Newly released documents in the federal election interference case against former President Donald Trump reveal how significant sums were allocated to fund the rally that preceded the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. These records shed light on the financial backing of the “Stop the Steal” movement and the extent to which organizations linked to Trump supported the events of that day.
The unsealed evidence, consisting of approximately 1,900 pages, details the budget for the rally held near the White House on January 6th and related events. This information is crucial as it forms part of the federal charges against Trump, accusing him of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results. The documents also provide insights into the atmosphere within the White House on election night and Trump’s initial reaction to the unfolding events at the Capitol.
These revelations come as U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan considers the question of presidential immunity for Trump in this case, following a Supreme Court ruling in July. Trump’s legal team had opposed the release of these documents, arguing it could prejudice potential jurors and influence the upcoming election. However, Judge Chutkan ruled that transparency in this matter was also crucial to prevent potential election interference.
Budget documents included in the newly released evidence indicate that an organization, which remains unnamed in the records, allocated as much as $3 million for the January 6th rally and associated activities. This substantial budget covered various expenses, including bringing VIP guests and protesters to Washington D.C., and funding advertising campaigns designed to amplify the message of a “show of force.”
Donald Trump speaking at a rally
These “Confidential – Not To Be Disclosed” documents, some with redactions, appear to have been initially prepared for the House Jan. 6 Select Committee. The documents reveal that a significant portion, $1 million, was earmarked for Turning Point Action (TPA), a non-profit organization founded by Charlie Kirk. TPA’s allocated funds were intended to deploy social media influencers and students from across the nation to Washington to participate in the rally. Furthermore, the budget included provisions for TPA to produce video content from the event and to launch nationwide advertisements highlighting “the significance of January 6th for President Trump.”
Another notable allocation of $500,000 was designated for “Save the U.S. Senate,” a group established by Donald Trump Jr. This funding was specifically aimed at combating alleged voter fraud in Georgia and supporting the re-election campaigns of Republican Senate candidates Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue. The documents specify that this investment would “help support attendance” at a rally in Georgia on January 4th featuring Trump, and to finance additional ad campaigns featuring Trump Jr. These ads were intended to encourage Senators Loeffler and Perdue to “vote to stop the steal in Georgia on January 6.”
The budget records further detail a $400,000 allocation for Tea Party Express. These funds were to be used to create a central online platform to promote rally events scheduled for January 5th and 6th. This included targeted advertising efforts and a television, radio, and digital campaign designed to increase attendance at the January 6th rally.
An additional $200,000 was budgeted for an individual and their company, whose names were redacted, for “organization efforts.” A separate, unnamed group was allocated $100,000 to cover estimated costs for hotels, private flights, car services, and private security for approximately 10 to 15 of its members. The Republican Attorneys Generals Association (RAGA) Rule of Law Defense Fund was also budgeted to receive $200,000 to support their legal endeavors to challenge election results nationwide and initiate lawsuits. Finally, $300,000 was set aside for speaker fees and travel expenses for VIP speakers, as well as a busing program to transport rally attendees from within a 180-mile radius of Washington D.C.
Depositions from the House committee investigating the Capitol attack, also included in the unsealed documents, offer insights into the atmosphere at the White House on election night 2020. Witness testimonies reveal the uncertainty and differing opinions among Trump’s inner circle regarding the election results. One guest present in the residential area of the White House on election night described a group of 15 to 20 people gathering in the Green Room to await the results with Trump. According to the witness, while some individuals were declaring the election stolen, others urged caution, suggesting to “just go out and say there’s still time, we need to do this count, we’ll see you in the morning.”
Furthermore, a White House staffer recounted an incident on January 6th, stating that they informed Trump at 1:21 p.m., upon his return from delivering a speech on the Ellipse, that television networks had cut away from his speech to cover the unfolding riot at the Capitol. The staffer described Trump’s disbelief, stating, “I get the TV, like, ready for him and hand him over the remote, and he starts watching it. And I stepped out to get him a Diet Coke, come back in, and that’s pretty much it for me as he’s watching it and, like, seeing it for himself.”
The release of these documents is part of Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith’s case against Trump, who faces charges of conspiring to defraud the United States, attempting to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiring to disenfranchise voters. Trump has pleaded not guilty to these charges. The evidence, including witness testimonies and budget documents, was initially submitted as sealed evidence while Judge Chutkan considered its public release. The ongoing legal battle over this evidence represents a significant pre-election development, potentially offering further insights into the events of January 6th before the upcoming November elections.
Donald Trump speaking at a rally
The prosecution’s strategy appears to involve utilizing Trump’s own words against him. The unsealed documents include numerous social media posts from Trump questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 election, despite the repeated failure of Trump and his allies to substantiate claims of widespread voter fraud in court. These posts may serve to illustrate the alleged strategy to overturn the election results. For instance, a November 6, 2020 tweet from Trump called for discarding votes and suggested the Supreme Court should determine the election outcome. Leading up to January 6th, Trump’s social media activity intensified, with posts indicating his desire for Vice President Mike Pence to reject electoral results and for state legislatures to intervene.
Special Counsel Smith may also seek to use Trump’s pledge to pardon individuals convicted of Jan. 6-related crimes as evidence of his involvement in a broader criminal plot. Trump’s statement on Truth Social on March 11 of this year, promising to “Free the January 6 Hostages,” is included in the released documents and could be interpreted as further indication of his support for the actions of the rioters.
These newly unsealed documents provide a detailed look into the financial machinery behind the January 6th rally and offer a clearer picture of the Trump campaign’s financial links to the events that culminated in the Capitol riot. This evidence is poised to play a crucial role in the ongoing legal proceedings against the former president, potentially shaping public understanding of the events of January 6th and their aftermath.
