Trump's secret power protection plan
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Anyone who thinks President Trump's mesmerizing hold over the GOP will slip if his poll numbers slide is missing one of his biggest innovations in American politics:
- The creation of a cash-flush political operation that has raked in around a half-billion dollars — about the same amount the GOP's House and Senate campaign arms spent during the entirety of the last midterm campaign.
Why it matters: It's unheard of for a president not running for reelection to raise that kind of money. But the cash is just one piece of a bigger power play that's arguably the most powerful, well-funded political apparatus ever.
- The day after Election Day, Trump — at a time most presidents-elect are scrambling to get their transitions rolling — started calling major donors to start building an enforcement machine for his agenda.
- "Right now, there's a huge price to pay by crossing Donald Trump," said Republican strategist Corry Bliss, who formerly led the Congressional Leadership Fund super PAC. "When you combine a 92% approval rating among Republican voters with unlimited money, that equals: 'Yes, sir.'"
Zoom in: Two Trump-aligned outside groups, MAGA Inc. and Securing American Greatness, are poised to play big in 2026, including by helping Republicans expand their congressional majorities. The groups also have another focus: Reward Republicans who support Trump — and punish those who don't.
- Elon Musk has his own super PAC, America PAC, which he can use to target Republicans who cross Trump.
The big picture: Trump lacked a well-funded political operation after the 2016 election, hampering his ability to put pressure on Republicans who waffled over backing his agenda and to support or oppose candidates of his choosing. Trump advisers say that won't be the case this time.
- Now, combine Trump's super PACs with Musk's resources, then toss in Musk's control of X plus Trump's control of Truth Social. Any GOP skeptics or critics could instantly face a dangerous primary challenge — and unending waves of critical messaging.
How it works: Chris LaCivita and pollster Tony Fabrizio, who held top roles in Trump's '24 campaign, are spearheading the effort.
- MAGA Inc. and Securing American Greatness are closely aligned with the White House political team, which is led by chief of staff Susie Wiles and deputy chief of staff James Blair. The groups were founded during the campaign by Taylor Budowich, now a White House deputy chief of staff.
- Trump team hasn't dipped into its war chest yet, but it's prepared to. It cut ads aimed at pressuring Republican senators to confirm Pete Hegseth, Trump's then-nominee for secretary of Defense. But once it became clear Hegseth had the support he needed, the ads were sidelined.
Behind the scenes: Trump made his first fundraising call the day after he won the election — and directed his team to ask donors to his 2024 campaign for another round of checks, according to a person with knowledge of the conversations.
- Two weekends ago, Trump hosted a dinner for major contributors at Mar-a-Lago. Minimum cost of entrance: $1 million. The dinner was attended by Republican mega-donor Miriam Adelson, who spent more than $100 million to bolster Trump last year.
- Trump had to woo donors during the 2024 campaign, but now many are flocking to him in hopes of winning access.
Musk's political operation functions independently of Trump's, but is expected to work aggressively to bolster the president's agenda.
- America PAC, a super PAC that Musk loaded with more than $250 million in 2024, last week ran a TV ad praising Trump for "saving the American dream."
The bottom line: Jason Thielman, a former National Republican Senatorial Committee executive director, said Trump's outside political operation "is a juggernaut that will be one of the most dominant forces in modern elections."
