Trump's post-election fundraising pulls in $150M and counting (1 Viewer)

[superchuck500]

Why stop when Trump supporters keep sending money? So in his final act, the reality-show, infomercial president is shaking down his supporters with regular emails describing a fight that isn't, asking for funds to fight that fight . . . that are actually available (up to 70%) to pay down other debts and who knows what.

And Republicans are standing there, watching their base get fleeced.

 

[JRad]

The “billionaire” could really use those donations, guys. Keep it coming!

 

[Saintman2884]

Why stop when Trump supporters keep sending money? So in his final act, the reality-show, infomercial president is shaking down his supporters with regular emails describing a fight that isn't, asking for funds to fight that fight . . . that are actually available (up to 70%) to pay down other debts and who knows what.

And Republicans are standing there, watching their base get fleeced.

These "funds" to raise further money for more fruitless voter fraud lawsuits or baseless asinine arguments advocating voter suppression are really aimed at helping Trump's legal defense team's strategy to fight off state of N.Y A.G. attempts to convict him of financial irregularities, misappropriation of funds, money laundering, other as-of-yet undisclosed, undiscovered financial crimes (and they do exist, realistically) and his huge, large enormous debts to Russian oil and natural gas oligarchs and creditors who don't take kindly or are not particularly kind and patient to businessmen who owe them large sums of money in the realm of hundreds of millions of dollars who struggle or are unable to pay it.

I think this has been Trump's plan from the beginning.

Republican lawmakers, OTOH, can't control really how most of their base spends their money. Now, their lack of resolve and sense of purpose and responsibility to hold Trump's more idiotic ramblings or distortions accountable is shameless any way you look at it but if you examine and analyze Republican lawmakers lack of reaction and criticism towards Trump's unhinged claims, you'll see it as a risky, calculated play to keep as much of Trump's base as possible under their control without Trump.

One could make a decent post-quantative analysis that Trump's loss aside, this past 2020 election really wasn't that damaging but was more successful for GOP that most election forecasters or pollsters predicted it would be, as part of their "blue wave tsunami" dissipating into fanciful wishful thinking.

 

[wardorican]

What are the boundaries for campaign finance laws? How long can a campaign function? Did he have to change campaigns?

 

[JRad]

What are the boundaries for campaign finance laws? How long can a campaign function? Did he have to change campaigns?

Reminds me, I still have to look this up, but just thinking out loud. I thought campaign finance laws stated you couldn't keep money raised for a campaign for personal use. I'm assuming it has something to do with it being in a PAC.

 

[superchuck500]

Reminds me, I still have to look this up, but just thinking out loud. I thought campaign finance laws stated you couldn't keep money raised for a campaign for personal use. I'm assuming it has something to do with it being in a PAC.

I think this post-election fundraising is all through the Trump Make America Great Again Committee and some PAC. I don't think there are contribution limits because a MAGA guy in Texas has sued to get his $2.5M contribution back (who the fork gives Trump $2.5M after he lost the election??).

I don't think the funds can go directly to Trump's personal use. And I don't think they can go to potential future criminal defense (as 2884 suggested). But these are shady people operating in an area rife for shadiness so who really knows.

 

[Bigdaddysaints]

Isn't a lot of it being used to pay off campaign debt? I thought I remember in the official emails, they put in fine print that x amount will be used for paying off debt.

 

[superchuck500]

Isn't a lot of it being used to pay off campaign debt? I thought I remember in the official emails, they put in fine print that x amount will be used for paying off debt.

Yes, I think a lot of it is. The first round of fund-raising said something like up to 60% of donations could be used for purposes outside fo the post-election effort (like retiring campaign debt). Now they have upped it to 70% or maybe even 75%. As long as it's disclosed, I don't think there's an issue with it.

But what fraction of donors actually realize that?

 

[DaveXA]

"A fool and his money." That's all I got.

 

[efil4]

"A fool and his money." That's all I got.

FOOLS....Plural, apparently. lol

 

[MT15]

I think this post-election fundraising is all through the Trump Make America Great Again Committee and some PAC. I don't think there are contribution limits because a MAGA guy in Texas has sued to get his $2.5M contribution back (who the fork gives Trump $2.5M after he lost the election??).

I don't think the funds can go directly to Trump's personal use. And I don't think they can go to potential future criminal defense (as 2884 suggested). But these are shady people operating in an area rife for shadiness so who really knows.

but those funds could theoretically be spent at “retreats” and events at Trump properties, couldn’t they? How many shell corporations could charge “consultant” fees to the PAC? I bet a pretty large portion of that money finds its way into Trump’s pockets.

 

[CajuninVA]

but those funds could theoretically be spent at “retreats” and events at Trump properties, couldn’t they? How many shell corporations could charge “consultant” fees to the PAC? I bet a pretty large portion of that money finds its way into Trump’s pockets.

Maybe Trump did find religion. He’s becoming a Prosperity Gospel adherent and helping people help him get closer to the almighty.

 

[Nebaghead]

Rumor is he plans to announce 2024 campaign at the same time Biden is getting inaugurated. He can be campaigning from now to the end of time and use it like a slush fund. Just keep it buried in shell accounts and over billing. He will probably do things like hold events at his properties and over bill ludicrous amounts.
He can also claim travel expenses as campaigning. Just have a donor event, speech or something else. He can use it to pay for his travel.

 

[Taurus]

What are the boundaries for campaign finance laws? How long can a campaign function? Did he have to change campaigns?

There are no rules if there's no enforcement.

The essential lesson of the Trump years, I think.

 

[Booker]

I think this post-election fundraising is all through the Trump Make America Great Again Committee and some PAC. I don't think there are contribution limits because a MAGA guy in Texas has sued to get his $2.5M contribution back (who the fork gives Trump $2.5M after he lost the election??).

I don't think the funds can go directly to Trump's personal use. And I don't think they can go to potential future criminal defense (as 2884 suggested). But these are shady people operating in an area rife for shadiness so who really knows.

Can he or his kids take salaried positions from the Committee/PAC?

 

[superchuck500]

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

$421 Million in Debt: Trump Calls It ‘a Peanut,’ but Challenges Lie Ahead (Published 2020)

The president on Thursday played down big loans he guaranteed for his struggling businesses. But much of that debt is soon to come due in the midst of declining revenue and an I.R.S. audit that could cost him over $100 million.

www.nytimes.com

Almost at the half-way point!!! Keep it Up!