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 Donors to an independent political spending group formed to
promote Trump's candidacy said in interviews on Sunday they were
worried by reports describing the millions of dollars Trump's
opponents are spending to attack him.
They said they admired the billionaire businessman's professed
financial independence but thought a cash boost would help keep his
fight for the Republican U.S. nomination fair. So 767 people sent in
small sums - $25 here, $100 there - hoping it would help prepare him
to face his many, moneyed foes.
"He needs all the help he can get," said Diane Abair, 83, a real
estate agent in Redding, California, who sent $50 to the group,
Great America PAC.
She said she didn't think her donation tarnished Trump's claim that
he won't have to pander as president to any special interest groups
because he's not backed by big donors.
 "I'm not somebody that he can be beholden to," she said.
Trump is facing an onslaught of attacks from other Republicans
alarmed by his success, even after controversial statements like his
call to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the United States.
Big donors who demurred for months have begun to spend heavily to
defeat him.
This poses a new challenge for the candidate, who has so far spent
less than his opponents. Between June and February, he loaned his
campaign $24 million and raised nearly $10 million more from small
donors.
Hope Hicks, Trump's spokeswoman, did not respond to a request for
comment.
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Great America raised just under $74,000 during the first two months
of 2016, according to regulatory filings. Its co-chair, Eric Beach,
said it had taken in enough since then to commit to spending $1
million on pro-Trump ads. Beach, a California businessman and
political strategist, gave $25,000.
"When it comes time for the general election I hope the PAC has got
some money left because he's going to need it," said Scott Abadie,
54, a veterinarian in New Orleans who donated $100 to Great America
PAC.
The group gives $5 of each donation it receives directly to Trump's
campaign. According to co-founder Amy Kremer, this allows each donor
to be named individually on financial reports.
"They too can be recognized for even a small donation," she said.
(Reporting By Emily Flitter; Additional reporting by Grant Smith in
NEW YORK; Editing by Caren Bohan and Paul Tait)
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