Former President Donald Trump said Monday that he may “spend” his own money on his 2024 presidential campaign, something he hasn’t done in a campaign since 2016.
“I can do it,” Trump told reporters at 40 Wall Street in Lower Manhattan. “It’s none of your business.”
“I have a lot of money and a great company,” Trump said. “I can spend a lot of money on my campaign.”
The former president said that New York Judge Arthur Engoron, who ruled that Trump owes $464 million in a state civil fraud case against him, does not want Trump to use his money to get elected.
“They don’t want me to cash out,” Trump said, referring to both Engoro and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Trump made the remarks after leaving a Manhattan courtroom for a criminal hearing in New York. Judge Juan Merchan, presiding over the quiet money case, decided that the trial will begin on April 15.
While he was on trial, the state appeals court ruled Trump and he have 10 days to send a $175 million settlement to the defendants in a New York civil fraud case.down from the $464 million judgment originally due Monday.
Trump claimed in a post on Truth Social on Friday said that he has about 500 million dollars he planned to use it in his 2024 presidential campaign. The former president did not disclose this enters his own money Presidential campaigns since 2016, including a $10 million donation just days before his election. Instead, he relied more on small-dollar online donations to fuel his political efforts.
Biden’s campaign has significantly outraised Trump during this presidential term, with Biden’s campaign closing in February with $71 million in the bank, compared to Trump’s $33.5 million. The gap widens when the Democratic and Republican caucuses are also taken into account.
Ben Kamisar and Garrett Haake contributed.