Biden and Trump Experience Fundraising Surge Post-Conviction

In a dramatic turn of events, both Donald Trump and Joe Biden experienced significant fundraising boosts following Trump's New York hush money conviction. The day after Trump's conviction, Joe Biden's campaign had its single biggest day of online fundraising, drawing more new donors than any day since he launched his campaign last year. Unlike Trump, Biden's campaign did not initially use the trial for political fundraising. However, data from ActBlue showed a surge in donations on May 30 and May 31, the days surrounding the New York jury's guilty verdict.

On May 31, Biden's campaign and two joint fundraising committees raised $8.1 million, although this amount was still less than Trump's post-conviction fundraising. The conviction appeared to mobilize grassroots donors who had been less active earlier in the cycle, with Mike Nellis, CEO of Authentic, attributing Biden's fundraising success to a combination of big moments, emotions, and competent digital fundraising.

Online fundraising has generally stalled this cycle, with Democrats and Republicans showing different patterns. Democrats had previously thrived on news-driven fundraising events, such as the 2022 Dobbs decision. Biden's campaign, which has more than 250,000 recurring donors, had its best month from recurring donors in May, raising $6.5 million. The Trump verdict significantly motivated Democratic donors this cycle, with Biden’s campaign and joint fundraising committees receiving over 69,000 ActBlue donations on May 30 and 114,000 donations on May 31. Nearly 78,000 of these post-conviction donors were first-time donors this cycle.

May 31 was ActBlue’s best day this cycle, even rivaling some of the best single fundraising days around the Dobbs decision. Trump's campaign raised nearly $53 million in the 24 hours following the conviction, though this figure won't be verifiable until next month. Biden's campaign used a subtler approach in their post-conviction fundraising, emphasizing the need to counter Trump's fundraising success. Kenneth Pennington, partner at the Democratic digital firm Middle Seat, noted that Democratic donors are motivated to counteract Trump's fundraising gains.

In other developments, Joe Biden has scheduled the earliest major presidential debate ever. Despite this early scheduling, Biden's allies believe the debate is unlikely to dramatically alter the race. Biden needs the debate to shake things up and quiet his skeptics. The campaign received requests to boot the audience, mute the mics, and prevent Fox News from hosting the debate.

National polling shows the race as a virtual dead heat, with Trump holding a narrow lead on average in battleground states. RealClearPolitics' averages show Michigan and Wisconsin are too close to call, with Trump narrowly leading in Pennsylvania. Studies indicate that debates have only a modest effect on presidential election outcomes. Biden faces questions about being replaced due to his poor approval ratings, which have not recovered post-Afghanistan withdrawal. His team hopes the debate will increase American attention on the race, as traditional fall debates are widely watched.

Biden's campaign chose the podium position over the final speaking order, giving Trump the last word of the night. Many incumbent presidents, including Obama and Trump, have struggled in their first debate. Biden has been preparing for his first exchange with Trump since 2020 at Camp David. Trump stated that his whole life had been debate prep and criticized the idea of intense debate preparation.

Americans are now less inundated with Trump news compared to the past. Trump's performance in the first 2020 debate, marked by constant interruptions, was widely criticized. Republicans are advising Trump to focus on attacking Biden on immigration and the economy. Trump has tried to play the traditional-expectations game by talking up Biden before the debate. Meanwhile, Trump's allies are attempting to influence the debate moderators, CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. Trump and his team are also promoting a conspiracy theory that Biden will use performance-enhancing drugs before the debate.

Conservative Bias:

Well, folks, it’s no surprise that the radical left is at it again, using every dirty trick in the book to fill their coffers. After the politically motivated witch hunt against President Trump, the liberals couldn't wait to exploit the situation. Biden's campaign, despite its initial pretense of staying above the fray, soon jumped at the chance to rake in cash from their gullible base. They used the conviction to whip their supporters into a frenzy, pushing emotional buttons to squeeze out every last cent. It’s a classic move from the Democrats—capitalize on chaos, play the victim, and then quietly count the money. Meanwhile, the mainstream media continues to cover for Biden, ignoring his administration’s failures and focusing on fabricated scandals to distract from the real issues. The Democrats thrive on division, and this fundraising surge is just another example of their cynical manipulation of the American public.

Liberal Bias:

Once again, the Republicans are showing their true colors, exploiting a scandal to line their pockets. Trump's conviction, a clear example of his corrupt behavior, has become a fundraising bonanza for the GOP. Despite being found guilty, Trump and his cronies are shamelessly using this as a rallying cry to galvanize their base, raking in millions from supporters who have been fed a steady diet of lies and conspiracy theories. The GOP’s fundraising machine is in overdrive, using fear and misinformation to fill their war chest. Meanwhile, Biden’s campaign, despite being forced to respond to this unprecedented situation, has maintained a level of dignity and restraint. The Republican strategy is clear: distract, deflect, and deceive. They are more interested in power and money than in addressing the real issues facing America. The GOP's willingness to exploit Trump's criminality for financial gain is a stark reminder of their moral bankruptcy and disdain for democratic norms.