Fundraising: Trump and DeSantis both Strong, but DeSantis Crushes Trump
Trump:
Trump raised over $35 million in Q2, 2023. This is about double what he raised in Q1 ($18.8 million). This money is split between two entities (Trump's official campaign committee, and the Save America PAC). Funds are raised for both by a joint fundraising committee. The percentage split between the two entities is not yet disclosed. This structure allows Trump to legally spend some of the money on his legal bills. Fundraising and spending details will be released later this month. (
Source)
DeSantis:
"Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis brought in an impressive $20 million in fundraising during the first six weeks of his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, his political team told Fox News on Thursday.
"Never Back Down, the super PAC supporting the Florida governor's presidential run, in a separate announcement told Fox News that they've hauled in $130 million in fundraising since the committee launched in early March.
"A significant portion of Never Back Down's fundraising - roughly $82 million - was money transferred to the super PAC in June from a Florida based political committee affiliated with the governor. The funds were originally raised to support DeSantis' 2022 gubernatorial re-election." (
Source)
Average Per Week
DeSantis's campaign started mid-way through Q2, 2023. He has six weeks of reporting history in that time. Trump's campaign was active through all of Q2, 2023 (13 weeks). Excluding DeSantis's massive Never Back Down PAC, DeSantis raised $20 million in six weeks. Trump raised $35 million in 13 weeks. The per-week averages are:
DeSantis: $3.33 million per week
Trump: $1.54 million per week
In fundraising, DeSantis is crushing Trump. In the polls, Trump is crushing DeSantis.
Biden's Q2 fundraising numbers have not yet been announced. That will come on or before the July 15 reporting deadline.
Note that the fundraising game for Biden is significantly different than it is for Trump and DeSantis. With the general election over a year away, fundraising is less urgent for Biden. He has no credible primary opponent. Trump and DeSantis are in a pitched primary battle now.