Political leanings: Republican/Pro-Donald Trump
2022 total spending: $19.1 million
Make America Great Again Inc. is one of many political action committees affiliated with former President Donald Trump. The super PAC was established six weeks before the 2022 midterm elections to provide a final push for Trump-backed candidates.
Taylor Budowich, Trump’s former spokesperson, heads the group. As a super PAC, officially known as an independent expenditure-only committee, MAGA Inc. advocates the election or defeat of federal candidates without coordinating with candidates, campaigns or political parties. It can accept unlimited contributions, but it must disclose its donors.
In 2022, MAGA Inc. raised about $73.3 million, primarily from two Trump-affiliated political committees. Federal Election Commission records show the super PAC received more than $60 million from Trump’s leadership PAC Save America, and $8.9 million from MAGA, Again! Inc.
MAGA Inc. spent over $19.1 million on independent expenditures during the 2022 election, including over $14 million on ads against Democratic U.S. senatorial candidates in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Of the Democratic candidates it targeted, only Tim Ryan, then a U.S. representative, lost his race for Ohio’s open Senate seat, which was won by Republican J.D. Vance.
At the start of the 2024 cycle, the super PAC had roughly $54 million on hand from the 2022 elections, according to its FEC filings. As of June 30, it had raised over $14.6 million more in 2023. Large donors include Patricia Duggan, a prominent Scientologist and top GOP donor, and Phil Ruffin, a casino owner who co-owns Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. They have contributed $5 million and $2 million, respectively.
As of Jan. 3, MAGA Inc. had spent more than $42 million on independent expenditures, all on the 2024 presidential election. The super PAC spent roughly $9 million supporting Trump, as well as nearly $22.7 million against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and nearly $3.5 million against former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, two of Trump’s GOP primary rivals. It also put just over $7 million into opposing President Joe Biden.
FactChecking MAGA Inc.:
“Unsupported Claim About Biden Paying Rent for ‘Illegal Immigrants,’” May 15
“Pro-Trump Super PAC Edits Biden’s Past Comment About Deportations,” May 6
“Pro-Trump PAC Spars with DeSantis over Puerto Rican Statehood,” Nov. 2, 2023
“Dueling Ads: Trump and DeSantis on Social Security and Medicare,” April 20, 2023