Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has announced that it raised an impressive $45.5 million in the third quarter, surpassing his closest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who had announced raising only $15 million earlier in the day. This substantial fundraising haul comes at a time when Trump is facing ongoing legal battles. The campaign’s statement highlighted that out of the $15 million raised by DeSantis, only $5 million was available for the upcoming primary battles.[0]
The significance of this fundraising success is evident in Trump’s dominance in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Trump’s team claimed that his $45.5 million raised was three times more than what DeSantis had raised, indicating Trump’s strong support and financial backing. This puts pressure on DeSantis, who is attempting to position himself as a viable alternative to Trump. DeSantis is hoping for a surprise victory in Iowa’s caucuses, the first voting state in the Republican nominating contest, to demonstrate that Trump can be defeated.
However, DeSantis faces tough competition, particularly from former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.[1] Haley is gaining momentum and has no incentive to drop out of the race, making it challenging for DeSantis to consolidate anti-Trump support. Additionally, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina is also expected to have sufficient funds to remain in the race and further divide the anti-Trump vote.[1]
To boost his chances, DeSantis has made Iowa his primary focus.[2] A significant portion of his campaign staff will be relocating from Tallahassee, Florida, to Iowa, indicating his commitment to winning the state’s caucuses.[3] The hope is that a strong showing in Iowa will demonstrate to Republican voters that Trump is beatable and encourage them to rally behind DeSantis as the candidate capable of stopping him.
The Trump campaign has seized the opportunity to mock DeSantis’s smaller fundraising haul.[2] They suggested that the $15 million raised by DeSantis, with only $5 million available for the primary, could be an indicator that his candidacy may not last until the Iowa caucuses.[4] Trump’s campaign statement aimed to undermine DeSantis’s credibility and position him as an unlikely contender against Trump.
Despite the competition, Trump’s financial advantage is evident. His campaign reported having $37.5 million in cash on hand, with $36 million designated for the primary contest.[5] This significant amount of funding positions Trump as the frontrunner, surpassing the amounts raised by his Republican opponents for the 2024 nomination.
DeSantis’s fundraising success and strategic relocation of staff to Iowa have been crucial in stabilizing his campaign. The $15 million raised, although smaller than Trump’s haul, provides the resources needed to compete in Iowa and beyond. Campaign manager James Uthmeier expressed confidence in DeSantis’s campaign, stating that the fundraising success proves doubters wrong.
As the campaign progresses, DeSantis faces challenges in maintaining his position in the polls. He has fallen behind Nikki Haley in New Hampshire and is trailing Trump by significant margins nationally and in Iowa.[6] Despite these setbacks, DeSantis’s campaign remains optimistic and aims to secure a strong second-place showing in Iowa, where Trump continues to lead.[3]
While other campaigns have yet to release their fundraising numbers for the third quarter, Trump’s impressive haul establishes him as a formidable force in the Republican race.[7] The filing of public reports on October 15 will provide a comprehensive view of the candidates’ financial standings.
Overall, Trump’s fundraising success and DeSantis’s strategic moves in Iowa highlight the intensity and competition within the Republican Party for the 2024 presidential nomination. As the race continues, fundraising prowess and strong showings in key states will play a crucial role in determining the eventual nominee.
0. “DeSantis campaign announces $15 million haul in third quarter but only $5 million is available for primary” kwwl.com, 4 Oct. 2023, https://www.kwwl.com/news/politics/desantis-campaign-announces-15-million-haul-in-third-quarter-but-only-5-million-is-available/article_4043803e-b24a-5a50-becc-1c1beaac8e65.html
1. “DeSantis Gets a $15 Million Cash Infusion and Moves Staff to Iowa” Yahoo News, 4 Oct. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/desantis-gets-15-million-cash-182855679.html
2. “Trump campaign says he raised $45.5 million in 3rd quarter” Yahoo News, 5 Oct. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/trump-campaign-says-raised-45-234619428.html
3. “DeSantis announces $15 million fundraising haul, will move staff to Iowa” POLITICO, 4 Oct. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/04/desantis-fundraising-iowa-00119920
4. “Donald Trump Mug Shot Success: Here’s How Much Former President Raised After Viral Image, What It Means I” Benzinga, 5 Oct. 2023, https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/23/10/35112814/donald-trump-mug-shot-success-heres-how-much-former-president-raised-after-viral-image-what-it-means
5. “Trump Campaign Raises $45.5 Million as He Highlights Indictments” Bloomberg, 5 Oct. 2023, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-05/trump-campaign-raises-45-5-million-as-he-highlights-indictments
6. “DeSantis campaign moves staff to Iowa, announces $15 million in fundraising” The Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/04/desantis-iowa-staff-relocation-fundraising
7. “Trump campaign says he raised $45.5 million in 3rd quarter, tripling DeSantis’ fundraisng” CBS News, 5 Oct. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-raised-45-5-million-desantis-fundraisng-3rd-quarter/
