Trump Amasses $1.5B in Political Funds for Midterms and Beyond

The former president's massive war chest could reshape Republican politics for years to come.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Former President Donald Trump has claimed to have amassed over $1.5 billion in political funds, a staggering sum that dwarfs the amounts raised by his predecessors. This unprecedented war chest could allow Trump to wield significant influence over the upcoming midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race, though the extent to which he will choose to spend it remains uncertain.

Why it matters

Trump's massive political funds give him unparalleled influence heading into the midterm elections and beyond. The money could be used to shape the Republican agenda, target GOP lawmakers who have opposed him, and potentially play a decisive role in the next presidential race. However, Trump has a history of not always following through on his threats to spend big in races where he isn't directly running.

The details

Trump's political war chest exceeds $1.5 billion, a figure that is difficult to precisely calculate given that much of it is being collected by groups that aren't required to file regular financial disclosures. The $1.5 billion claimed by Trump is roughly equal to what he and outside groups spent on his successful 2024 reelection bid. In comparison, the various super PACs, political groups, and nonprofits supporting President Joe Biden raised only about $97 million during Biden's first year in office. Trump's allies say the main benefit of the massive funds is unmatched influence heading into November's midterm elections, though the extent to which Trump will open his pocketbook in congressional races remains to be seen.

  • Trump announced the $1.5 billion figure on social media just after the 2024 election.
  • The $1.5 billion claimed by Trump is roughly equal to what he and outside groups spent on his successful 2024 reelection bid.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who has amassed over $1.5 billion in political funds.

Joe Biden

The current president, whose various super PACs, political groups, and nonprofits raised only about $97 million during his first year in office.

MAGA Inc.

A pro-Trump super PAC that raised over $100 million in the last six months of 2025 and entered this year with more than $300 million.

Republican National Committee

The RNC reported raising $172 million last year.

Securing American Greatness

A pro-Trump nonprofit that is only required to release limited information about its finances.

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What they’re saying

“One of the main reasons a lame-duck president might want to amass this much money is to maintain political relevance. Certainly he's been far more aggressive about this than any of his predecessors.”

— Daniel Weiner, Former Federal Election Commission attorney and current director of the Brennan Center's Elections and Government Program (The Associated Press)

“Because there are virtually no restrictions on what super PAC money can be used for, it essentially can be operated as a slush fund at the disposal of whoever controls it.”

— Daniel Weiner, Former Federal Election Commission attorney and current director of the Brennan Center's Elections and Government Program (The Associated Press)

“Each of these wealthy individuals, corporations, they are ponying up for a purpose. What we're seeing with Trump's administration is just an unprecedented level of pay-to-play.”

— Saurav Ghosh, Federal campaign finance reform director at the Campaign Legal Center (The Associated Press)

What’s next

Trump has vowed political consequences for Republicans opposing his tariff policies, and could spend big to hurt them in GOP primaries. Chief among his targets is Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, who opposed Trump's tax and spend package and defied the White House in helping force the release of federal files on Jeffrey Epstein.

The takeaway

Trump's massive political war chest gives him unparalleled influence heading into the midterm elections and beyond, raising concerns about the potential for unchecked influence and 'pay-to-play' politics. However, the extent to which he will choose to leverage this money remains uncertain, as Trump has a history of not always following through on threats to spend big in races where he isn't directly running.