Trump, Biden rake in millions around debate
President Biden and former President Trump raked in millions around the debate on Thursday, which was the first presidential debate for the 2024 cycle.
Biden’s campaign raised $14 million on debate day and the morning after, it said. Additionally, the hour after the debate, between 11 p.m. and midnight, was the single best hour of fundraising since Biden launched his reelection bid in April 2023.
Trump’s campaign raised $8 million on the day of the debate, it said.
Biden entered June with $212 million in cash on hand after raising $85 million in May. Trump has not publicized details about his cash on hand, but significantly outraised Biden in May with a staggering $141 million.
While Biden outraised Trump around the debate, his poor performance sparked talk among some Democratic lawmakers and operatives over whether he should step aside. Additionally, some of his former aides and supportive allies acknowledged it was not a good performance.
Biden on Friday sought to tamp down panic over his ability to lead during an energized speech in North Carolina and acknowledged, “I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to.”
White House and campaign officials shut down talk of him dropping out of the race, as some Democrats had started suggesting Thursday night.