Trump's Legal Money Machine Runs Dry as Lawyers Go Unpaid

Save America PAC and MAGA PAC struggle with mounting debts and dwindling cash reserves.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:27am

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting a lone legal document or gavel bathed in warm, dramatic lighting, conveying the financial strain and melancholy surrounding Trump's legal troubles.As Trump's legal money machine sputters, the former president's loyal donors are left footing the bill for his mounting legal battles.NYC Today

Former President Donald Trump's legal defense funds, the Save America PAC and MAGA PAC, are facing a financial crisis as they owe millions in unpaid legal bills to law firms representing Trump in various lawsuits. The PACs, which have funneled over $50 million towards Trump's legal fees in 2023 alone, are now running low on cash and struggling to pay the mounting debts.

Why it matters

This story highlights how Trump has exploited campaign finance laws to avoid personal liability for his mounting legal costs, instead diverting his supporters' donations to cover his legal bills. As the PACs' financial situation deteriorates, it raises questions about the sustainability of Trump's legal defense strategy and the impact on his supporters who have contributed to these funds.

The details

According to FEC filings, Save America PAC has only $1.19 million in cash on hand while owing $1.6 million in unpaid legal bills. MAGA PAC is in even worse shape, with only $28,087 in cash against $763,000 in debts. Trump's legal bills have been astronomical, with the two PACs funneling $50 million towards his legal fees in 2023 alone. The law firms owed the most money are NechelesLaw LLP and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, including Susan Necheles, the lead partner at NechelesLaw who represented Trump in the 2024 New York 'hush money' case.

  • In 2023, Trump's PACs spent nearly $2.3 million on legal fees.
  • Since January 2026, Save America transferred an additional $1.6 million to MAGA PAC in a desperate attempt to keep both committees solvent.
  • MAGA PAC spent another $1.3 million on legal fees in just the last quarter.

The players

Save America PAC

A political action committee used by former President Donald Trump to pay millions in legal fees.

MAGA PAC

Another political action committee used by former President Donald Trump to pay his legal bills.

NechelesLaw LLP

A law firm that represented Trump in the 2024 New York 'hush money' case and is owed a significant amount of money by Trump's PACs.

Susan Necheles

The lead partner at NechelesLaw LLP who represented Trump in the 2024 New York 'hush money' case.

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

A law firm that is owed a significant amount of money by Trump's PACs.

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What they’re saying

“It is only thanks to a gaping hole in campaign finance law, such as it is, that not a single penny of those payments will come from the president directly. Instead, those debts will all likely be covered courtesy of his loyal donors, many of whom were never told exactly where their contributions would be going.”

— Hayes Brown

The takeaway

This case highlights how Trump has exploited campaign finance laws to avoid personal liability for his mounting legal costs, instead diverting his supporters' donations to cover his legal bills. As the PACs' financial situation deteriorates, it raises questions about the sustainability of Trump's legal defense strategy and the impact on his supporters who have contributed to these funds.