total, Save America has paid around $6.6 million to the law firms representing Trump in his hush money case as of April, not including the outstanding debt to Blanche Law. The total legal fees paid by Save America since Trump was indicted in Manhattan in March 2023 exceed $50 million.
Trump’s hush money trial 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 currently paying Blanche, Bove, and Necheles as the trial continues in May, with May spending not reported to the FEC until the end of June. Blanche’s representation of Trump has come under scrutiny during the trial, particularly after an April hearing in which Judge Juan Merchan questioned Blanche’s credibility in claiming Trump did not violate a gag order.
Trump is facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election to cover up her affair allegations. He has pleaded not guilty and his lawyers argue that the reimbursement payments made to Michael Cohen were personal expenses, not business payments. Trump has faced criticism for using donations to fund his legal expenses, particularly through Save America, which has become the main vehicle for paying his lawyers. Campaign finance experts have raised concerns about using donor funds for legal expenses, but enforcement by the FEC is seen as unlikely.
The ex-president’s legal troubles continue to grow, with multiple criminal and civil cases pending against him. He has relied on the support of his donors to cover significant legal expenses, raising questions about the transparency and ethics of using campaign funds for personal legal defense. Trump’s use of Save America to fund his legal defense highlights the complexities of campaign finance laws and the lack of oversight in enforcing them. As his hush money trial proceeds, the financial arrangements between Trump, Save America, and his legal team remain under scrutiny.
