Trump's getting stingy on legal fees

Plus, Trump's legal team requests pushing federal trial until 2026 [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news Friday, Aug. 18, 2023 THE LATEST [Alternate text] [Trump's stinginess could be a gift to prosecutors]( By Hayes Brown One of the more counterintuitive facts about how wealth works is that rich people don’t pay for things themselves if they can help it. For example, former President Donald Trump, whose net worth [Forbes most recently estimated]( at $2.5 billion, is relying on other people to pay [his spiraling legal fees]( in the midst of four criminal cases and several long-running civil suits. Trump’s Save America PAC has [spent more than $20 million]( in the first six months of 2023 just on legal fees — and [$40 million in total going back to 2021](. This enormous expenditure has [benefited Trump directly](, as well as a select number of associates, including his co-defendants in the Mar-a-Lago documents case. Trump’s approach has [prompted questions from experts]( about whether the arrangement is meant to keep certain people from flipping on the former president. This is a preview of Hayes Brown's latest article. [Read the full column here](.     TOP STORIES [Alternate text] [JA'HAN JONES]( [Trump's most vitriolic attacks seem reserved for Black judges and prosecutors]( A new alleged threat against Chutkan is reflective of GOP's war against Black legal minds. [Read more.]( [A photo of George Santos]( [STEVE BENEN]( [It's been a while since a Santos scandal was in the news. That time has come to an end.]( The good news for George Santos is that he went two months without a brutal round of headlines. [Read more.]( [ANDREA GRIMES]( [Texas' 'pro-life' position was never about life – and this heartbreaking lawsuit proves it]( Ken Paxton's response to a Texas state prison guard's lawsuit is entirely on brand. [Read more.]( [ZEESHAN ALEEM]( [A NATO official's shocking Ukraine comment reveals a lot about the war with Russia](c Experts say that talk of a land concession to Russia wasn't just a gaffe. [Read more.]( TOP VIDEOS [Alternate text] [THE REIDOUT]( [Trump's legal team seeks to delay federal election interference trial until 2026]( [DEADLINE WHITE HOUSE]( [Michael Cohen: GA indictment reads like a 'really good book' that ends in 'guilty conviction']( [INSIDE WITH JEN PSAKI]( ['Red flag': Leaked DeSantis memo reveals head-scratching debate strategy]( ALL IN [Hayes: 'Deranged' MAGA judge says abortion pill robs doctors ‘joy’ of fetus pictures](     MORE FROM MSNBC [Alternate text]   [Graphic promoting ''Banned Book Club'' podcast]( Next Thursday, listen to the first two episodes of "Velshi Banned Book Club," a new MSNBC podcast hosted by Ali Velshi. Each week, the author of a banned book will join Ali—including Margaret Atwood, Nikole Hannah-Jones and more. They'll analyze the literature and discuss why their work is part of the book banning epidemic. [Listen to the trailer now]( and follow the series.   Sunday, watch the fifth and final episode of "Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss." The documentary series follows actor Rainn Wilson as he explores some of the happiest places on earth and unpacks the science of happiness along the way. This week, Rainn wraps up his journey in Los Angeles. "[Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss](" continues on Sunday at 10 p.m. ET on MSNBC and is streaming now on Peacock. MSNBC INSIGHTS [Alternate text] Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! [Join the MSNBC Insights Community.](   [Image] [Image] 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily) [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily)