In April 2021, former President Donald Trump’s fundraising efforts managed to surpass those of President Joe Biden. Trump’s PAC, Save America, reportedly received a whopping $13.8 million compared to the Democratic National Committee’s $12.8 million collection during the same time period. This marked a significant shift for Trump who, despite being out of office, remained a powerful fundraiser.
Save America’s prominent position has been steadily increasing since Trump’s departure from the White House. After the 2020 Election, the PAC started with a balance of $2.6 million, which soared to $31.1 million by the end of 2020, and finally reached an impressive $85.1 million by the end of April 2021. Notably, Trump’s political entities raised an impressive $82 million in total during the first half of 2021.
However, it should be noted that this is only part of the bigger picture. When looking at the broader fundraising arena that includes political committees, Biden’s team seems to have preserved their own financial advantage, despite Trump’s fundraising success.
Combining the total cash flow from their respective committees, Biden’s team held $104 million at the end of April — a nameable cash advantage over Trump’s overall $90 million. This was primarily influenced by the fact that Biden, unlike Trump, had access to party funds. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) held $42.5 million, while the Republican National Committee (RNC) reported $34.3 million by the end of April.
Moreover, Biden’s fundraising efforts have a wholesome approach that includes funding for the Democratic Party, funding for his campaign, and funding for the Biden Victory Fund, a joint fundraising pact between the DNC and Biden’s campaign. This multifaceted approach bolsters Biden’s cash advantage and showcases the diversity of his fundraising tactics.
It’s also noteworthy that much of Trump’s fundraising success was a result of unyielding demands for recount efforts after the 2020 election. Donors continued to support him generously, indicating that Trump continues to hold a strong influence over a significant portion of the Republican base. Additionally, it’s been suggested that a substantial portion of these funds could be potentially used for a future political campaign.
Ultimately, the fundraising landscape reflects the varying power dynamics in U.S politics. Trump’s impressive April numbers are indicative of his sustained appeal, regardless of his departure from the White House. However, Biden’s commendable cash reserves, largely due to a robust campaign and party fundraising initiatives, underscore his significant hold in the political sphere.
Finally, the apparent fundraising prowess of both past and present presidents hints at a deeply divided and competitive political landcape in the United States, with each side arming themselves well for future campaigns.