According to Mediaite, the Patriot Legal Defense Fund, established by former President Donald Trump’s campaign to raise money for his legal expenses, has reportedly raised only $1.6 million over a six-month period, according to a report from The Daily Beast. Notably, $1 million of this amount came from a single couple. The fund claims its purpose is to cover legal expenses related to defending against legal actions arising from political participation, but its expenditures tell a different story.
Over the past six months, the Patriot Legal Defense Fund spent just $28,578, with a substantial portion going to expenses seemingly unrelated to legal defense. For instance, Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club received $18,136 for “banquet hall” fees in late November. The second-largest payout was directed to Trump political adviser Michael Glassner, who manages the fund, receiving $2,500 for “consulting” through his public affairs firm C&M Transcontinental.
Notably, the fund reported no legal expenses, despite its stated mission. This contrasts with Trump’s historical challenges with mounting legal fees, raising questions about the fund’s purpose and how it aligns with the former president’s actual legal needs.
THE FUND SAYS ITS PURPOSE IS TO “RAISE MONEY AND PAY FOR OR HELP DEFRAY LEGAL EXPENSES RELATED TO DEFENDING AGAINST LEGAL ACTIONS ARISING FROM AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP’S PARTICIPATION IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS.” BUT NONE OF ITS EXPENSES APPEAR RELATED TO THAT MISSION.
IN FACT, THE PATRIOT LEGAL DEFENSE FUND SPENT JUST $28,578 OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS, WITH TRUMP’S MAR-A-LAGO CLUB GETTING $18,136 FOR “BANQUET HALL” FEES IN LATE NOVEMBER. THE SECOND BIGGEST PAYOUT WENT TO TRUMP POLITICAL ADVISER MICHAEL GLASSNER, WHO RUNS THE FUND AND RECEIVED $2,500 FOR “CONSULTING,” PAID THROUGH HIS PUBLIC AFFAIRS FIRM C&M TRANSCONTINENTAL
A REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE FUND DID NOT IMMEDIATELY REPLY TO THE DAILY BEAST’S REQUEST FOR COMMENT.
IT’S UNCLEAR WHY THE FUND REPORTED NO LEGAL EXPENSES. TRUMP HAS BEEN HEMORRHAGING CASH FOR YEARS DUE TO EVER-MOUNTING LEGAL FEES, AND THAT PRESSURE HAS ONLY INCREASED AFTER THE PLDF LAUNCHED IN JULY.
The news of the Patriot Legal Defense Fund’s modest fundraising comes at a time when Trump is promoting digital trading cards through Truth Social, a platform he launched. Trump introduced a new series called the “Mugshot Edition” and emphasized the popularity of his previous digital trading card collections. The former president is offering an actual, physical card to those who spend over $4,600 on 47 or more digital cards, adding another layer to his fundraising efforts.
