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Trump’s FEC Filings
Donald Trump’s May FEC filings were released yesterday evening and they do not paint a pretty picture. Trump entered June with $1.3 million in cash-on-hand. That’s fairly typical… for a semi-competitive congressional race. Over on the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton had $42 million going into June. In May, Trump’s campaign spent $6.7 million. About 20 percent of this spending was payments to firms he owns and covering his children’s travel expenses. Looking forward, Clinton’s campaign has reserved $117 million in ad buys between tomorrow and Election Day on television, while Trump and his groups have reserved $700,000. It’ll be hard for the RNC to cover the gap, as:
…the RNC had only about $20 million cash-on-hand at the end of the month — $40 million less than the RNC did as of May 2012, when Mitt Romney, a prolific fundraiser, was topping the ticket. And it raised about $20 million less in May 2016 as it did in May 2012.
Trump’s not doing as much fundraising for the RNC as Romney did. As an example, once securing the nomination he apparently promised to call 20 big donors for the RNC, but only called three before moving on to other activities.
Also of note, the FEC filings also disclose $35,000 in payments to an ad agency called “Draper Sterling” (found on page 1,268 of the filing). It is unclear if this is a real ad agency, as it is “located” in suburban New Hampshire, and the name seems to be a homage to Mad Men.
As for fundraising in June, Saturday Trump threatened to go back to self-funding his campaign, which is an odd threat given that it was previously seen as a promise and selling point. He also sent out his first “$100,000 emergency” email plea this weekend.
It’s unclear if Trump do any fundraising while he’s in Scotland later this week, or any campaigning generally. The stated purpose of the trip is to open a golf course and resort.
His campaign staff consists of around 69 employees (down by two yesterday, including Lewandowski). In contrast, Clinton has about 700 on staff. While he will probably grow his staff size going forward, his lack of a voter data team is a conscious decision, not just something he’s behind on.
If Trump were beating Clinton in the polls, Trump’s success would make Clinton’s billion-dollar operation look ridiculous. But as he’s currently down by six points, his sparse operation looks less than reassuring to those hoping he’ll win. While it’s impressive he’s so close despite complete lack of a traditional “campaign infrastructure”, his supporters and down-ballot Republicans probably wish he would be a little more traditional in this department.
(Update: The original post misstated the number of employees Trump has; it has been corrected by the author).
Published in General
Why do you think it’s donors trying to get Trump tossed off? The current push is delegates, who tend to be longtime activists or low-level elected officials. The donors were remarkably unhelpful when it was obviously a choice between Trump and Cruz, preferring to sit it out or donate to Kasich.
You believe the delegates have now- all of a sudden- decided they want to depose Trump? On their own? After the primaries supposedly produced enough people who supported Trump personally so that earlier efforts to dump Trump were futile?
Sure, sure. Ymmv, again.
Were McConnell, Boehner, or Cantor running? IIRC,voters unhappy with GOP leadership could’ve gone with Cruz, Walker, Jindal, or Perry instead of chasing after the Pied Piper of Queens–people with real political accomplishments and none of the massive character flaws or lack of a conservative track record.
They didn’t have earlier efforts. Again, the delegates aren’t the same group of people as donors and pundits, though there’s probably a little overlap. They’re diehard party activists and low-level elected officials. They’re looking at Trump’s current polls and lack of campaign and freaking out. I know the delegates and alternates from my congressional district, and they do the grunt work of being involved in local politics because of their commitment to ideology, not donor dollars. Maybe the ones you know are different.
What’s funny is that I thought of preempting this sort of comment by saying “And don’t bring up the fact that Romney’s spending failed to win the election, because that’s confusing a necessary with a sufficient condition, and is thus a logical fallacy.” Then I thought, “Nah, no-one would actually commit that fallacy.” Looks like I was wrong.
But how he would handle politics is completely unknown. You are equivocating (another logical fallacy) by changing the meaning of the word “known.”
But just because they were hurt by one person doesn’t mean that another person can’t hurt them worse. How would Trump’s supporters fare in the midst of a recession caused by a trade war? Pretty badly. And near as I can see from responses to those concerned about preserving free trade, the possibility of such a recession is not factored into the assumptions of Trump supporters.
I’m sure a lot of folks said that about the Weimar Republic. What could possibly be worse than hyperinflation?!! As it turns out, a lot.
My point is not that Trump = Hitler, but that it’s cavalier to say you have nothing left to lose by supporting a loose cannon of a candidate. And if support of Trump requires me to adopt a cavalier attitude toward politics, I’ll decline, thank you.
I wouldn’t put it past Trump to file for Chapter 11 on the campaign.
Paraphrasing your comment, Romney’s spending got him nothing, so I’m going to try and change the subject.
Good Job!
Getting back to the guts of the OP, it looks pretty apparent that Trump hasn’t devoted the money or resources as yet to conduct a presidential campaign for the general election. Further, there are indications that there has been disarray within his own campaign and that his campaign has had a difficult time working with the RNC leadership. For this to change, Trump may have to soften his rhetoric toward the GOP, RNC and others in the party and thus exhibit some leadership if he wants the RNC to help him. But this is also symbiotic relationship where each party should benefit. Donald presumably knows all about deals where each party can derive some benefit. Unfortunately, if the reports on his campaign are credible, it indicates that he just may not be the phenomenal businessman and leader he has claimed to be. It’s not difficult to surmise why this may be the case. Trump is notoriously unfocused and unwilling to defer to people who know more than he does about politics and electioneering. But he is attracted to people who give him praise.
Continued fixation on why Trump became popular and how angry the base was or still is, doesn’t help Trump’s current predicament and has the potential to only make matters worse for him…and the GOP. Of course, there is a substantial portion of the Republican base that is not only displeased with Trump as the presumptive standard bearer but unwilling to support him and some who may actually work to upend the upcoming convention.
It strains credulity that the weakness displayed in Trump’s FEC filings is somehow the result of GOP establishment angst, anger or distaste for Trump but that the reason that Trump’s resources are dismally paltry is because Trump has not delegated responsibility to
terrificthe best people or spent the amount of money that many of his most ardent supporters presumed he had to spend. Why he hasn’t spent in competitive numbers to Hillary, may just be that he isn’t as liquid as he claims to be. And if that’s true, it would mean that he’s been exaggerating or lying for several months now. Not that that matters…to some.My God. He’s been running in this race for a year, in addition to having been a public figure for decades. I think we can and should have a decent appreciation for how he has and will conduct politics.
Also, I dispute your idea that the meaning of the word “known” is somehow strange and inscrutable.
We are already in the midst of a recession caused by a trade war, which has continued for decades, courtesy of the globalism of our political class.
Wanna bet?
It seems like forever ago, but it was only a few months ago that some Trump supporters were relying on Trump’s self-funding as a big reason for backing him. Remember that? “He’s self-funding so he doesn’t owe anything to donors.”
That didn’t last very long. And that idea is down the memory hole. Now he says that he doesn’t need the Republican party apparatus and that he can do it himself and he’ll do “beautifully” and the Republicans should “just be quiet.”
I think the party should take him at his word, and insist that he self-fund. He says he has the money.
I expect that if the United States continues on its present course the country will disintegrate, as in cease to exist.
I further expect that this will involve financial collapse, the end of the welfare state, refugee crises and ethnic cleansing inside the territory of the former United States, and of course civil war as well.
So forgive if I remain unmoved by the prospect of a recession if the next president takes action to avoid all the above.
Here’s an idea. Trump can raise millions by auctioning off sets of his outrageously valuable Trump cuff links.
Hey, I am just trying to be helpful because he appears to be cash-strapped at the moment.
But he fights. He’s not a loser. He’s brilliant. So handsome. And strong for America.
Yup.
Trump’s new campaign slogan is that Hillary is a World Class Liar. As any 3rd grader would point out, it takes one to know one, and no one is better qualified under that dictum to judge Hillary than Trump.
I admit I have a hard time taking this kind of hyperbole seriously. I mean, half our states left and we slaughtered our fellow citizens for four years, and yet we came out of that a unified country. What specific event in the next four to eight years could possible result in these dire consequences?
The election of Hillary Clinton as president.
I love this kind of thinking.
You’ll show those cursed Trump fans! They’ll come crawling back in time for the 2020 elections, chastened, having been taught never to challenge the establishment!!
Your problem is that this is the exact sort of behavior that got the gop establishment into this mess in the first place.
That is, treating your supporters as property who must do as they’re told, or else they’ll face the wrath of their betters.
Let me explain to you how this will shake out, if you get your wish.
Either Trump will win without the establishment, or he will lose. Well, duh.
But if he wins, he obviously has no reason to pay any attention to your side or your demands- ever.
If he loses, Trump supporters- rank-and-file Republicans, conservatives, etc- will blame the establishment for the betrayal and defeat.
I don’t think that will bring the establishment future success, especially when candidates who have learned that they can make a go of it with Trump’s issues- like the guy who just defeated Randy Forbes- become more common.
Which they will. No matter how much the establishment squeals.
I didn’t know cockroaches squealed.
Trump told the media and his rally crowds that he deliberately turned down millions offered to him from wealthy donors because he didn’t want to be seen as being bought and that he would self-fund his campaign. Well, several months have gone by since those pronouncements and the money in his coffers (after paying himself a salary and reimbursing his aircraft costs and resort properties) is a paltry sum by all recent presidential campaign standards. Now, we’re all supposed to disparage the evil cabal that is the GOPe for the predicament that Trump has brought upon himself. If he’s worth $10 Billion, then why isn’t there at least a couple of hundred million or more saved up as a campaign fund? Or could it be that he’s been talking through his hat all along and conned his followers. No. That couldn’t be the case. It’s a GOPe trick somehow to embarrass him. Those squealing cockroaches!
Why do you think this has anything to do with what I wrote?
I know you don’t like Trump- I remember that photoshop of him as loser after he lost the Iowa caucus- good times for you wasn’t it?- but nothing you say challenges my statements.
Shrug. I suggest you folks accept that you lost and just get on with the business of raising money for the GOP nominee and, otherwise, just stop the squealing.
No one wants to hear it, or cares that you’re unhappy that you lost, any more than the GOPe cared that people were unhappy that Mittens became the gop nominee in 2012.
You folks need to get busy electing Trump president.
Ixnay on squelay, or whatever. But send the money, just like we were expected to do so when Romney became the nominee, despite our reservations.
Chop chop.
Folks, you come across way too bitter & bent on punishing people with whom you disagree. This entire ‘I’ll teach you a lesson’ attitude is wrongheaded. This is not the kind of education anyone comes here to find, is it?
Nobody on Ricochet has any power over anyone else–certainly nothing beyond amusing or annoying people; or possibly hurting the feelings or rousing the anger of the more susceptible. There’s nothing good or decent in trying to hurt or humiliate someone who has not done anything like that to you.
Nobody on Ricochet is the embodiment of forces or factions that can or should be harmed or humiliated.
Really? That’s the definition of self-funding? Trump can sell his vast inventory of schlock cuff links and premium steaks and Chinese-manufactured apparel…and if need be, maybe a golf resort or two (I understand the one in Scotland is a drain anyway). Why would I want to throw money at a man who claims he’s worth $10 Billion who has boasted he would self-fund his campaign? Starting to smell like a different version of the Nigerian advance-fee scam. Why would I fall for this crook’s con like those who were conned at Trump University or those who got sucked into buying unfinished Trump condos in Mexico for millions and had to sue to get their money back? And why aren’t the millions of Trump rally attendees sending whatever they can and keeping this film-flam man adequately funded? Go badger someone else for money or better yet, ask Trump to make good on his promise. Adhering to promises, I thought, was high on the list for Trump supporters who have demonized other politicians for breaking theirs.
Spot on. I must say, however, that my attitude has been imposed upon me by my long experience watching the GOP establishment betray its supporters, in a myriad of ways.
Again, spot on. But you should make that argument against the nevertrumpers who delight in their nastiness against us reviled Trumpkins, frequently trumpeting- ha ha – their plans to harm us.
Mr. Xennady, I’m glad we have some agreement. I’ll add, it’s not just you or your faction. The other faction is not exempt either in fact or in my post above. My favorite is a guy whose opening bid is, Trump hates America, Trump hates freedom! These things happen even on Ricochet.
It’s going to get far worse if there is no common ground. I’m against Mr. Trump. I think he’s a conman. But I do not think he’s an America-hater. Maybe that’s not enough for moderation–so I certainly try to be respectful of people who disagree with me either about the man himself or his campaign, which is a somewhat different thing, admittedly.
I hope we can have some way to back down when we get into the kind of showdowns now all too common.
I understand what you mean about being betrayed by the party. On that, I fully agree with you. As far as I can see, on principle, the social conservatives have been screwed the worst for the longest time; but practically, it’s the working classes. The party’s not going to change unless it’s shocked. But the people here do not deserve hatred or abuse. I hope to retain some kind of agreement with those Ricochetti who support the party, even if it’s hard to do. What I’ll do, if it comes to it, is try to treat people with respect.
Your blather has nothing to do with the question at hand- that is, who should be the next president of the United States?
I say it should be the guy who won the most votes in the recent set of elections held in the various states to determine the next candidate for the Republican party. Of course, I except Colorado, which held no election, fearing that the wrong person might win.
That person is, of course, Donald Trump.
Again, you folks should get busy fundraising for him, if you ever expect to have a voice in the party after the upcoming election.
Or don’t, because your absurd globalism has no future in American politics- and the sooner this makes you go away, the better.
People are angry these days & likely to take out the anger on people at hand on Ricochet because there’s nothing they can do to stop the people they oppose. To some extent, that’s inevitable & even healthy–politics is pretty ugly & whoever wants to avoid all fights should avoid all politics; & sports; & American idol, probably, too, for good measure…
But Ricochet is threatening to turn into the Thunderdome. That would be going too far. We’ve got to find some way to disagree on candidates & policies without going crazy. I admit that there is no easy to do that except with friends, & even then it’s tricky.
So we need to act more like friends & less like people looking for trouble in a bar, afraid they might let someone get away with slighting them, & itching to pound their sense of honor into each other’s skulls four knuckles at a time…
What the OP is about is Trump’s FEC filing specifically and has detailed how inadequate are the funds raised to date to compete against Hillary Clinton — information and points which you’ve chosen to ignore but instead preferred to go on yet another tirade about the GOP establishment or those unwilling to support Trump, and engage in tossing out insults and name calling. You may characterize my comments as blather if that makes you feel better but your failure to address why Trump has been incredibly incompetent or unable to raise funds or self-fund his campaign as promised is most telling. Good night and enjoy the remainder of your evening.
I treasure immensely the various people- yourself, Brian Watt, others- who take the time to make a comment in some form or another about what I say.
Time is precious, and I regret that there are many occasions that I cannot respond in kind, or that I cannot make a comment in support of a position I’d like to endorse, or to support someone who is making a statement I agree with- but that’s just life.