Trump plans fundraising push to retain influence after midterm losses

President Donald Trump has told advisers he intends to keep raising money for his political operation after Republicans suffered major losses in the midterm elections, a plan that could help him maintain influence over the party as he enters his final years in office.

The fundraising could continue through MAGA Inc., his super PAC, or another organization. Trump could use the money to support allies and challenge Republican lawmakers who break with him, including in future election campaigns.

Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress, flipping at least seven Republican-held Senate seats. In Texas, Trump-backed Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn in a May runoff, but then lost the Senate race to Democratic state Rep. James Talarico. Talarico is the first Democrat to win a Texas Senate seat since 1988.

MAGA Inc. spent more than $400 million on the midterms, and had $164 million remaining on October 14. The amount left after election spending is unclear. The super PAC has raised about $450 million since 2025, with major donations from AI and cryptocurrency companies and donors such as Elon Musk.

The nonprofit Campaign Legal Center has accused MAGA Inc. of operating as a pay-for-play vehicle; the PAC has denied the allegation. With Democrats set to control Congress, possible investigations into donor influence could make fundraising more difficult. Donors may also shift their attention to the 2028 election.

Trump’s donor-funded machine aims to keep GOP in line

Republicans’ midterm defeat has not stopped Donald Trump from seeking to keep his grip on the party. He has told advisers he plans to continue raising money through MAGA Inc. or another political operation, giving him a financial tool to shape Republican races as he enters his lame-duck years.

That money could be used to back loyalists and threaten the reelection campaigns of lawmakers who break with him. Trump has already used his political operation against intraparty critics, including in the campaign against Rep. Thomas Massie. His plan signals that he intends to keep wielding power even after voters handed Democrats control of both chambers of Congress.

MAGA Inc. spent more than $400 million in the midterms and had $164 million left on October 14, though the post-election balance is unclear. It has raised about $450 million since 2025, including large contributions from AI and cryptocurrency companies and Elon Musk.

The Campaign Legal Center has accused the super PAC of being a pay-for-play operation, a charge the PAC denies. Democratic control of Congress could bring scrutiny of alleged donor influence, while donors may reconsider giving after the Republican losses. The stakes are clear: a wealthy political operation could help Trump maintain his leverage over a party voters just rebuked.

Trump plans to keep political operation strong after GOP losses

Donald Trump is preparing to keep his political operation funded after Republicans lost both chambers of Congress, preserving a way to support allies and push back against GOP lawmakers who turn against him. The plan is a bid to remain an influential force in the party as he enters his final years in office.

Trump has told advisers he will continue fundraising through MAGA Inc. or another organization. The money could help shape future Republican contests, including campaigns against lawmakers who break with him. His supporters may see that as a means of defending the party’s direction after a damaging election, while critics will portray it as an effort to punish dissent.

MAGA Inc. spent more than $400 million in the midterms and held $164 million on October 14, although the amount remaining after the election is not clear. The PAC has raised about $450 million since 2025, with major contributions from AI and cryptocurrency companies and notable donors such as Elon Musk.

The nonprofit Campaign Legal Center has alleged that the PAC operates on a pay-for-play basis, while MAGA Inc. denies the charge. Democrats’ control of Congress could bring investigations into donor influence and make future fundraising harder. Donors may also focus their resources on the 2028 election. The contest now is over whether Trump can keep his political network intact despite his party’s losses.