Special Poll
Karoline Leavitt, currently serving as the White House Press Secretary under a president who initiated a cryptocurrency scheme shortly before taking office, is familiar with the more dubious aspects of political financing. A recent report from NOTUS has highlighted her involvement in concealing nearly $300,000 of campaign debt from her unsuccessful 2022 congressional campaign.
After her congressional run, Leavitt joined Trump’s 2024 campaign as the national press secretary. Shortly after her appointment to the Trump administration, her congressional campaign team amended 17 financial reports with the Federal Election Commission, revealing a near tripling of the previously reported debt.
The details in Leavitt’s amended filings indicate that the funds, which included illegal donations, had been spent. About two-thirds of this new debt resulted from required refunds to donors who contributed beyond the legal limits.
According to federal campaign finance regulations, excess campaign contributions should be re-designated or returned within 60 days of receipt. However, NOTUS’s examination of the new filings suggests that these refunds have still not been made. Leavitt’s campaign remains obligated to return hundreds of thousands of dollars to the donors.
In 2022, the End Citizens United group accused Leavitt’s campaign of illegally accepting donations over the legal limit just before the election. Their claims were seemingly confirmed by the recent financial filings.
Bawadden Sayed, a spokesperson for End Citizens United, commented to NOTUS, “She took excessive contributions, which is against the law, and is just now reporting them—two years later.” Sayed also noted that Leavitt’s ongoing efforts to fundraise to cover the debt could lead to a significant conflict of interest for the press secretary.
“Leavitt still needs to raise money to refund these contributions, potentially opening the door for wealthy donors and corporate special interests to curry favor with her,” Sayed stated, highlighting the potential ethical issues involved.