Trump Relies on Billionaire Donors to Fund 2024 Race Against Harris

GOP nominee reverses trend of small-dollar donor reliance
Harris raised record-setting $1.1 billion in the third quarter

Donald Trump, center, and JD Vance, right, greet Elon Musk, prior to a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 5.Photographer: Justin Merriman/Bloomberg

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By Bill Allison

October 21, 2024 at 5:11 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Donald Trump, who rose to political power fueled by grassroots contributors giving in small increments, is now reliant on wealthy backers, including billionaires Elon Musk and Miriam Adelson, to underwrite his third White House bid.

The former president’s political operation has raised nearly twice as much money — $514.7 million — from donors giving $1 million or more to super political action committees, compared to the $260 million his campaign has raised from small-dollar donors giving $200 or less, according to the latest Federal Election Commission filings.