Key takeaways:
In September 2026, Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging that President Donald Trump broke federal campaign finance law by raising and spending “soft money” via MAGA Inc., a “hybrid” PAC that, like a super PAC, can raise and spend unlimited sums and accept corporate contributions.
President Trump has repeatedly and explicitly said that he controls and directs MAGA Inc.’s spending, even saying that the group's war chest was “my money that I control.”
The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) bars federal officeholders, including President Trump, from directing the activities of outside groups like MAGA Inc. that can raise and spend unlimited money to influence elections.
As the campaign finance landscape continues to shift — with more and more big money pouring into elections — individuals and entities are increasingly brazen about their flouting of campaign finance laws and precedent. That includes President Donald Trump and a political committee called MAGA Inc.
In September 2026, Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging that President Trump violated federal campaign finance laws based on his repeated, explicit statements that he controls and directs MAGA Inc., which has raised over $400 million and is a major player in the 2026 midterm elections.
Federal law and decades of campaign finance precedent make clear that federal officeholders like President Trump are barred from controlling or operating entities like MAGA Inc. that raise and spend “soft money.” Flouting those rules — as President Trump has — opens the door to corruption, creating opportunities for deep-pocketed special interests to buy influence in our government. That’s why Campaign Legal Center is calling on the FEC to hold the president accountable.
What is soft money?
"Soft money” refers to funds raised outside of federal contribution limits and which are not subject to the ban on contributions from corporations and unions. When raised with or for candidates, it creates serious corruption concerns, allowing wealthy special interests to direct large sums of money to buy access and influence over candidates and elected officials.
What is MAGA Inc. and who controls it?
MAGA Inc. is a “hybrid” PAC with an account that functions like a super PAC, which means that it can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money, including corporate funds. During the 2026 election cycle, MAGA Inc. raised over $400 million — almost entirely from a small group of ultrawealthy individuals, corporations and special interest groups.
President Trump has never hidden his close affiliation with MAGA Inc., which is named for his “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan and for which he has headlined fundraisers. Under federal law, entities like MAGA Inc. that raise and spend unlimited funds to influence elections may not be controlled by federal officeholders like the president.
Nonetheless, President Trump has openly admitted that he personally directs MAGA Inc.’s spending and priorities:
President Trump corrected a reporter who said MAGA Inc. was run by his allies, interjecting: “Not my allies, I control it”;
He added that spending decisions were up to him: “I could spend it on pretty much anything I want”;
He described MAGA Inc.’s war chest as “my money that I control”;
In apparent reference to MAGA Inc.’s election spending, he posted about what “I have spent”; and
After facing significant backlash for using taxpayer dollars to fund blatantly political ads touting his achievements ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, President Trump shifted gears and said that MAGA Inc. would pay for the ad placements instead — once again underscoring his illegal control and direction of MAGA Inc.’s spending decisions.
Campaign Legal Center Action and our partners sued the administration over the use of taxpayer money to fund these illegal ads and successfully stopped the administration from continuing to run them through Election Day.
President Trump’s control of this $400 million pot of soft money is plainly illegal under long-standing federal law.
What is the Federal Election Campaign Act?
The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) bars federal officeholders — such as the president — and entities that they establish, finance, maintain or control — such as MAGA Inc. — from soliciting, directing or spending soft money in connection with a federal election.
These prohibitions prevent big donors and wealthy special interests from circumventing federal contribution limits by funneling massive amounts of money to entities closely affiliated with officeholders that are not fully regulated by FECA. They also prevent officeholders from becoming beholden to such donors.
FECA’s soft money prohibitions have been a critical safeguard against corruption and serve to ensure electoral transparency by preventing federal officeholders and candidates from using soft money to influence federal elections.
Why is enforcing campaign finance laws important?
Enforcing campaign finance laws is essential to guard against corruption — including “pay-to-play” schemes — and preserves transparency and accountability in our elections.
This is why Campaign Legal Center has taken legal action to hold President Trump, MAGA Inc., and other individuals and entities accountable when they break federal campaign finance law. We’re working to root out corruption from our political system and ensure that politicians are accountable to the people they serve — not to ultra-rich and powerful special interests. Join us.