President Joe Biden's campaign fundraising in April fell behind that of his rival, former President Donald Trump, marking the first time Trump has outpaced Biden since the 2024 campaign began. This shift comes as Trump has intensified his fundraising efforts, particularly through joint operations with the Republican National Committee (RNC) and high-dollar fundraisers.
In April, the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) reported raising more than $51 million, a decrease from the $90 million raised in March. Meanwhile, Trump and the Republican Party reported a fundraising total of less than $76 million for the same month.
Despite this setback, Democrats maintain an overall cash advantage over Trump, and the Biden campaign continues to possess a significantly larger war chest.
Trump's April fundraising received a significant boost from a record-setting event with donors at the Palm Beach, Florida, home of billionaire investor John Paulson, where $50.5 million was raised. This event came at a critical time for Trump, who has been facing financial challenges due to mounting legal fees and payouts resulting from various legal battles.
Trump's legal expenditures during April exceeded $3.3 million, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. His campaign emphasized fundraising success, highlighting the challenges of fundraising while simultaneously being engaged in legal proceedings.
In contrast to previous statements indicating difficulty matching Biden's fundraising, Trump's campaign cited his success despite spending significant time in courtrooms. Notably, Trump was outraised by Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election but still emerged victorious.
With the November election approaching, national polls show Biden and Trump tied, while Trump maintains an advantage in key battleground states. Additionally, Trump's handling of economic issues, particularly regarding inflation, resonates more favorably with voters compared to Biden.
