Trump’s Businesses See a Windfall as GOP Candidates Spend Big in Bid for His Endorsement

Trump-Endorsed Candidates Boost His Businesses with Campaign Spending

Late last year, former President Donald Trump endorsed Bernie Moreno, a car dealership owner from Ohio with no prior political experience, for the state’s Senate seat. This endorsement elevated Moreno over more established Republicans. Just days after receiving Trump’s support, Moreno’s campaign spent approximately $17,000 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. The following month, an additional $79,000 was spent, making Moreno one of the top political spenders at the Florida club. According to a CNN report, 2024 is on track to be the biggest year of spending at Trump’s businesses since 2016.

Candidates’ Campaigns Funnel Money into Trump’s Properties

Trump has managed to convert his political influence into substantial financial gain. Over the past decade, his three presidential campaigns and associated political groups have channeled more than $28 million into his businesses. This trend reflects how GOP candidates and political groups are spending millions at Trump properties, both to gain his favor and to signal their allegiance to Republican voters.

Federal campaign finance data shows that some of the largest spenders on Trump businesses are political newcomers who have received Trump’s endorsement despite having little prior electoral experience. This includes figures like Bernie Moreno, former Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker, and Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake.

A Strategic Relationship

In the first half of 2024, federal campaigns and PACs spent nearly $3.2 million on Trump businesses, with over 80% coming from Trump’s own campaign and affiliated groups. The largest portion of this spending—about $1.9 million—was directed toward a Trump-owned company that operates his private jet, commonly referred to as “Trump Force One.”

Mar-a-Lago remains a focal point for political spending, with campaigns and committees directing more than $1 million to the resort so far this year. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s campaign, defended the expenditures, stating that “committees are paying the fair market rate for all venues and services” provided by Trump’s businesses.

Trump’s Endorsement and Its Financial Impact

The interplay between political spending at Trump’s businesses and his endorsements demonstrates how his influence boosts his financial bottom line. As Daniel Weiner, director of the Brennan Center’s Elections and Government Program, noted, “He’s clearly now in complete control of the Republican Party. Patronizing his businesses has become one of the accepted ways that candidates and public officials express their loyalty to the party’s leader.”

Bernie Moreno’s campaign serves as a prime example. After securing Trump’s endorsement in December 2023, Moreno spent close to $100,000 at Mar-a-Lago in subsequent months. This spending appears to have paid off, as Moreno emerged victorious in a competitive primary in March 2024, overcoming more experienced Republican rivals.

Herschel Walker, another candidate who benefited from Trump’s early endorsement, spent nearly $215,000 at Trump properties during his unsuccessful 2022 Senate campaign in Georgia. Despite his campaign being marred by scandals, including allegations of domestic abuse and claims that he paid for abortions, Walker’s fundraising events at Trump properties raised over a million dollars, showcasing the financial benefits of associating with Trump’s brand.

Trump’s Financial Interests in Campaign Spending

While the political spending at Mar-a-Lago often garners the most attention, Trump’s campaign payments to his own businesses extend beyond the resort. His campaign and associated committees have spent more than $14 million on air travel through TAG Air, Inc., a company that operates Trump’s Boeing 757 jet. This consistent funneling of campaign funds into his enterprises is part of a broader pattern that has been evident throughout his political career.

Although it is legal for candidates to spend campaign funds at their own businesses, provided they pay a fair market rate, ethical concerns remain. Donors may not fully realize that their contributions are indirectly enriching Trump, raising questions about the blurred lines between his political and business interests.

A Changing Landscape at Trump Properties

The rise in political spending at Trump properties reflects a broader shift in the nature of these venues. Mar-a-Lago, once known for its social events, has increasingly become a hub for political fundraising and gatherings catering to Trump’s conservative base. As Laurence Leamer, author of a book on Trump’s ties to Mar-a-Lago, observed, the club has transformed significantly, leading some long-time patrons to distance themselves as the environment becomes more political.

As the 2024 election cycle continues, the merging of Trump’s political influence and business interests shows no signs of slowing down. For many GOP candidates, spending at Trump’s properties remains a key strategy for securing his endorsement and boosting their political standing.