JUST POSTED: Deep look at how Trump's campaign accounts were turned into Trump litigation fund used to punish ex aides who criticized him, to keep his tax returns secret, even to defend POTUS from lawsuits filed by people allegedly beaten at Trump rallies nytimes.com/2020/09/05/us/…
THE TRUMP DOCKET: NYT analysis with Campaign Finance Institute @cfinst_org, has found that Trump along with the RNC, spent nearly $60 million in campaign contributions through July on legal and compliance expenses, far more than any modern president. Let's take a look.... 
Several categories of cases used big campaign $$$--money of course donated. First, an effort to silence ex aides who said something critical, like Jessica Denson, former Hispanic outreach coordinator. Trump campaign became money pot to fuel legal action against his former aides
Campaign along with Trump Org also initially paid to defend Michael Cohen--at least until Cohen hinted he might turn against Mr. Trump, then the money to pay Cohen lawyer cut off.
RNC and Trump campaign money also spent campaign $$ to cover legal bills for Trump aides who testified or addressed questions (usually in his defense) during the Russian probes, impeachment proceedings and other investigations.
Then there is the litigation filed against Trump and his campaign by individuals who claims they were beaten at Trump rallies or outside Trump Tower in NYC. Millions spent in campaign $$ trying to quash these claims, but several drag on eating up campaign cash.
THIS IS JUST THE START. Millions more in campaign dollars spent on legal and compliance bills. What else? A chunk on lawsuits against news organizations like CNN, WashPost, NYT and NBC affiliate claiming that published pieces (usually opinion pieces) were "false and defamatory"
Trump campaign dollars also used to try to block a California law that would have forced Trump to release his income tax return if he wanted to run for re-election. Law was separately overturned.
Impeachment also sucked up a chunk of campaign money, covered by the RNC, including payments to Jay Sekulow, Jane Raskin, and yes, even $196,439 to ALAN DERSHOWITZ CONSULTING LLC. (He said he was not accepting a fee. Contacted, he said he donated the money)
A increasing chunk of campaign dollars-of course-are now being spent on lawsuits filed in spots nationwide to try to curb the use of mail-in voting and other voter access cases. Dems spending big on this too. But this will drive legal spending that could benefit Trump way higher
So just who are some of the lawyers taking in biggest chunks of campaign cash? Very unusual line up. Yes includes major law firms like JONES DAY, which has collected $18 million from Trump/RNC. But how abt Hulk Hogan's former lawyer vs Gawker named Charles Harder? He is there too
One other aspect of MAJOR legal spending that has benefitted Trump. Enormous dollars involved. But it is impossible to count. DOJ lawyers are not only defending routine litigation. Via lawsuits or amicus briefs, DOJ involved in defending POTUS personal interests in several cases
READERS GUIDE TO THE TRUMP DOCKET: Here is an online only sidebar we just posted that walks through some of the cases being funded with Trump campaign dollars, including excerpts from court documents and links to filings. Enjoy. nytimes.com/2020/09/05/us/…
