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Former President’s Campaign Funds Rise Despite High Legal Costs
United States: May was the second consecutive month that former President Donald Trump and his political organization outraised President Joe Biden. This was due to a deluge of donations following Trump’s criminal conviction, which swiftly reduced Biden’s financial edge throughout most of the campaign.
Surge in Donations Post-Conviction
According to a statement from his campaign, Biden and the Democrats raised $85 million in May. This amount falls far short of the astounding $141 million that Trump and his team claimed to have raised last month, thanks mainly to ten million of dollars almost to wake of his May 30 conviction in a New York criminal case for falsifying business records.
Biden’s Financial Cushion
The Biden campaign announced on Thursday that his committees have an enormous $212 million financial cushion as of June 1. The amount of cash on hand for each committee inside the Trump campaign has yet to be made public.
Although campaigns are only required to disclose financial information the following month, Federal Election Commission documents released late on Thursday provided a partial image. They revealed that as of May 31, Biden’s main campaign account held $91.6 million, while Trump’s central committee had more than $116.5 million. This represents a dramatic reversal of fortune from just one month prior when Biden had a $35 million cash advantage.
Fundraising Efforts and Campaign Infrastructure
The Biden team boasted about recruiting over 1,000 staff members in battleground states in tandem with the Democratic Party. It claimed that its war fund, which was amassed throughout the campaign, had contributed to establishing a sizable campaign infrastructure.
The sum that the Biden team disclosed on Thursday does not account for the president’s recent fundraising frenzy. He raised almost $30 million over the weekend at a star-studded dinner that included former President Barack Obama and Hollywood heavyweights like George Clooney and Julia Roberts, setting a Democratic record.
Additionally, his campaign on Thursday highlighted that former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg had contributed close to $20 million to his reelection and according to a campaign spokesperson, the billionaire, who competed against Biden in the 2020 Democratic primary, contributed the maximum amount of $929,600 to the Biden Victory Fund, the campaign’s joint fundraising vehicle with Democratic Party organizations.
Legal Fees Impact on Trump’s Campaign
Additionally, Bloomberg contributed $19 million to the FF PAC, the primary super PAC supporting Biden’s reelection campaign.
American Values 2024, a super PAC allied with Kennedy, did not disclose any more contributions from Mellon in its financial activity reports for May. However, Democrats have emphasized Mellon’s financial backing of both men in an attempt to paint Kennedy—the scion of a legendary Democratic family—as a GOP-backed spoiler candidate.
As Trump’s criminal trial in New York came to an end, Thursday’s disclosures also revealed that legal bills were further depleting his campaign’s financial resources.
85% of the funds his Save America leadership PAC spent last month—more than $3.6 million—went toward legal fees. Save America has been the campaign’s primary fundraising tool. Trump’s principal defense lawyer in the criminal trial, Todd Blanche, got almost half of it, or $1.8 million, to his law business. Additionally, the PAC had outstanding legal expenses of $861,000 as of June 1.
Since Trump took office, Save America has paid more than $83 million in legal fees.
News
Trump Hints at Potential Ban on the Abortion Pill in Future Policy
United States: Former President Donald Trump, speaking at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Thursday, said he might consider stopping access to mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortions.
Possible FDA Action
When asked by NBC News, Trump mentioned that there are options to change how these drugs are handled, and he didn’t rule out taking action like asking the Food and Drug Administration to remove mifepristone
“There are many things on a humane basis that you can do outside of that,” Trump added, saying that “you also have to give a vote” to people about abortion.
Shift in Position
As reported by NBC news, Trump’s comments Thursday appeared to be a shift from his position in June, when the former president as said in the CNN debate: “I will not block it.”
In the response to clarifying the questions that have been asked on the Trump’s position, Karoline Leavitt and the Trump’s campaign’s national press secretary told the NBC news about this.
As the president Trump said that he wants everybody to vote and, on the issue, reiterating his long-held position of supporting rights and of states to. Make the decisions on abortion.
Leavitt later clarified that, “As a President Trump had said the numerous times during the press conference and the questions being asked were difficult to hear and his position on the mifepristone remains the same and the Supreme Court unanimously decided on the issue and the matter which is settled.
Policy and Future Announcements
The idea of directing the FDA to revoke access to mifepristone is a rare core policy plan in the project 2025 also a 900-plus page document written by conservative groups and organized by the Heritage Foundation that lays out a governing plan for the next GOP presidential administration.
Recently at a press conference on Thursday Trump was also asked how he planned all these thing to vote in Florida’s ballot initiative and this fall to expand abortion the access and the former president a Florida resident didn’t say how would vote but hereby also teased a future announcement on that and added that abortion isn’t is a big factor anymore.
Criticism from Opponents
However, Harris-Walz campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez also critized the Tumps’ comments in a particular statement this Thursday.
“Already, women across the country are suffering because of the nightmare Donald Trump unleashed by overturning Roe v. Wade,” she said.
“That reality — women forced to the brink of death before receiving the care they need, doctors facing the threat of jail time for doing their jobs, and survivors of rape and incest made to flee their states for basic health care.
News
Kamala Harris Shows How Black Sororities Influence Politics
United States: On July 10, just before Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race, Kamala Harris attended a veritably important event for Alpha Kappa Alpha(AKA) in the Harward University, a major Black sorority she joined in council.
AKA, innovated in 1908 at Howard University, supports Black women and is one of the most influential sororities in America. Harris’s aunt was also a member in 1950. notorious women like Coretta Scott King, Toni Morrison, and Maya Angelou were part of AKA. In a 2021 Vogue cover, Harris was shown in AKA’s colours and wearing its hand plum choker.
Harris’s Continued Involvement with Black Sororities
As reported by The Guardian, since Biden stepped down and became the presumptive nominee, Harris has spoken at more sorority events, including one for Sigma Gamma Rho. There, she addressed comments from Donald Trump questioning her race. Harris feels a strong connection to these events, saying, “When I look out at everyone here, I see family.”
The Influence of Black Greek Letter Organizations
Black Greek letter organizations, like AKA, have a huge impact on politics. In 2020, when Biden chose Harris as his vice-presidential pick, AKA members raised a lot of money and helped get voters to the polls through creative campaigns. They used their networks to support voter registration and education, which was crucial for Biden’s election. These organizations, together known as the Divine Nine, have over four million members and significant funds.
Harris’s Journey and Black Greek Organizations
Lawrence Ross, an expert on the Divine Nine, explains that these organizations are more than just college groups. They continue to support members throughout their lives and focus on important issues like voter education. Harris’s involvement with AKA is a key part of her identity, like how Barack Obama’s connection with his church shaped his identity. Both Harris and Obama made choices that tied them to a distinctly American form of Black culture.
The Role of Divine Nine in U.S. History
Ross points out that the Divine Nine played a very vital and major role in the civil rights movement. Important figures are like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Jesse Jackson were members of these organizations. Harris’s sorority sisters remember her as ambitious and cool, balancing her serious approach to education with a relaxed side.
Excitement for Harris’s Historic Role
Harris’s sorority sisters are excited about her being a major political figure and see it as a historic moment. They are committed to supporting her and making sure her impact is recognized, especially in this important election. According to Ross, the Divine Nine’s involvement has been vital for advancing Black civil rights and continues to be influential today.
News
Harris Begins Campaign with Walz as Running Mate
United States: Vice President Kamala Harris is set to appear publicly with her new running mate, Tim Walz, at a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday. This event will mark or will be identified as the start of a five-day campaign tour across seven key battleground states.
Tim Walz’s Political Background
As reported by the telegraph, Tim Walz, who has been chosen as Harris’s running mate, has a notable political history. Elected to a Republican-leaning district in 2006, Walz served nearly 12 years before becoming governor of Minnesota. As governor, he advocated for progressive policies including free school meals, climate change action, and LGBT rights.
Selection Over Josh Shapiro
Walz was chosen for the vice-presidential spot over Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania. Some Democrats were concerned that Shapiro’s strong pro-Israel stance might be problematic for the campaign.
Walz’s Reaction to the Selection
Tim Walz described his new role as “the honour of a lifetime” in a post on X. He expressed his excitement to join Kamala Harris in the campaign.
Democrats Highlight Walz’s Gun Ownership
Democrats have emphasized or focused on that Walz is a “gun holder” and a “supporter of the Second Amendment of the constitution.” According to a press release, Walz is an avid pheasant hunter who has backed universal background checks for gun purchases as governor. He believes that more needs to be done to address gun violence.
Poll Shows Many Unfamiliar with Walz
A recent NPR/PBS/Marist polls shows that most Americans do not know Tim Walz well or they don’t have any specific idea about him. The survey, conducted from August 1-4, found that 71% of U.S. adults had never heard of Walz or were unsure about him. Hereby almost 17% viewed him favourably or can say in the favour, while 12% had an unfavourable opinion.
Harris Praises Walz’s Leadership
Kamala Harris has praised Walz’s “principled leadership” and his proven track record in Minnesota. In a message to supporters, Harris expressed confidence that Walz will bring strong leadership to their campaign and to the vice presidency. She also asked for immediate support to help defeat Donald Trump and JD Vance, emphasizing how much their backing means to both her and Walz.