As all eyes are on Trump’s New York trial, Trump’s campaign continues its efforts to raise as much money for the presidential campaign. With the help of former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and other prominent Democrats, Joe Biden has raised $192 million until the end of March, leaving Trump’s campaign far behind with only $65.8 million raised in the first quarter of the year. According to available reports, Trump’s campaign ended in March with $13.7 million on hand.
Biden’s largest fundraiser in New York
President Biden participated in a star-studded fundraiser with former Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton in late March in New York City in what appeared to be a record-setting event, with more than $26 million raised in a single day. This event helped President Biden widen his cash advantage over Trump, allowing him to spend more on advertising in key battleground states where Trump still holds the lead. Polls indicate that the race for the White House is extremely close.
Trump’s Florida fundraising event
Several days after Biden’s record-setting event, Trump’s campaign said it raised $50.5 million at an April 6th fundraising event in Florida. The campaign and top officials with the Republican National Committee announced a haul far exceeding the $26 million that Biden reported collecting at the star-studded gathering in New York City. This event came as significant support for the former president as his political operation scrambles to close its big financial gap with President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party.
Florida Gov. DeSantis to help Trump
But after all, Trump is far from alone in the race. And the latest to join the fundraising efforts is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who reportedly told donors and supporters at an appreciation retreat earlier this month that he would help fundraise for former presidential rival Donald Trump. This was initially reported by CNN, citing two sources familiar with the details.
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Texas businessman Roy Bailey confirms the news
“He’s committed to helping Trump in any and every way,” said Texas businessman Roy Bailey, who attended the retreat. “We are going to follow his lead, and we’re excited to do everything we can to get Trump elected. If we can unlock and motivate our donors for Trump and put more fuel in his tank, that’s what we want to do, and that’s what we need to do to make sure [President Joe] Biden is not reelected,” Bailey said to CNN.
Other sources confirm DeSantis’ commitment
Speaking to NBC News, an adviser to Ron DeSantis mentioned that DeSantis had committed to supporting Republican candidates at all levels, including those running for president, after he withdrew from the presidential race in January. This statement follows a period of intense rivalry with Donald Trump, which continued even after DeSantis exited the presidential primaries. It is still not confirmed whether Trump and his team are looking for support from DeSantis or see him as a potential ally, despite DeSantis having endorsed Trump earlier in January.
No joint appearance yet
Upon ending his bid for the White House in January, DeSantis publicly supported Trump for the Republican nomination, but he has not joined Trump at any subsequent campaign events. During a press conference in Florida in March, when asked if he would campaign alongside Trump, DeSantis highlighted that Florida no longer faces tight competition in elections.
“This is not going to be a state that’s competitive in November, and that’s just the reality. So I don’t anticipate there being much campaign here for the top of the ticket,” DeSantis said. “How I can help nationally, I want to be able to do that, I don’t know exactly.”
Defeating Joe Biden
A representative from Trump’s campaign stated they were unaware that DeSantis had begun fundraising on their behalf but emphasized that “everyone should be working towards defeating Joe Biden and electing President Trump.”
