Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is concerned that former President Donald Trump could use the Republican National Committee as his personal “piggy bank” to pay his mounting legal fees.
Mr. Trump’s legal woes continued Friday when New York Judge Arthur Engoron fined him $355 million after ruling he committed fraud to gain favorable terms for his real estate business. With that verdict, the former president’s legal fees stand at $500 million.
“My biggest issue is I don’t want the RNC to become his legal defense fund. I don’t want the RNC to become his piggy bank for his personal court cases. We’ve already seen him spend $50 million worth of campaign contributions toward his personal court cases,” Ms. Haley told CNN on Friday.
Recently, Mr. Trump endorsed Michael Whatley, head of North Carolina’s GOP, to lead the RNC. He also endorsed Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law, to serve as co-chairwoman and Chris LaCivita, his senior campaign adviser, as the RNC’s chief operating officer.
“Now we see him trying to get control of the RNC so he can continue not to have to pay his own legal fees,” Ms. Haley said.
According to a recent poll from Winthrop University, Mr. Trump holds a 36-point lead over Ms. Haley heading into the Feb. 24 primary in her home state of South Carolina, where she served as governor from 2011 to 2017.
The prohibitive favorite to win the GOP nomination has crushed Ms. Haley and others vying for the White House in early primary challenges.
Despite the wide margin, Ms. Haley again vowed this week to stay in the race, arguing she has the best chance to beat President Biden.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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