Trump Campaign Raises $210 Million but Still Falls Short of Biden

(CN) — President Trump and the Republican National Committee raised a whopping $210 million for the president’s reelection in August, his campaign announced Wednesday, but even that did not come close to matching his competitor’s haul.

The Democratic National Committee and Joe Biden gained $364 million in August – the largest amount raised by any political campaign in a single month.

Not one to be bested, Trump’s campaign pointed out that the president still beat Biden’s total in the four days after their respective conventions, a time period that generally sees a boost in donations.

The days after RNC convention saw $76 million coming in, while the DNC’s led to a $70 million gain.

"Enthusiasm for President Trump and our party only strengthened in August as Americans know the economy, law and order, and American greatness are on the ballot this November,” said RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. 

In a jab at the former vice president, the Trump campaign claimed Democrats “relied heavily on Hollywood celebrities and gimmicks to raise their numbers.”

But according to Biden’s campaign, over half of his funds in August came from small-dollar online donations. The Democratic nominee said he plans to ramp up his media spending, while Trump says he is taking a more hands-on approach.

"Both campaigns are raising massive amounts of money, but have very different priorities about how to spend it,” said Trump’s campaign manager Bill Stepien. “In addition to advertising, President Trump’s campaign has invested heavily in a muscular field operation and ground game that will turn out our voters, while the Biden campaign is waging almost exclusively an air war.”

Trump has taken aim at Biden recently for staying at his home in Delaware as a precaution due to the Covid-19 outbreak, holding everything from interviews to fundraisers there.

The Biden campaign said he and running mate Kamala Harris would begin traveling around the country for campaign events after Labor Day, with Biden making good on that promise by appearing in Michigan on Wednesday.

In stark contrast, President Trump has been holding large events, flouting recommendations to combat the deadly virus still plaguing the U.S.

He, Vice President Mike Pence and several Trump family members have a full schedule. The president himself will follow Biden to Michigan on Thursday before heading to Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, over the weekend.

“No amount of money or saturating the airwaves from the Biden campaign will be able to make up for the fact that they are dormant at the doors and have no field operation to rely on,” Trump’s campaign announcement said.

As of Wednesday, however, Biden led in national polls by an average of 7.6 points and in Michigan.

While Trump is hanging on by less than a point in other important states like Ohio and Texas according to FiveThirtyEight. An NBC News/Marist poll also showed the two men virtually tied for support in Florida on Tuesday.

However, a CNBS/Change Research poll released Wednesday showed Biden leading in Florida, as well as five other swing states – Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Just 55 days remain until the general election.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit