Trump's 2016 presidential campaign paid millions of dollars to his own businesses, including for using his aircraft, compensating his relatives, and renting space in Trump properties like Trump Tower, his golf club, and Mar-a-Lago resort.[1] Such payments are legal as long as the campaign pays fair market value, but the scale of payments to Trump's own businesses was unprecedented.[1] The campaign paid at least $12.8 million to Trump's businesses by the end of 2016.[1]

While campaigns can pay for legitimate expenses, federal regulations prohibit using campaign funds for personal use like mortgage, rent, entertainment, country club fees, and some legal expenses unrelated to being a candidate.[2] However, Trump took the unusual step of declaring his 2020 re-election candidacy early, allowing him to continue receiving such payments indefinitely.[1]

Sources [1] Trump's Campaign Paid Millions To His Own Properties, FEC Documents Say https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/02/03/512888131/trumps-campaign-paid-millions-to-his-own-properties-fec-documents-say [2] Candidate | Personal use - FEC https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements/personal-use/ [3] How Private Money From Facebook's CEO Saved The 2020 Election https://www.npr.org/2020/12/08/943242106/how-private-money-from-facebooks-ceo-saved-the-2020-election [4] Bogus 'Bowling Green Massacre' Claim Snarls Trump Adviser Conway https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/02/03/513222852/bogus-bowling-green-massacre-claim-snarls-trump-adviser-conway [5] Mar-A-Lago Offers Trump And Abe A Spectacular Place To Get ... https://www.npr.org/2017/02/10/514496905/mar-a-lago-offers-trump-and-abe-a-spectacular-place-to-get-acquainted