Harris outspends Trump significantly, yet continues to expand her financial lead
The vice president managed to raise more funds than she expended in August, while Trump's campaign incurred expenses at a quicker rate than it generated revenue.
TroibNews 
In August, Kamala Harris’ campaign significantly outspent and outraised Donald Trump's campaign, yet still managed to increase her financial lead. While Trump's campaign expenses more than doubled from the previous month, Harris' team sustained a hefty financial and infrastructural advantage as the election nears, possessing a greater amount of campaign funds and resources available for use.
Starting the month with more funds than Trump, Harris raised over $190 million and concluded the month with $235 million, maintaining a $100 million lead over Trump, who raised just under $45 million and ended with $135 million.
Despite large total expenditures of $174 million by Harris and $61 million by Trump in August, Harris' campaign strategy and superior fundraising efforts left her with a substantial monetary advantage. This discrepancy in campaign spending and fundraising between the two was evident in various expenses and resource allocation.
Significantly, direct campaign money plays a crucial role beyond outside support, which Trump had been appreciating from the Republican Party and super PACs engaged in ad buys and canvassing. Campaign money benefits from being under direct control of the candidates and secures better rates for TV advertisements—now the largest cost for campaigns.
The Harris campaign's largest expenditure was media production and advertisement, soaking up $137 million of its budget. The campaign also invested heavily in air travel, payroll, and text message outreach, with respective expenses of $6.7 million, $6.4 million, and $4.5 million.
Conversely, Trump's campaign invested most heavily in paid media, amounting to $47 million, and spent additional amounts on direct mail and other miscellaneous expenses.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC), together with Harris' campaign, employed over 1,200 staff members, starkly contrasting with around 320 staff for Trump's campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC).
The RNC, though outspent by the DNC, ended the month with $79 million, outstripping the DNC's $50 million. However, these figures exclude funds in joint fundraising committees expected to bolster their resources later.
Major spending by the DNC was directed towards canvassing, totaling $10 million, whereas the RNC's primary expenses were in postage and mail production, costing about $4.6 million.
Trump continued to benefit significantly from external groups for various campaign-related activities. In August, he received more outside support ($163 million) compared to Harris ($104 million), as reported by FEC independent expenditure filings.
Highlighting considerable support, a key pro-Trump super PAC, Make America Great Again Inc., raised $25 million in August, with significant donations from notable supporters.
In contrast, two pro-Harris super PACs, FF PAC and American Bridge, reported raising $36 million and $21 million respectively, with substantial contributions from influential Democratic donors, although the specific identities behind some of the donations remain undisclosed until later reporting periods.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
Starting the month with more funds than Trump, Harris raised over $190 million and concluded the month with $235 million, maintaining a $100 million lead over Trump, who raised just under $45 million and ended with $135 million.
Despite large total expenditures of $174 million by Harris and $61 million by Trump in August, Harris' campaign strategy and superior fundraising efforts left her with a substantial monetary advantage. This discrepancy in campaign spending and fundraising between the two was evident in various expenses and resource allocation.
Significantly, direct campaign money plays a crucial role beyond outside support, which Trump had been appreciating from the Republican Party and super PACs engaged in ad buys and canvassing. Campaign money benefits from being under direct control of the candidates and secures better rates for TV advertisements—now the largest cost for campaigns.
The Harris campaign's largest expenditure was media production and advertisement, soaking up $137 million of its budget. The campaign also invested heavily in air travel, payroll, and text message outreach, with respective expenses of $6.7 million, $6.4 million, and $4.5 million.
Conversely, Trump's campaign invested most heavily in paid media, amounting to $47 million, and spent additional amounts on direct mail and other miscellaneous expenses.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC), together with Harris' campaign, employed over 1,200 staff members, starkly contrasting with around 320 staff for Trump's campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC).
The RNC, though outspent by the DNC, ended the month with $79 million, outstripping the DNC's $50 million. However, these figures exclude funds in joint fundraising committees expected to bolster their resources later.
Major spending by the DNC was directed towards canvassing, totaling $10 million, whereas the RNC's primary expenses were in postage and mail production, costing about $4.6 million.
Trump continued to benefit significantly from external groups for various campaign-related activities. In August, he received more outside support ($163 million) compared to Harris ($104 million), as reported by FEC independent expenditure filings.
Highlighting considerable support, a key pro-Trump super PAC, Make America Great Again Inc., raised $25 million in August, with significant donations from notable supporters.
In contrast, two pro-Harris super PACs, FF PAC and American Bridge, reported raising $36 million and $21 million respectively, with substantial contributions from influential Democratic donors, although the specific identities behind some of the donations remain undisclosed until later reporting periods.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
