As former President Donald Trump teases a future White House bid, a pro-democracy super PAC has accused him of violating federal campaign laws by raising money and spending it on a run without officially submitting his candidacy.
In its complaint filed Monday with the Federal Elections Commission, American Bridge accused Trump of “illegally using its multi-candidate leadership PAC to raise and spend funds exceeding Commission limits for the purpose of a presidential campaign of to promote 2024”. “payments for events at Trump properties, meetings with Mr. Trump, consulting payments to former Trump campaign personnel, and digital advertisements about Mr. Trump’s and his suspected opponent’s events in 2024.”
American Bridge claims Trump has already privately decided to mount a 2024 campaign and says he was then required to file a letter of intent for candidacy within 15 days of receiving contributions or making expenditures in excess of $5,000.
“Trump has been toying with the Federal Election Campaign Act for months,” the group said Monday, noting that the former president, through his Save America PAC, has spent more than $100,000 a week on Facebook ads “and consistently over $1 has raised million a week – a clear violation of the campaign finance law and the precedent set by the Federal Election Commission.
American Bridge wants the FEC to force disclosure of Trump’s spending and fine him “the maximum amount allowed by law”.
Taylor Budowich, a Trump spokesperson, said American Bridge’s complaint was unfounded and accused Democrats of resorting to “cheap tricks.”
“Our country is moving toward disaster from the failures of Democrats, and instead of reversing course to provide much-needed aid to American families, they are making frivolous complaints that are worth nothing.” he said.
It is unclear how the committee would proceed with the case, which adds to a backlog. Sometimes criticized as ineffective and far too slow in their decisions, the six commissioners — three Democrats and three Republicans — often get stuck along party lines, resulting in frequent layoffs.
Last year, for example, the commission left its investigation into whether Trump violated campaign finance laws when he allegedly ordered his personal attorney to pay porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 in hush money, silent on their alleged sexual relationship before the election. 2016, after his commissioners. stalled 2-2.
In February, the FEC chose not to hold Trump responsible for “soft money” violations his campaign had previously acknowledged.
Trump has been teasing the prospect of another run even before he left office. At a White House Christmas party in December 2020, Trump told guests it had been “four great years.”
“We are trying to do another four years. Otherwise, I’ll see you in four years,’ he said.
Since then, he has hinted at his plans in nearly every appearance and interview, telling conservative presenters and Trump-friendly audiences that he will wait with an announcement after the midterms because it would trigger campaign finance laws.
“I know what I’m going to do, but we’re not supposed to talk about it yet from the standpoint of the campaign finance laws, which are frankly ridiculous, okay?” Trump said during a September visit with first responders when asked if he would flee again. “But we have to live with it. But I think you’ll be happy.”
“We’ve done it twice and we’ll do it again,” he told a rally last month. “We’re going to do it again, a third time.”
“Maybe we should run again,” Trump said Saturday in South Carolina, as he campaigned for two Republican candidates to face primary challenges against members of the House he said were disloyal to him.
“In 2024, we’re going to take back that beautiful, beautiful White House. I wonder who will do that. I wonder. I wonder.”
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Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed to this report.
