- The Trump campaign paid more than $145,000 to reserve the Tucson Convention Center for the rally.
- Local media reported that Trump failed to pay for an event held at the same venue in 2016.
- The Arizona rally took place after the first debate between President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
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The Trump campaign had to pay a deposit of more than $145,000 to secure a spot at the Tucson Convention Center for Thursday’s rally.
In a statement to Business Insider, the Tucson mayor’s office confirmed that the Trump campaign paid an estimated $145,222.70 down on the venue, Linda Ronstadt Music Hall.
“Following City of Tucson policy implemented following campaign visits by then-candidates Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders in 2016, we require TCC patrons to pay for all costs associated with our public safety response to prevent taxpayers from having to cover these expenses,” the statement said.
“Users must deposit the city’s estimated public safety response fee and TCC usage fee prior to the event,” he added.
According to Local MediaThe city of Tucson sought the bond after the former president failed to pay $81,837 in bills following a campaign event held at the convention center in 2016.
“You know, the former president has a right to come anywhere in the state of Arizona,” Tucson Mayor Regina Romero told KOLD News 13. “It’s up to the Trump campaign to pay for it.”
Business Insider has reached out to the Trump campaign and the Tucson Convention Center for comment.
This is not the first time the Trump campaign has been accused of leaving campaign expenses unpaid.
The Washington Post reported in 2019 that the Trump campaign had at least $1 million in unpaid bills from cities across the U.S. at the time, including $569,000 for a rally in El Paso, Texas.
The rally in Tucson this week marked Trump’s return to the campaign trail after facing off against Vice President Kamala Harris in the first presidential debate.
Harris is Spread Her lead after the debate Public Opinion PollTrump claimed victory in the debate, telling his supporters it was a “monumental win.”
The former president said he would not agree to a new debate with Harris.