Despite criticism over his debate performance, President Biden's campaign raised a substantial $27 million since Thursday's encounter with former President Trump. The fundraising surge suggests that Democratic donors remain committed to Biden, despite concerns about his age and mental fitness.
President Biden's re-election campaign has raised a whopping $27 million since his rocky debate performance against former President Trump, according to the campaign. The surge in donations comes amid Democratic Party concerns over Biden's mental fitness and ability to serve as president.
The Biden campaign announced that it raised a record-breaking $14 million on debate day and the morning after, with the first hour after the debate being the single best hour of fundraising since the campaign's launch in April 2023. This unexpected show of support suggests that Democratic donors remain committed to Biden, despite concerns raised by pundits and some Democrats about his performance.
Biden's Rocky Debate Performance Fails to Deter Democratic Donors
Biden's performance in the debate was widely criticized, with political analysts noting his difficulty in delivering coherent answers and struggling with a raspy voice. The president himself acknowledged that he "doesn't walk as easily" or "debate as well" as he used to.
However, Biden's campaign insists that he remains fit to serve as president and points to his experience and accomplishments as evidence. Top Biden allies have pushed back against calls for him to step aside, while Democratic donors appear to be rallying behind him.
Biden's Rocky Debate Performance Fails to Deter Democratic Donors
"Biden's record grassroots fundraising from the day of the debate is critical. It helps blunt the criticism from Biden's performance," said Democratic strategist Maria Cardona. "It reminds Democrats that there is enthusiasm for the president and urgency to make sure that the liar and criminal Donald Trump doesn't get close to the Oval Office."
The Trump campaign, which has been enjoying a post-debate narrative, downplayed the Biden fundraising. "As of last week, the Biden campaign has spent $100 million on cable, TV and radio. They've spent money on a bloated organization. Yet President Trump's lead has grown in battleground states," said Trump campaign senior adviser Brian Hughes.
Biden's Rocky Debate Performance Fails to Deter Democratic Donors
The large sums of cash raised by the Biden campaign will undoubtedly play a significant role in the upcoming election, as political campaigns rely heavily on donations to fund advertising, outreach, and other campaign activities. The surge in fundraising since the debate suggests that Democratic donors remain optimistic about Biden's chances of re-election, despite concerns about his age and mental fitness.
