Donald Trump's Save America PAC paid Melania's stylist $132,000 in 2022 for 'strategy consulting'
- Melania Trump's stylist received $132,000 for "strategy consulting" in 2022, FEC filings show.
- Herve Pierre Braillard designed Melania Trump's dress for her husband's inaugural ball.
Former first lady Melania Trump's stylist received $132,000 for "strategy consulting" in 2022, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
Fox News reported that the Save America political action committee, one of several PACs affiliated with former President Donald Trump, made eight payments to Herve Pierre Braillard in 2022.
Seven of those payments were for $18,000 each, paid roughly every month from June onwards, with a payment of $6,000 made in April last year.
Reports of Save America PAC paying Braillard first emerged in August 2022, showing at that time that the fund had paid the stylist $60,000 for "strategy consulting."
The Federal Elections Commission does not allow PACs to spend money on personal items, but leadership PACs such as Save America PAC have fewer spending restrictions.
Braillard addressed the significant payments in an interview with Women's Wear Daily last year, telling the outlet that the scope of his work goes beyond fashion advice.
Braillard, a French-American designer, collaborated with Melania Trump to design the custom dress that she wore to her husband's inaugural ball. He later became her stylist, helping her to prepare and preserve looks for state visits and official occasions, per Women's Wear Daily.
Previously a creative director for Carolina Herrera, the luxury fashion house, Braillard also dressed former first ladies Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama.
Back in August, Melania Trump's office said in a statement: "Mr. Pierre is a world-renowned artist. His work extends to many different fields, not just fashion design. His expertise is utilized for special projects and events."
Neither Braillard nor Melania Trump responded to Insider's request for comment.
Trump's Save America PAC was established in November 2020, just days after President Joe Biden's election victory, and has fundraised on the back of promoting voter fraud claims and supporting Trump's chosen candidates.