Daily Mail reported that former President Donald Trump is facing a potential ban from El Paso, Texas, after failing to pay nearly $600,000 owed to the city for police and emergency services provided during a 2019 campaign rally.
The city of El Paso is considering legal action after multiple attempts to collect a $569,204.63 debt from Trump’s campaign have gone unanswered.
El Paso officials have expressed frustration over the unpaid debt, which has now accumulated a late fee of $98,787.58. The unpaid amount, covering expenses for police, ambulance, and firefighter services, has become one of the largest outstanding debts owed to the city, placing the burden on local taxpayers.
The debt stems from a rally Trump held on February 11, 2019, in El Paso. Despite numerous reminders and a warning that Trump could be banned from the city if the debt remains unpaid, the campaign has yet to settle the amount. This issue is not unique to El Paso; other cities have also reported unpaid debts from Trump’s rallies.
El Paso Mayor Dee Margo has publicly stated his hope that Trump’s campaign will eventually pay what is owed. “I’m hopeful they’ll do what’s right,” Margo said, adding that failure to pay reflects poorly on the campaign’s character and integrity.
City Attorney Karla Nieman highlighted the unprecedented nature of the situation, noting that it is highly unusual for a city to have to pursue payment from a sitting president. "We’re on unprecedented territory by having to collect an outstanding invoice from a sitting president,” Nieman stated.
El Paso is not alone in this struggle. Across the United States, nine cities have reported unpaid debts totaling $1,933,383 for police services provided during Trump rallies. In addition to El Paso’s outstanding bill, Dorchester County, South Carolina, is owed $26,071.22 for a September 25 rally, while Coastal Carolina University is seeking $37,410 for services provided during a February 10 rally.
Other cities with unpaid debts include Billings, Montana, which is owed $45,900 for a 2018 rally, and Green Bay, Wisconsin, where $9,380 remains unpaid from a 2016 rally, with an additional $33,000 owed from a March rally. Albuquerque, New Mexico, is also owed $211,175, and Minneapolis faced a dispute over a $530,000 bill, which was ultimately passed on to the venue hosting the rally.
Despite these significant amounts, Trump’s campaign has often claimed that the U.S. Secret Service should be responsible for the costs associated with local law enforcement at these events. A statement from the campaign emphasized that the campaign does not directly contract with local governments for police involvement, suggesting that all billing inquiries should be directed to the Secret Service.
Trump’s approach to debt has long been a subject of public discussion. In a 2016 interview, Trump referred to himself as “the king of debt,” asserting his expertise in handling financial obligations. He also expressed a willingness to renegotiate debts if circumstances change, stating, "I’ve made a fortune by using debt, and if things don’t work out, I renegotiate the debt."
The impact of these unpaid debts is not just financial. Former Wisconsin state Rep. Amanda Stuck pointed out that the money owed by Trump’s campaign could make a significant difference for local communities. "That kind of money could be the difference between hiring another police officer or not," Stuck said, emphasizing the broader implications of the unpaid bills.
As cities continue to struggle with collecting these debts, some have taken proactive steps to avoid similar issues in the future. Nashville, Tennessee, for instance, now requires pre-payment and contract signing before hosting any future Trump rallies. This move is seen as a precautionary measure to ensure that the city is not left with unpaid bills after the event.
In conclusion, Trump’s campaign faces growing pressure from El Paso and other cities to settle outstanding debts for police and emergency services. With legal actions being considered and the possibility of a ban from El Paso, the issue of unpaid rally expenses remains a contentious one, reflecting broader concerns about financial responsibility and the costs of political events on local communities.
