Karoline Leavitt’s 2022 campaign still owes over $326,000 — with no funds left to repay it
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jul 31, 2025, 21:31 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, faces scrutiny over her 2022 campaign debt. Her campaign owes over $326,000 to vendors. The campaign has no cash and hasn't raised funds to pay the debt. The FEC audit is underway, but enforcement is stalled due to a deadlock. Leavitt's political career has risen despite the campaign finance issues.
Karoline Leavitt, now serving as White House press secretary under President Donald Trump, continues to face scrutiny over the financial aftermath of her 2022 congressional campaign. Official filings show that her campaign, Karoline for Congress, still owes over $326,000 to more than 100 vendors and individuals — and hasn’t raised any new funds to pay off the debt.According to records filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the campaign reported raising zero dollars between April and June 2025. Much of the debt stems from contributions that exceeded federal legal limits or were otherwise improperly accepted. These funds have yet to be refunded.No cash, mounting problemsAs of June 30, the campaign has no cash on hand. Several high-profile individuals are still awaiting refunds, including former New Hampshire Governor Craig Benson and ex-state Senate Majority Leader Robert Clegg Jr.Numerous vendors also remain unpaid. These include:
- Axiom Strategies – $46,747
- Remington Research Group – $41,000
- Fundraising Inc. – $12,815
- Hillary Clinton repaid $22.5 million from her 2008 campaign over several years by selling merchandise and renting donor lists.
- Kamala Harris paid off over $1 million in debt from her 2020 campaign after joining the Biden-Harris ticket.
- Newt Gingrich still owes more than $4.6 million from his 2012 presidential run.
- Al Sharpton (2004) – still owes nearly $926,000 as of December 2024
- Rick Santorum (2012 & 2016) – has outstanding balances
- Mike Pence (2024) – has residual debt from his presidential campaign