TRUMP’S TRICKY TRANSFER: Watchdog group wants probe of “brazen” $20m campaign finance violation

Hey, Donald Trump, keep telling us you’re broke without telling us you’re broke. Wait, you don’t have to, because yet another investigation into the way you manage your grifted MAGA donations is about to tell us for you.

A non-partisan watchdog group called the Campaign Legal Center (CLC) has asked the U.S. Federal Election Commission (FEC) to probe a $20 million transfer — which they rightfully describe as a “colossal sum” — between two groups tied to Trump, alleging the money was illegally sponsoring his potential 2024 campaign that we all hope never happens.

The CLC’s complaint alleges that Trump “directed the transfer” of $20 million last month from the cash-flush leadership PAC Save America to Make America Great Again, Inc.,  Since leaving office in 2021, Trump has aggressively grifted money from his base for his Save America group. But under campaign finance rules he is barred from spending Save America funds on his own campaigns. Now, tell me about a time Donald Trump has ever followed a law or rule or Rule of Law everyone else has to follow.

In October, Save America transferred $20 million to MAGA Inc, which is registered with the FEC as an independent super PAC. The group spent more than $11 million supporting Republican candidates in the midterm elections and last reported having more than $23 million in the bank on October 19th.

No doubt Trump wants to hold off as long as possible on announcing his 2024 run, because his grifting will fall under campaign-finance laws.

My guess is he waits for a target letter to announce. That way, it looks to his rubes like he was indicted *because* he ran.

Easy marks. pic.twitter.com/3wfLgij5s4

— 🇺🇸🇺🇦DONALD TRUMP'S PROBATION OFFICER🇺🇦🇺🇸 (@OK_Dumbass) September 19, 2022

Thanks to its status as a super PAC, MAGA Inc. is legally able to spend unlimited sums to support or oppose political campaigns. CLC said the $20 million transfer, disclosed in a recent Federal Election Commission (FEC) filing, amounts to a “brazen attempt to circumvent the fundraising restrictions that apply to federal candidates, which are crucial to preventing corruption and its appearance.”

Campaign finance rules say the millions of dollars in Trump's PACs can't be used for his campaign if he runs in 2024. But there are concerns about whether potential violations would even be enforced by the FEC.https://t.co/2QoniRxUjd

— NPR (@NPR) August 25, 2022

Trump has repeatedly hinted that he plans to run for president again in 2024 and has invited media to his Florida estate on Tuesday for what he says will be a “major announcement.” He was supposed to be talking to the January 6th House Select Committee on Monday, and as of press time, the Committee hadn’t responded to Trump’s Hail Mary subpoena from Friday to delay his testimony. You know, because he’s so innocent and transparent.

Where is Trump going to get $ to defend himself? He’s cash poor. If he keeps looting his PAC to pay for lawyers in this case, he will commit another crime -campaign finance fraud, wire fraud etc. Those texts lots of us get? Evidence of crime if he pays lawyers with contributions.

— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) September 21, 2022

At least Trump is promoting full employment in the legal profession, even if he is no longer president…or maybe because of that.

Tara Dublin is a woefully underappreciated and unrepresented writer currently shopping a super cool novel that has nothing to do with politics while also fighting fascism on the daily.

Follow her on Twitter @taradublinrocks.

Editor’s note: This is an opinion column that solely reflects the opinions of the author.