In the latest development of the ongoing election cycle, Former President Donald J. Trump and the Republican Party have out-raised President Biden and the Democrats for the first time last month. According to campaign officials, Mr. Trump’s campaign, along with the Republican Party and their affiliated committees, raised $76.2 million in April, surpassing the $51 million raised by the Biden campaign with the Democratic National Committee. This marked a significant slowdown in fundraising for President Biden compared to previous months.
The filings with the Federal Election Commission revealed that Mr. Biden’s campaign raised $24.2 million in April, down from $43.8 million in March. Despite the lower fundraising numbers, Mr. Biden’s campaign still maintained a substantial cash on hand, with $84.5 million at the end of April, while Mr. Trump’s campaign had $48 million in net cash on hand.
Despite the fundraising lead in April, Mr. Trump’s campaign still lags behind in total cash on hand. Mr. Biden’s campaign ended April with $84.5 million on hand, while Mr. Trump’s campaign had $48 million. Mr. Trump’s advisors had anticipated narrowing the fundraising gap once he secured the Republican nomination, allowing him to raise money in conjunction with the Republican National Committee.
The fundraising figures reflect a busy month for both campaigns. Mr. Trump’s campaign reported raising over $50 million at a private dinner in Palm Beach, Florida, while Mr. Biden’s campaign experienced a slower month compared to the previous fundraising events in March.
While Mr. Trump continues to lead in many polls, Democrats maintain a significant cash advantage. Mr. Biden, as the incumbent, was able to establish a joint fundraising agreement with the party months before Mr. Trump, giving them a head start in fundraising efforts.
The filings also revealed that Mr. Trump’s campaign continues to spend millions on legal bills, with Save America committee allocating $3.3 million in April for this purpose. Despite the fundraising success, details on how Mr. Trump’s money flowed between various allied committees remain unclear.
In contrast, Mr. Biden’s campaign manager highlighted the grassroots enthusiasm behind their fundraising numbers, emphasizing the campaign’s aggressive strategy. The fundraising efforts of both campaigns reflect the intense competition leading up to the election.
The Republican National Committee reported raising $32 million in April, with nearly $39 million on hand. On the Democratic side, the DNC raised $35.5 million in April, ending the month with $62 million on hand.
Overall, the fundraising landscape continues to evolve as the election cycle progresses, with both parties ramping up their efforts to secure financial support for their respective campaigns.
