Trump pledges more than $400 million for Republican midterm campaigns

President Donald Trump says he plans to spend more than $400 million to support Republican candidates before the November 3 midterm elections, as his party fights to keep control of Congress, according to Al Jazeera. The Guardian put the amount at $400 million.

In a Truth Social post Tuesday, Trump said more than $300 million had already gone toward campaign activity. “More than 300 Million Dollars has already been spent on Advertising, Direct and Indirect Voter Contact, Rallies, Rally Arenas, Telerallies, Get Out the Vote Programs, Election Integrity, and more,” he wrote. “It is my Great Honor to do so on behalf of the Republican Party, which has done so much to bring our Country back from the Edge of Oblivion.”

Trump called the vote “the Most Important Midterm Elections in our Country’s History.” He gave no detailed breakdown of the spending or indication of how much would go to individual races, Al Jazeera reported. The Guardian said the money would be spent through Trump’s political operation and the aligned super PAC MAGA Inc.

Republicans hold narrow majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, while Democrats are seeking to win control of both chambers. A Reuters/Ipsos poll cited by Al Jazeera found that 31% of Americans approved of Trump’s job performance. Al Jazeera reported that some Republicans have distanced themselves from the president, while others have sought more support in close contests.

The spending announcement has focused attention on MAGA Inc, which entered September with $415.8 million in cash reserves, according to a federal filing cited by Al Jazeera. Super PACs can raise unlimited sums to support or oppose federal candidates, but must spend independently of candidates’ campaigns.

Last month, the Campaign Legal Center, a campaign-finance watchdog, accused Trump of violating those independence rules by claiming control over MAGA Inc’s spending, Al Jazeera reported. The group cited a September 4 exchange in which Trump told reporters he would spend “whatever amount of money necessary” to help Republicans. “This is money from MAGA Inc. This is my money that I control,” he said.

Other Trump-aligned groups have increased their advertising. According to Al Jazeera, the ad tracker AdImpact found that the No Going Back PAC, one of two newly formed groups linked to MAGA Inc, accounted for $68.7 million in political ads last month. Al Jazeera also reported that tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has reportedly spent $366 million since last year on Republican campaigns through America PAC and other Republican and conservative groups.

Trump is campaigning for Republican candidates in the final stretch. In its live coverage, The Guardian said he had taken the stage at a North Carolina rally to support Senate nominee Michael Whatley, who was polling behind Roy Cooper, the state’s former Democratic governor. Al Jazeera reported that upcoming stops on Trump’s campaign schedule included South Carolina and Iowa.

The November vote will determine whether Republicans keep their congressional majorities for the final two years of Trump’s presidency.