In a recent development, it has been revealed that former President Donald Trump's new fundraising agreement with the Republican National Committee (RNC) diverts a portion of donations to a political action committee (PAC) that covers his legal expenses before any money is allocated to the party, according to The New York Times.

The Times highlighted an invitation to a forthcoming major dinner for the Trump 47 Committee, which requests donors to contribute up to a staggering $814,600 for attendance. The invitation unveils that the initial $6,600 of the donation will go directly to Trump's campaign, followed by $5,000 earmarked for the Save America PAC that paid more than $50 million towards legal bills last year. The subsequent $413,000 will be directed to the RNC, with the remainder distributed among various state parties.

This agreement comes at a time when the Save America PAC is reportedly spending an average of $5 million each month on legal payments for Trump, his co-defendants, and allies. Additionally, this development follows the recent shakeup within the RNC, carried out by Trump's allies, including his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, who removed several officials from their positions.

According to the report, Trump officials had previously vehemently denied allegations that the RNC would assist in covering Trump's legal costs. Conservative attorney George Conway highlighted that the funds are not flowing through the RNC at all but are being diverted away from it and directly channeled into the PAC responsible for legal fees, despite the presumption that the RNC plays a crucial role in fundraising.

Furthermore, it has been revealed that Trump has increased the percentage of every dollar raised by his campaign going to his PAC to 10%, up from 1% earlier in his campaign. This move further accentuates Trump's focus on directing funds towards covering legal expenses rather than solely supporting the RNC.

As the Trump 47 Committee dinner invitation sheds light on the diversion of donations, questions regarding the prioritization of Trump's legal bills over substantial contributions to the RNC and state parties have arisen. The arrangement highlights a unique approach to fundraising, with the former president's campaign evidently placing a significant emphasis on his ongoing legal battles.

The ramifications of this fundraising agreement and the reallocation of funds within the Republican Party remain to be seen. Nonetheless, it reflects the continued influence and financial significance of former President Donald Trump within the party's operations and highlights the ongoing legal challenges he faces.