WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump announced during a rally in South Carolina on August 21, 2026, that he has raised approximately $850 million to support Republican candidates. He stated his intention to deploy these funds alongside his personal resources to assist contenders he views as strong.

The fundraising claim comes as Make America Great Again Inc. an American super PAC that supports Donald Trump, continues its operations. The organization was founded on September 23, 2022. As a super PAC, Make America Great Again Inc. can raise unlimited money for campaigns and spend it freely to support Trump, but it is barred from coordinating directly with presidential campaigns.

MAGA Inc. had raised $401 million by the end of the second quarter. The committee spent approximately $1.7 million in the previous year. Prior to a recent donation to Senator Darline Graham, MAGA Inc. spent approximately $18,000 on midterm races in 2026. The committee donated $827,000 to Senator Graham's campaign.

Darline Lettie Graham Nordone is an American politician serving as the junior United States senator from South Carolina, a seat she has held since July 14, 2026. Graham was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of her older brother, Lindsey Graham, and is the first woman to represent South Carolina in the United States Senate. Graham is American politician (born 1964).

Securing American Greatness, a nonprofit with ties to MAGA Inc. released its first nationwide advertisement. The Securing American Greatness advertisement focuses on President Trump rather than local congressional candidates. During his visit, Trump traveled to South Carolina on August 21, 2026.

Why It Matters

The discrepancy between the $850 million claimed by Trump and the $400 million held by affiliated entities per Federal Election Commission filings indicates a difference in reported figures. The scale of the reported fundraising shows the financial resources available to influence the upcoming midterm elections through independent expenditures and direct candidate support.

The focus of advertising efforts on President Trump rather than local candidates suggests a strategy centered on national visibility. The appointment of Graham as the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate adds a demographic dimension to the political landscape in which these funds are being deployed.

Timeline

Make America Great Again Inc. is an American super PAC that supports Donald Trump and was founded on September 23, 2022.

Trump traveled to South Carolina on August 21, 2026. On that date, he stated, "I've raised a lot, and nobody knows what it is, but I will tell you it's about $850 million." He also said, "I'll be spending a lot of that money for — and my own money — but I'll be spending a lot of that money for candidates that I think are good, Republican candidates." Additionally, Trump said, "Pretend, please, that I'm on the ballot. Come and vote. It's so important."

What's New

Additional reporting indicates that attending a roundtable with President Trump at the midterm convention costs $250,000 per person. A photo opportunity with President Trump at the midterm convention costs an additional $88,600. Attending a roundtable with Vice President JD Vance at the midterm convention costs $75,000 per person.

A photo opportunity with Vice President JD Vance at the midterm convention costs $35,000. The designation of "honorary delegate" at the midterm convention costs up to $20,000.