As former President Donald Trump campaigns to reclaim the White House, a pressing question may weigh on the minds of voters: Can America trust a leader who doesn’t pay his bills? During his third recent rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, Trump left without paying up—again. Erie city officials are still tabulating the costs from the September rally, but Trump already owes the city over $40,000 for past visits in 2018 and 2023.
Trump’s financial footprint extends well beyond Erie. According to NBC News and the Erie Times-News, four other cities—El Paso, Texas; Spokane, Washington; Missoula County, Montana; and Mesa, Arizona—are waiting on a combined total of more than $750,000 in unpaid costs for local law enforcement and public safety services tied to Trump rallies. These outstanding bills, some dating back eight years, underscore the strain on taxpayer-funded resources.
At his recent Erie rally, Trump brushed off concerns about paying for overtime, saying, “I wouldn’t pay.” The comment epitomizes the frustration felt by local officials who have yet to receive reimbursement.
When questioned about the rally bills, Trump’s campaign directed responsibility to the Secret Service, which often coordinates local security support. However, a Secret Service spokesperson clarified to NBC News that the agency lacks a mechanism to reimburse local governments, emphasizing that this gap is a “critical need” under review by Congress.
Mesa City spokesperson Ana Pereira noted that the city felt obligated to ensure public safety even without a prior agreement with Trump’s campaign. Pereira expressed that taxpayers deserve compensation, which other city officials echoed.
In addition to Trump, other candidates have unpaid bills. In Spokane, the Sanders and Clinton campaigns from 2016 also owe money, but their debts are significantly smaller by comparison.
With the election approaching, voters may weigh Trump’s history of unpaid debts and his approach to financial obligations.
“I hated to give overtime,” Trump declared during his Erie rally. “I’d get other people in. I wouldn’t pay.”
@StacyBrownMedia
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