As Donald Trump campaigns to return to the White House, voters face a critical issue: Trump’s unpaid bills. At a recent rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, Trump once again left without paying his debts. Erie officials are still calculating the costs, but Trump already owes over $40,000 from his 2018 and 2023 rallies.
Trump’s Unpaid Bills in Multiple Cities
Trump’s unpaid bills don’t end in Erie. Reports from NBC News and the Erie Times-News show that four other cities—El Paso, Texas; Spokane, Washington; Missoula County, Montana; and Mesa, Arizona—are collectively owed over $750,000. These debts, some going back eight years, burden local taxpayers who have been covering law enforcement and public safety expenses.
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Trump Shrugs Off Rally Expenses
At the Erie rally, Trump dismissed concerns about the unpaid overtime costs, stating, “I wouldn’t pay.” Local officials continue to wait for reimbursement, frustrated by his attitude.
Trump’s financial issues reach far beyond unpaid rally bills. He has filed for business bankruptcy multiple times, a move he defends as strategic. Trump is also contesting a $464 million civil fraud judgment in New York. Additionally, two juries found him guilty of sexual assault, and he owes nearly $100 million in damages. Trump is facing 34 felony charges in New York, with trials pending for over 50 additional criminal charges.
Responsibility for Trump’s Unpaid Bills
When questioned about the unpaid bills, Trump’s campaign blamed the Secret Service, which coordinates security for these events. However, the Secret Service clarified that it does not reimburse local governments, and Congress is reviewing this issue.
Ana Pereira, a spokesperson for Mesa City, explained that although the city had no formal agreement with Trump’s campaign, they prioritized public safety. She emphasized that taxpayers deserve compensation—a sentiment echoed by officials in other cities dealing with Trump’s unpaid bills.
Trump’s Debt vs. Other Campaigns
Other political campaigns owe money as well, including Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaigns, but their debts are much smaller than Trump’s.
As the 2024 election approaches, voters may question whether Trump’s pattern of unpaid bills suggests larger issues about his financial responsibility.
“I hated to give overtime,” Trump said during his Erie rally. “I’d get other people in. I wouldn’t pay.”