Kamala Harris campaign ends in $20 million in debt despite raising $1 billion

Kamala Harris' 2024 presidential campaign has concluded in financial distress, with reports confirming it ended $20 million in debt despite raising over $1 billion.

According to multiple media outlets, including Politico and Breitbart News, the campaign spent approximately $900 million by mid-October, with the remaining funds exhausted by the end of the month.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings revealed that the Harris campaign had raised more than $1 billion in total, with $118 million still in the bank as of October 16. However, the campaign's financial woes deepened as the funds quickly dwindled, leaving it in the red by $20 million.

Harris' campaign had raised more than twice the amount of President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign, which reported raising less than $400 million, with a remaining cash reserve of $36 million.

The stark contrast in financial outcomes has raised questions about the campaign’s spending strategy, particularly the heavy reliance on high-profile advertising and celebrity events.

Sources close to the campaign have attributed the financial troubles to campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon, who is accused of mismanaging funds and stifling the vice president’s influence over her own campaign.

According to staffers, O'Malley Dillon's tight control and interference with the campaign led to frustration and a feeling of being sidelined. Many staffers reportedly felt that the campaign was effectively run by the Biden camp, rather than being tailored to Harris' image and priorities.

In terms of expenditure, nearly $700 million of the funds raised were spent on advertising, with high-profile concerts featuring stars like Katy Perry, Lizzo, and Eminem adding to the campaign’s spending.

The campaign also invested heavily in large-scale advertising efforts, including flying banners over NFL games in swing states and spending nearly $500,000 daily on ads in Nevada, a key battleground state.

Despite the massive spending, staffers have claimed they are still awaiting overdue payments for their work, adding to the sense of disarray and financial mismanagement within the campaign.

The Harris campaign’s financial struggles may serve as a cautionary tale as it faces increased scrutiny in the lead-up to the 2024 election.

President-elect Donald Trump mocked Kamala Harris' struggling campaign after it was revealed she ended the 2024 election with $20 million in debt, despite raising over $1 billion. In a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Trump expressed surprise that the Democrats, who had a record fundraising effort, found themselves in financial trouble. He suggested that the GOP should offer help during this "difficult period" for the sake of unity.