Donald Trump still owes several cities money from past campaign rallies, including El Paso.
Information compiled in 2019 from the Centers for Public Integrity shows that at least 12 cities were owed money, showing El Paso was owed the most.
Laura Cruz-Acosta, communications director for the City of El Paso confirmed Trump has an outstanding balance of $569,204.63 which includes a one-time late fee of $98,787.58 for his February 2019 visit.
It was primarily for law enforcement purposes and safety and security the health and wellness of the community as much as the health and wellness of those who were visiting us,” Cruz-Acosta said.
Cruz-Acosta said the city has continued to try and contact the Trump campaign for payment and has sought the help of lawyers.
“The city council actually took action in order to hire the Law Offices of Snapper Carr. The purpose of that was to advocate on behalf of the city to be able to obtain the funding that is owed to the city,” she said.
KFOX14 asked if the lack of payment has affected city finances or if they’ve had to make up that money.
“The impact to the community is at this point really not something that is going to impact our day-to-day operations, but it is something that we continue to seek out,” Cruz-Acosta said.
KFOX14 also tried contacting the Trump campaign via its website and only received an automatic response.
We also reached out to the other 11 cities on the CPI named as still being owed money, these cities are:
- Tucson, Arizona
- Mesa, Arizona
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Spokane, Washington
- Eau Claire, Wisconsin
- Billings, Montana
- Erie, Pennsylvania
- Lebanon, Ohio
- Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Burlington, Vermont
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
Two responded. The police chief in Billings told KFOX14 Trump owes the city $45,900 for his 2018 visit.
City officials in Green Bay sent an invoice showing he owes $9,380 for his 2016 rally but was in the city just this year in March and the city is still waiting for the more than $33,000 payment for that visit.
KFOX14 asked Cruz-Acosta if any other political visitors have current outstanding balances in El Paso and she said no.
As far as what would happen if Trump planned a visit to El Paso for his current 2024 presidential campaign, Cruz-Acosta said the city doesn’t think he will make a stop here.
“Likely I can’t foresee the visitor coming,” she said.
For further legal efforts to get the money collected, Cruz-Acosta said city council would have to make that decision and direct the city attorney.
