Which 2024 Presidential Candidate is Raising the Most Money?

Recent campaign finance filings offered insight into the strength, resources, and momentum of the candidates in the 2024 race for the White House. 

Biden: President Joe Biden raised $19.9 million last quarter. The Biden campaign is spending far less than former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, reporting only $1.1 million in expenses the past quarter. The New York Times (Lean Left bias) broke down Biden’s fundraising numbers, finding the bulk of his cash is coming from wealthy donors and stating that the “small-dollar online money spigot” that elevated Biden in 2020 “has not yet turned on.”

DeSantis: DeSantis raised a little over $20 million last quarter, but his high expenses (just under $8 million) led his team to fire around a dozen staffers. A report from the Wall Street Journal (Center bias) found that DeSantis raised over $2 million from donors who previously donated to Trump in 2020. 

Trump: Trump raised $17.7 million last quarter. Despite raising less than DeSantis and spending roughly the same amount the past quarter, Trump’s already sizable cash reserve left him with more money on hand, totaling $22.5 million compared to DeSantis’ $12.2 million. Additionally, Trump’s numbers include funds raised in April, before DeSantis announced his campaign and began taking donations. 

How the Media Covered It: The fundraising figures were spun in a variety of ways across the spectrum as outlets included different variables, factors, narratives, and figures in their reporting.