Since leaving the White House, Donald Trump’s aircraft fleet has undergone significant improvements and is now generating millions of dollars in revenue, mostly through self-dealing tactics. Despite his estimated net worth of $6.4 billion, Trump has not made any personal donations to his 2024 presidential campaign, instead relying on funds raised from supporters. Meanwhile, his businesses have been charging his campaign for various services, resulting in the transfer of $4.6 million in campaign funds into his business empire.
The majority of these funds, about $4.2 million, have been directed towards Trump’s aviation company, Tag Air. The Secret Service, responsible for traveling with Trump, has contributed over $800,000 towards airfare for his campaign, potentially contributing to the $4.2 million figure. Forbes estimates the value of Trump’s Boeing 757, which underwent a $4 million engine overhaul just as he left office, to be around $12 million. This election cycle, Trump is anticipated to collect even more funds as he utilizes his private jet for campaign travel, effectively converting it into a charter service.
When questioned about these transactions, a representative for the Trump campaign deflected by highlighting Joe Biden’s travel habits and Hunter Biden’s business dealings, asserting that Trump had donated his White House salary and left office with a reduced net worth. Despite committing to donate his salary and relinquishing control of his business to his sons, Trump has charged his campaign significantly more than he has contributed from his own funds. In addition to airfare, his campaign has also spent substantial sums at Mar-a-Lago, totaling $332,000.
Trump’s campaign has also allocated funds towards his other properties, with expenditures at Trump National Doral in Miami and the Trump hotel in Las Vegas. Furthermore, other Trump-associated groups have paid his businesses substantial sums, including the 2020 campaign which rented space at Trump Tower and Trump’s leadership PAC, Save America, which covered legal expenses and spent $335,000 at Trump hotels. Joint-fundraising committees involving Trump have also directed about $1 million towards his businesses since he left office.
In total, when factoring in the $4.6 million from the 2024 campaign and additional funds from other Trump-related groups, his businesses have amassed approximately $7 million since the 2020 election. Despite not making personal contributions to his campaign, Trump’s businesses have been able to benefit from the revenue generated through these self-dealing transactions. This practice has raised concerns about the ethical implications of using campaign funds to bolster his business empire, fueling further scrutiny on Trump’s financial dealings since leaving the White House.
