In a bid to win favor with former President Donald Trump as the 2024 election approaches, several Republican candidates and campaigns have been splurging on expenses at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. According to recent reports, the financial disclosures reveal some eye-opening spending by various GOP figures.
Kari Lake, the presumptive Republican nominee for Arizona’s open US Senate seat, has spent a whopping $21,638.08 on catering and facility rental services at Mar-a-Lago since the beginning of the 2024 election cycle. A staunch supporter of Trump, Lake has echoed his claims of election fraud and has refused to concede her previous gubernatorial race loss.
Other notable expenses include Representative Matt Gaetz’s campaign spending $302.81 on a single meal at Mar-a-Lago, and Representative Greg Steube dropping $1,181.17 on travel expenses to the resort. Fellow Florida Representative Brian Mast spent a total of $13,805.45 at the estate, while Representative Max Miller of Ohio, a former Trump administration official, splurged $36,635.03 on catering expenses.
The financial disclosures also shed light on Bernie Moreno, a former candidate for the Republican Senate seat in Ohio, who spent $13,120.88 on catering at Mar-a-Lago in April 2023. Moreno, who was endorsed by Trump and recently won the nomination, is among the many candidates seeking Trump’s support.
Overall, Trump’s own presidential campaign and fundraising committee have spent a significant amount at Mar-a-Lago, totaling $605,762.30. As the Republican candidates vie for Trump’s endorsement and support, their lavish spending at his resort underscores the importance of aligning with the former president in the upcoming election.