Trump rally in Bozeman raises cost concerns

🇺🇸 Mechanical problem! Trump’s airplane (1991 Boeing 757 N757AF) diverted to Billings, MT. https://t.co/mtRBRSU5gz

— Menno Swart (@MennoSwart) August 10, 2024

Donald Trump made a campaign stop in Bozeman Friday night, headlining a rally at Montana State University’s Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. The event has raised concerns due to past instances where expenses associated with his rallies were left unpaid. Around the country, reports claim his campaign rarely pays invoices to local governments for the increased police presence, security, and other costs associated with hosting the events. Some places in Montana are still expecting payment. In 2018, Trump visited Montana four times, holding rallies in Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, and Missoula.

With Trump in Montana tonight and Harris set to rally in Arizona, here's your Friday night lineup: Pete Buttigieg, Maggie Haberman, Chris Sununu and Amb. John Sullivan. See you at 9 p.m. ET.

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) August 9, 2024

Officials in Missoula County confirmed that $12,922.82 is still owed for a rally, which includes costs for officer salaries, dispatcher salaries, and miscellaneous expenses.

Trump plane heading to Montana rally was diverted but landed safely nearby, airport staff says (from @AP) https://t.co/DN9OB7LGfQ

— darlene superville (@dsupervilleap) August 9, 2024

An official with the city of Billings also confirmed they were never reimbursed for the additional police presence, which cost $45,900. However, it’s not the same story everywhere.

Rally expenses prompt Bozeman concerns

Cascade County Commissioner Jim Larson confirmed that the rally in Great Falls in July of 2018 was paid off. He shared an invoice showing the total cost of $9,372.95, which included expenses for renting the Four Seasons Arena and other miscellaneous items. The bill was paid in December 2018. The city of Bozeman and Gallatin County were contacted to find out if Trump’s rally in 2018 was ever reimbursed and if they have any projections for the cost of this Friday’s rally, but they did not respond before publishing the story. Questions remain about whether failing to pay rally support costs is a common practice and, if so, whether it is illegal. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) clarified that their regulations do not specifically mandate campaigns reimburse state or local municipalities for such costs. FEC public affairs specialist Myles Martin stated, “There is no specific provision in FEC regulations for congressional or presidential campaign committees that speaks to expenses incurred by a state or local municipality in connection with a federal officeholder’s or candidate’s campaign event(s). While federal campaigns are permitted to use campaign funds to reimburse for these security costs, Commission regulations do not specifically mandate that they do so.” For now, as Trump’s rallies continue, many local governments are left to foot the bill, raising concerns and prompting calls for clearer regulations and responsibility.