The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC) have reported a record-breaking fundraising haul for May, bringing in $141 million, their highest for any month so far, via AP News. This surge in donations, particularly notable following a New York jury’s multiple felony convictions against former President Donald Trump, underscores a significant mobilization of financial support.
A staggering third of May’s total was collected online within just 24 hours after the verdict, emphasizing the immediate reaction from Trump’s supporters. The campaign announced that it received more than 2 million donations throughout the month, with a notable quarter of the contributors making their first donation of 2024 during this period.
RNC Chairman Michael Whatley and co-Chair Lara Trump issued a joint statement condemning the legal challenges faced by Trump, labeling them as “a sham attempt to keep President Trump away from voters.” They assertively claimed that these efforts by the Democrats have “backfired in a historic way,” positioning the Republicans strongly for the upcoming elections with the intent to “FIRE Crooked Joe Biden and Make America Great Again by electing President Trump on November 5.”
In addition to the direct funds raised by the campaign and the RNC, associated organizations supporting Trump amassed an additional $150 million during May, though specifics about these groups were not immediately disclosed. This brings the combined support for Trump to nearly $300 million for the month, potentially narrowing the financial gap between him and President Joe Biden.
On the other side of the political spectrum, the Democratic National Committee and the Biden campaign have yet to release their fundraising figures for May. As of the last reports in April, Biden’s main campaign committee reported a substantial $192 million in cash on hand, significantly more than Trump’s $92 million across his three main supporting funds.
Despite the significant financial backing for Biden, the massive fundraising efforts for Trump could shift the dynamics as both candidates gear up for the upcoming presidential election. The full extent of campaign finances for both will be more transparent after the next FEC disclosure on July 15.
With both President Biden and President Trump expected to receive their parties’ nominations at their respective national conventions, the stage is set for a fiercely contested election. The Republican National Convention is scheduled in Milwaukee from July 15 to July 18, while the Democratic National Convention will take place from August 19 to August 22. As the Biden campaign’s communications director, Michael Tyler, pointed out, the only definitive way to determine the next occupant of the Oval Office will be at the ballot box, despite any courtroom dramas.