Cities across the country are being stiffed by Donald Trump when it comes to covering the costs associated with hosting his rallies. From venue expenses to security and police overtime, Trump’s campaign has left a trail of unpaid bills in its wake.
One notable example is the City of Prescott Valley in Arizona, which is still owed $25,737.32 from Trump’s local rally in 2022. Similarly, the city of El Paso, Texas, has yet to receive $569,204.63 from a 2019 rally, a significant portion of which is meant for the city’s police department. Despite efforts to pressure the campaign to pay up, these outstanding invoices remain unresolved.
In St. Cloud, Minnesota, the Trump campaign failed to pay $208,935.17 for overtime pay for first responders and road construction costs related to a rally held in the city in July. This pattern of non-payment has become so widespread that some venues are now requiring the Trump campaign to pre-pay before hosting any future events.
The financial burden placed on local communities by Trump’s refusal to cover rally expenses is a significant concern. Taxpayers are often left footing the bill, leading to budgetary challenges and chaos for cities and towns. Security costs and overtime pay are among the most substantial expenses incurred when hosting a Trump rally, and the failure to reimburse these costs has put a strain on local resources.
Despite the lack of media coverage on this issue, the impact of Trump’s unpaid bills is felt by communities nationwide. As the ex-president continues his campaign for president, cities and towns face mounting financial challenges due to his failure to fulfill his financial obligations.
The need for transparency and accountability in covering rally expenses is crucial to ensure that local communities are not left to bear the financial burden of hosting political events. It is imperative that all parties involved honor their financial commitments to prevent further strain on already stretched budgets.