Former president Donald Trump speaks during the New Hampshire Republican State Committee fundraiser in January 2023. At the end of January, President Biden’s campaign had $56 million in cash, compared to $30.5 million for Trump. The Democratic National Committee, which is functioning as a part of Biden’s campaign, had $24 million in the bank — almost triple the $8.7 million held by the Republican National Committee.
Just this week, he pulled in more than $10 million in private events in Nashville and in Greenville, S.C., following an event at his Mar-a-Lago Club last week that drew nearly 1,000 people. On recent visits to Las Vegas, he has dined with the late businessman Sheldon Adelson’s widow, Miriam, in recent months, hoping she will repeat her family’s history of spending heavily for the Republican nominee.
“I’m very confident that the finance operation is first class. I don’t think there is going to be any issue with raising money,” said Ballard. “It is, and is going to be, a very professional and experienced team that will raise all the money needed to run a successful presidential campaign.” Rep. William Timmons , a Trump supporter who attended, said the former president had a “much more disciplined and tighter message” than in the past and that he came away impressed. Instead of talking about conspiracy theories that the election was stolen, Trump said he should have challenged more of the coronavirus-related law changes before the election.“I didn’t realize that was my job,” Trump said, according to Timmons.
Trump also attended a more exclusive dinner earlier this month in Palm Beach at the home of hedge fund manager John Paulson, where he answered questions from donors who are considered whales in GOP politics, according to people familiar with the event. MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, was involved in the event.
MAGA Inc. has been warning since December of an expected spring advertising blitz in swing states by allies of Biden. The group began telling donors that they expect Democrats to spend $255 million this year through June 30 in the seven major battleground states — Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.