It doesn't have to come from a campaign account for it to be illegal. It just has to be "any gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value made by any person for the purpose of influencing any election for Federal office" that is over $2,000 and/or is not reported. Trump's reimbursement to Cohen breaks this in both regards.
This is incorrect. Just a little tiny bit of critical thought and you might see why. Everything “influences” an election. The entire MSM provides loads more “influence” (spending millions to do so). Are those “in-kind” contributions?
Again, reference the former FEC chairman Bradley Smith. To be a campaign contribution, it must be something that can ONLY arise from a campaign obligation. Stuff like renting an office space, printing flyers, etc. Politicians, when first running for office, often enter into non-disclosure agreements and settlements for all sorts of things. This is NOT illegal. You think it is because you are drinking the coolaid.
Not that I am a fan of Fox News... but in this case they have the most direct and concise clip of this issue. This is a former FEC chairman for goodness sakes. And if you don’t like this source, fine. Just search his name on YouTube and you will find other outlets with the same result.