President Donald Trump said Tuesday that more than $400 million would be spent to help Republicans retain Congress in the Nov. 3 midterms, though he gave no figures for individual races.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that more than $300 million had already gone toward advertising, voter contact, rallies and turnout efforts. He said spending would exceed $400 million by Election Day. Both totals are claims in his post; it gave no race-by-race figures.
Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show MAGA Inc., a Trump-aligned political committee, held $415.8 million in cash on Aug. 31. That balance does not establish how much of the spending Trump described has occurred or whether the committee paid for it.
MAGA Inc.’s non-contribution account may accept unlimited funds for independent spending, while its separate contribution account may make limited contributions to candidates. The Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint with the FEC on Sept. 14 alleging that Trump’s asserted control over MAGA Inc.’s spending violated federal campaign finance law. The group cited a Sept. 4 remark in which Trump described the committee’s money as “my money that I control.”
A Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted Oct. 16-19 found that 31% of U.S. adults approved of Trump’s job performance. The survey included 1,679 adults. In a separate North Carolina poll by Elon University, 43% of registered voters said Trump’s endorsement would make them less likely to support a candidate, compared with 25% who said it would make them more likely.
Republicans hold narrow majorities in the House and Senate. Voters will decide control of both chambers on Nov. 3.
