Trump spent $40 million on legal costs this year

(Patria) - The political action committee (PAC) of former US President Donald Trump is expected to report that it spent about $40 million on legal costs in the first half of 2023 to defend, among others, Trump and his advisers, the Washington Post reported, citing Reuters.

The New York Times separately reported that the PAC sought a refund of $60 million it had given to another group supporting Trump, a candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the Post said the PAC's spending on legal costs prompted scrutiny by prosecutors over a potential conflict of interest between Trump and witnesses. Trump's Save America PAC is expected to disclose about $40.2 million in legal spending in a filing on Monday, the Post reported, citing people who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Trump faces dozens of federal charges in Florida for retaining sensitive government documents at his home in the state. He also faces state charges in New York following an investigation into hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Citing two unnamed people familiar with the matter, the New York Times reported that the Save America PAC, which Trump uses to pay his legal bills, faced such staggering costs this year that it requested a refund of a $60 million contribution, signaling a potential cash crunch for Trump.

Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung declined to comment on the refund request when asked by the Times. But regarding the overall spending on lawyers, he said, according to the Times, "the weaponized Department of Justice has continued to pursue innocent Americans because they worked for President Trump and know they have no legitimate case."