US President Donald Trump plans to spend up to $500 million from MAGA Inc to help Republican candidates in the November 3 midterm elections. The move comes after some Republicans raised concerns that Trump was not using the political group’s large cash reserves to help candidates fighting close races for the House and Senate.“I think I have like close to a billion dollars in the super PAC, and I’m allocating probably four or $500 million,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.“We’re going to spend a lot of money because we don’t want to lose our country.”Trump said he would decide where the money should go, including backing Republican candidates he believes can win competitive races.“I’m going to spend whatever amount of money necessary to try and help us,” Trump said, as cited by Reuters. “This is my money that I control.”MAGA Inc reported $403.45 million in cash on hand as of July 31, according to its latest Federal Election Commission filing. That is less than half the “close to a billion dollars” Trump said was available.The group has spent about $21 million since the start of 2025, including $1.7 million on independent expenditures. It has also started some activity in battleground states, including paying for an event featuring Vice President JD Vance in Michigan this week.Despite this, MAGA Inc has not spent anything close to the amount Trump said he plans to use before the election. According to AP, this funding is larger than the cash reserves of any of the major party committees.
Spending push comes late in campaign
Republican candidates and party officials have been waiting for MAGA Inc to increase its spending. Some GOP officials and strategists had reportedly worried that the group’s large war chest would remain unused.Trump’s plan also comes with only about two months left before Election Day. A large last-minute advertising push may not have the impact Republicans want, as some voters may have already made up their minds and television advertising space may be limited.It is also not clear how much Trump has spent so far.One race Republicans are particularly worried about is the Senate contest in Texas between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico. Trump backed Paxton over incumbent Republican John Cornyn, despite the wishes of Senate Republican leaders.Trump had already said this week that he would take a more active role in the midterm campaign. On Wednesday, he said he would make “a lot of stops” to campaign for Republican House and Senate candidates and pledged to travel to Alaska to support Sen. Dan Sullivan.“I’m going to help a lot of the congressmen and senators that need help,” Trump said Friday.
Beyond this election
Trump also said some of the money could be used in 2028, when voters will choose the next president. Federal rules do not require MAGA Inc to spend all its money during this election cycle. The group can keep the funds for political activity in future elections or other authorised uses.Although Trump described the money as funds he controls, it is not his personal money. The FEC lists MAGA Inc as an “unauthorized” hybrid PAC. It does not seek donations for a specific candidate.Its “non-contribution account” can accept unlimited donations and spend money independently to support or oppose candidates. However, the money cannot be given directly to candidates. Trump also gave another estimate of the planned spending at the Oval Office event.“I’m going to spend whatever amount of money necessary to try to help us,” Trump said. “This is money from MAGA Inc. This is money that I control.”
