Trump says he has spent or will spend over $400 million on Republicans before midterms
In short
US President Donald Trump said on 20 October on Truth Social that more than $400 million has been or will be spent on the midterm elections, including more than $300 million already spent. Korean outlets report this as $100 million in further spending before the 3 November vote. He did not name the source of the money, and outlets said it appears to refer to the MAGA Inc. super PAC.
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US President Donald Trump said on 20 October, two weeks before the midterm elections, that he had spent or would spend more than $400 million on the vote through election day. He made the statement on Truth Social. Yonhap, Newsis and Chosun Ilbo reported that this means $300 million has been spent so far and a further $100 million will be spent in the remaining campaign period. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Trump wrote that he acted because of his belief in the Republican Party and its policies and principles, and especially after seeing what is happening in France and other parts of Europe. He called it the most important midterm election in the country's history. He said more than $300 million had already gone to advertising, direct and indirect voter contact, rallies, venues, phone campaigning, turnout programs, election integrity and other activities. He added that it was a great honour to do this for a party that has done so much to bring the country back from the brink. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Trump did not name the source of the money. Yonhap, Asia Economy and Chosun Ilbo said it appeared to refer to funds raised by MAGA Inc., a super PAC that supports him. According to the Federal Election Commission, MAGA Inc. held about $415.78 million in cash at the end of August. Yonhap and Asia Economy said the money came mainly from large donors and is not legally Trump's personal money, and Yonhap said Trump had called it money he controls. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Asia Economy said the itemised spending behind the $300 million claim had not been independently confirmed, and that MAGA Inc.'s cumulative spending reported to the FEC through the end of August was about $32.41 million. Newsis, citing Politico, reported that MAGA Inc. spent at least $244 million in September through two affiliated groups, Safety and Affordability PAC and No Going Back PAC. Politico, as quoted by Newsis, said this confirmed part of Trump's figure and was five times what the Republican National Committee spent over about three months. Newsis, citing The Hill, put the RNC's official midterm spending since mid-August at $50 million. [ 2 , 7 ]
Yonhap said the emphasis on spending appeared aimed at lifting the morale of Republican candidates struggling against Democrats in House and Senate races. Newsis said there were repeated predictions that Republicans could lose the Senate as well as the House. Korea Economic Daily said the view in Washington was that the House would pass to Democrats, while the Senate was seen as close to 50-50, and that Trump was focusing on Senate battlegrounds. [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 9 ]
Chosun Ilbo and Newsis, citing the New York Times and Politico, reported on spending by others. Elon Musk gave at least $276 million to Republicans in the third quarter, according to Politico, and Michael Bloomberg put in $80 million in September and October, according to the New York Times. Chosun Ilbo listed Trump rallies in North Carolina on 20 October, South Carolina on 21 October, Iowa on 22 October, Florida on 23 October, Georgia on 24 October and Michigan on 25 October, after a stop in Park City, Kansas, on 19 October. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
Outlets read the announcement as an effort to lift Republican candidates who are struggling against Democrats, with observers quoted as saying Republicans could lose the House and possibly the Senate. Documents note that the $300 million already spent has not been independently itemised, though Politico-based reporting confirms at least $244 million of September spending by MAGA Inc.
Key facts
- Trump said on Truth Social on 20 October, two weeks before the midterms, that he had spent or would spend more than $400 million through election day. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- He said more than $300 million had already gone to advertising, voter contact, rallies, venues, phone campaigning, turnout programs and election integrity. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Yonhap, Newsis and Chosun Ilbo described the plan as $100 million more on top of the $300 million already spent. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The midterm election is on 3 November. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- Trump did not name the source of the funds; Yonhap, Asia Economy and Chosun Ilbo said it appeared to refer to the MAGA Inc. super PAC. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Newsis, citing Politico, reported that MAGA Inc. spent at least $244 million in September through two affiliated groups, Safety and Affordability PAC and No Going Back PAC. [ 7 ]
- Trump cited what he had seen happening in France and other parts of Europe as a reason for the spending. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Trump said on 20 October that he had spent or would spend more than $400 million on the midterm elections, with more than $300 million already spent. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Trump did not specify where the money comes from, and MAGA Inc.'s funds come mainly from large donors and are not legally his personal money. [ 1 , 2 ]
- A super PAC supporting Trump has put large sums into Republican midterm campaigns, according to Newsis and Yonhap. [ 7 , 8 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the $400 million comes from MAGA Inc. Outlets said it appeared to be the case, but Trump did not specify the source.
- How the $300 million already spent breaks down. Asia Economy said the itemised spending had not been independently confirmed and that MAGA Inc.'s FEC-reported cumulative spending through the end of August was about $32.41 million; Newsis, citing Politico, said at least $244 million was confirmed for September alone.
- Trump's rally schedule for the coming days. Chosun Ilbo listed Georgia on 24 October and Michigan on 25 October, while Korea Economic Daily, published on 22 October, said he would visit Georgia and Michigan next week.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yonhap publishes its report on Trump's 20 October statement on 21 October. [ 1 ]
- Newsis publishes its report on the $100 million additional spending on 21 October. [ 3 ]
- Chosun Ilbo publishes its report, adding the Bloomberg and Musk spending, on 21 October. [ 4 ]
- Newsis publishes Politico's report on MAGA Inc.'s September spending on 21 October. [ 7 ]
- Yonhap publishes a report on the super PAC's midterm spending on 22 October. [ 8 ]