Maga Inc Reaches $400m With No Spending To Boost Candidates

President Donald Trump’s war chest reached $400 million by the end of June. It still isn’t spending to boost GOP candidates for the midterms.

The MAGA Inc. super PAC added $18 million in cash on hand since the beginning of June, including with donations from NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and billionaires Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss. That brings the total raised this year to nearly $100 million.

Funds aren’t going out to help candidates, though. MAGA Inc., spent on consulting fees, bank fees, credit card payments, an online fundraising platform and an event photographer, according to FEC filings posted Monday, which account for spending last month.

A MAGA Inc. spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The lack of direct spending on candidates comes as some Republicans worry that the president and his PAC are waiting too long to spend on competitive races. There is a persistent enthusiasm gap for Republicans who are also facing an electorate concerned with the cost-of-living and an increasingly unpopular war in Iran.

James Blair, Trump’s chief political director, said last month money would be spent but wouldn’t telegraph a timeline, amount, or plan for targeting specific states.

While super PACs are supposed to operate independently, candidates, including Trump, often have significant sway over the organizations. MAGA Inc. hasn’t spent directly on a race since March, when it doled out $17,900.88 to support Rep. Clay Fuller’s campaign for his House seat in Georgia. Since then, it gave $560,000 to MAGA KY, which supported Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-Ky.) challenger, who won. MAGA KY terminated in July.

Republicans earlier this monthtold POLITICO they wish Trump would spend the war chest money. And, in May, GOP donorstold POLITICO they hoped a roadmap for spending would come soon, but that “mild panic” wouldn’t set in if there is no action by the summer.

Republicans may have to wait a couple more months. A senior White House official said last month that decisions on spending the MAGA Inc. money don’t have to be “made until after the [midterm] convention,” which isset to start Sept. 9.

Jessica Piper contributed to this report.