Despite two impeachments and a deadly failed insurrection against the United States Capitol, former President Donald Trump remains the figurehead of the Republican party, enjoying high approval ratings from conservative voters in the 14 months since leaving office.
Though he lost his 2020 reelection bid to now-President Joe Biden (an election he still falsely claims was "stolen"), Trump is adamant that the GOP will take back the White House in 2024. What he's been less clear about is whether he'll be on the ticket.
Though he's said he's come to a decision, Trump has yet to say explicitly whether he'll run for a second term in 2024, though he has repeatedly teased a run to his supporters, all the while still collecting money through his Save America political action committee, which has raised more than $100 million since its establishment.
Now, American Bridge 21st Century—a Democratic super PAC—is claiming Trump's fundraising prior to an official announcement is a campaign finance violation, and the PAC has filed a complaint to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC).
The complaint reads in part:
“Trump has been illegally using his multi-candidate leadership PAC to raise and spend funds in excess of [Federal Election] Commission limits for the purpose of advancing a 2024 presidential campaign. These expenditures include payments for events at Trump properties, rallies featuring Mr. Trump, consulting payments to former Trump campaign staff, and digital advertising about Mr. Trump’s events and his presumptive 2024 opponent."
Presidential candidates are required by law to file candidacy intent statements within two weeks of receiving large contributions or spending large sums of donations. These intent statements impose conditions and oversight for how candidates can spend donations to their campaigns.
Trump himself has alluded to these conditions when discussing why he hasn't announced a run, saying in a Fox News interview last year about his potential candidacy:
“I do know my answer, but I can’t reveal it yet because that has to do with campaign financing.”
This was but one of multiple times Trump has said he knows the answer to whether he'll run but is refraining from an announcement due to campaign finance laws.
Trump's critics hope the FEC takes action.
Super, but I’ll wait to celebrate until the law actually holds him accountable for the first time in his life😒 https://t.co/FcwsxN9pr2
— 🌻 Peggi 🌻 (@p2cat) March 15, 2022
No-account, lawbreaking former president … up to his old tricks. Enough. https://t.co/Aq0iW5owwJ
— Inverted Pyramid (@DemByBirth) March 15, 2022
By indulging Trump's wink wink games while his leadership PAC illegally spends undisclosed donor millions pushing his candidacy, the media and FEC give Trump a huge boost and encourage flouting of election law. Good to call it out but the FEC needs an overhaul to do its job. https://t.co/pIqS0sT5cr
— Eric Lisann (@EricLisann) March 15, 2022
Good plan.
If he formally announces to the world what smart folks have known all along, we'll be vindicated AGAIN, and the rest of y'all will be exposed, AGAIN.
If he refuses to announce, we've protected the US from him.
Win/Win! https://t.co/TXd6lzOoDp
— Glenn Hall 🏳️🌈 (@TallMisterHall) March 14, 2022
.@American_Bridge staying focused on the fights that matter - watch this space https://t.co/YcC53TBKR5
— Drew Godinich (@DrewGodinich) March 14, 2022
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 https://t.co/50LQxURYOJ
— Matt Urquijo (@IAmMatthewU) March 14, 2022
Conservatives, of course, are none too happy.
Of all the issues to worry about, this is what Dems focus on. They’re sick in the head, all of them. https://t.co/vJnlUkOnWO
— Silvina 🌷 🇺🇸 (@SilvinaFlorida) March 14, 2022
You Democrats are constantly scraping the bottom of the barrel. Change direction and support our country instead of tearing it down! Or the voters will tear you down… https://t.co/q6rPUMjMtX
— Sarita (@Sarita_CaliGirl) March 14, 2022
Because Democracks are #USELESS. #TheEnd https://t.co/SvkdALIs1d
— SamSon⚖ (@Samson00777) March 15, 2022
It's not even midterms, and the 2024 race is already shaping up to be chaotic.
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images