Trump digs into war chest to battle Biden, poll numbers

Lack of primary opposition helped president amass cash for big ad buys

Joe Biden raised more money than President Donald Trump in May, while the president spent more, digging into his deep coffers to define and attack his Democratic challenger.

Trump spent $24.5 million, more than tripling the $7.7million his campaign spent in April, according to the latest reports with the Federal Election Commission. The incumbent struggled against falling poll numbers caused in part by the coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout, as the U.S. economy fell into recession. Biden spent $11.7 million, down from $12.9 million the month before.

Overall, Biden and his allied committees raised $80.8million, topping Trump for the first time. Trump’s committees combined to raise $74 million. But despite spending big in May, Trump, who has been raising money for the 2020 election since winning in 2016, added $10million to his war chest, which now totals $265million.

Biden and the DNC reported $122 million cash on hand. That total doesn’t include the Biden Victory Fund, which raises money for the Biden campaign, the DNC and 26 state party committees, and can accept checks of up to $620,800. Biden Victory won’t report to the FEC until July 15.

Trump, the RNC and their affiliated committees have raised $817 million in the current election cycle, compared with $422.3 million for their Democratic counterparts. Flush with cash after facing no serious primary opposition, Trump has had the resources to build his November get-out-the-vote machine with plenty of cash left over. Biden battled more than a dozen Democratic competitors before securing his party’s nomination. The deeper pockets allowed Trump to launch big ad buys in battleground states in a bid to offset poll numbers.