Lara Trump, Co-Chair of the Republican National Committee, commented on Vice President Kamala Harris receiving a historic fundraising boost after President Joe Biden exited the 2024 presidential race.
Biden’s decision to withdraw from the election and endorse Harris came after pressure from key Democrats concerned about his chances against former President Donald Trump in a possible rematch.
Within a day of Biden’s announcement, Harris’ campaign revealed it had raised a remarkable $81 million, setting a new record for the largest amount raised by a presidential candidate in a 24-hour period in U.S. history, as reported by the Associated Press.
During an interview with Fox News host Martha MacCallum, Lara Trump acknowledged Harris’ substantial fundraising while suggesting that the donations came from “millionaires and billionaires” eager to defeat her father-in-law.
Trump mentioned, “These are likely people who were holding back their money, and now that Joe is out, they are rallying behind the candidate.”
She expressed concerns about wealthy donors willing to go to extremes to oppose Donald Trump, regardless of the impact on the country.
The Harris campaign clarified that the $81 million included over 880,000 individual contributions from grassroots donors, with a majority making their first donations of the 2024 election cycle. The extent of millionaire or billionaire contributions was unspecified.
Kevin Munoz, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, stated, “The overwhelming support for Vice President Harris reflects the grassroots energy needed to win elections.” He highlighted the diverse support for their campaign’s efforts to engage with voters.
Additionally, Future Forward, a pro-Harris PAC, announced raising $150 million since Biden’s withdrawal from the race, as per AP.
While Harris is expected to receive significant support from affluent donors, it’s worth noting that Donald Trump, being a billionaire, also garners substantial financial backing. Elon Musk recently pledged to donate $45 million monthly to a Trump-affiliated PAC.