Trump-Aligned Groups Reserve Over $130 Million in Midterm Ad Buys

Groups aligned with President Donald Trump have reserved more than $130 million in advertising for the midterm races, according to AdImpact, which tracks ad buys and media spending, as the campaign enters its final stretch.

The bulk of that money comes from No Going Back, which has booked over $98.5 million in advertising. The group is connected to MAGA Inc., Trump's main political committee, which held more than $400 million in its accounts at the end of July. MAGA Inc. has separately reserved $11 million this cycle under its own name.

A second new group, Safety and Affordability PAC, has committed $27 million. It is affiliated with MAGA Inc., according to a person with direct knowledge of the organization who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private plans. A MAGA Inc. spokesperson declined to comment.

Federal Election Commission records show Safety and Affordability PAC was formed on Sept. 1, the same date as No Going Back PAC. Both list the same treasurer as MAGA Inc. in their filings.

The two groups appear to be dividing their efforts by chamber. Safety and Affordability PAC is focused on House races, while No Going Back has invested most heavily in competitive Senate contests.

In Michigan, No Going Back has become the second-biggest Republican spender in a high-profile Senate race, behind the Senate Leadership Fund. Former Rep. Mike Rogers is facing Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed for the seat being vacated by Sen. Gary Peters, with Republicans aiming to flip it.

In New York's 17th congressional district, the two groups together are now the largest spenders as the party works to defend U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, widely seen as one of the nation's most vulnerable Republicans. He is up against Democratic nominee Cait Conley.

The late influx follows appeals from Republicans in vulnerable districts who had urged the president and his team to provide financial support as the party fights to hold the House and Senate. Trump's approval ratings remain underwater as voters contend with higher prices, particularly for fuel, during the unpopular war with Iran.

The timing carries a cost. Super PACs such as MAGA Inc. and its offshoots pay higher television advertising rates than candidate campaigns do. The gap widens in the final 60 days of a campaign, when candidate committees qualify by law for a broadcaster's lowest rates while super PACs are charged market rates that rise as air time grows scarce. As a result, the money buys less airtime than it would have if the purchases had been made before Sept. 4.