A super PAC supporting Donald Trump is in trouble after undercover reporters captured the committee's co-chairman and other senior officials willing to accept foreign donations barred by campaign finance law.
The Telegraph captured the co-chairman of Great America PAC, Eric Beach, on camera saying he would funnel $2 million from a Chinese donor to the Trump campaign and that the Republican nominee would remember the donation if he were to win the presidency.
Senior figures involved with the Great America PAC, one of the leading "independent" groups organizing television advertisements and grassroots support for the Republican nominee, sought to channel $2 million from a Chinese donor into the campaign to elect the billionaire despite laws prohibiting donations from foreigners.
In return, undercover reporters purporting to represent the fictitious donor were assured that he would obtain "influence" if Mr. Trump made it to the White House.
American political campaigns and political action committees are prohibited from receiving donations from foreign sources. Super PACs are also barred from coordinating with the campaigns that they support.
Beach suggested the money from the Chinese donor go through a 501(c)(4) organization that would be allowed to receive foreign donations for social welfare activity.
Dan Backer, counsel for Great America PAC, said in a statement that nothing illegal occurred.
"The PAC has never ... solicited or accepted contributions from a foreign national or entity," Backer said.
The report has led to questions about other donations that organizations supporting Trump may have received.
Trump has said that super PACs have "total control of their candidates" on the campaign trail and lambasted such organizations for controlling the electoral process through big donations.