Tim Scott super PAC pulls back $40 million ad reservation as voters stick with Trump

A super PAC supporting Sen. Tim Scott’s (R-SC) presidential bid is canceling a $40 million ad reservation it made for the fall as Republicans find it difficult to chip away at former President Donald Trump’s lead.

Trust in the Mission PAC took out a $40 million ad reservation for television and digital in July, touting the big purchase as evidence that Scott can and will go the distance.

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But in a new memo to donors, TIMPAC said all media expenditures for the fall were being canceled.

Not mincing words, co-chairman Rob Collins said, “We are doing what would be obvious in the business world but will mystify politicos — we aren’t going to waste our money when the electorate isn’t focused or ready for a Trump alternative.”

He added that the “Never-Trump field” will be “wasting money this fall” attempting to catch up to Trump’s ever-growing lead.

However, Scott’s campaign dismissed any concern that his bid is coming to an end. “From Day One, Tim’s campaign was built for the long haul — powered by the most primary cash on hand and the highest candidate favorability of anyone in the field,” said Scott spokesperson Nicole Morales. “On issues ranging from foreign policy to abortion, he has been the clearest and strongest voice, leading while others have followed.

“We’re ready, as ever, to take our message into the early states and beyond,” she said.

For the PAC, this move isn’t meant to signal a retreat. Rather, Collins said minds won’t be changed at this point in the primary. “This electorate is locked up and money spent on mass media isn’t going to change minds until we get a lot closer to voting,” he told donors.

Money will instead be rerouted to “fully fund” grassroots and door-knocking efforts.

“The field remains splintered, so we will be patient,” he said.

Collins further warned that they shouldn’t count Scott out, despite the move. He noted that Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) was recently seen as the only option to challenge Trump, but eyes are now shifting to former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who he dismissed as a “moderate.”

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“President Trump has played to his strengths, effectively defined Gov. DeSantis, and now he will define Gov. Haley,” he predicted.

In a good sign for Scott, his fundraising doesn’t appear to be slowing down. His team said Monday the campaign and political committees raised $5.92 million, ending the third quarter with $13.3 million cash on hand. Of that cash on hand, the campaign is able to use $11.6 million during the primary.