Trump Faces Decline in Small-Dollar Donations, Raising Financial Concerns for 2024 Campaign
Donald Trump’s small-dollar contributions have significantly decreased since his last presidential campaign, presenting a financial challenge as he tries to keep pace with the Democrats’ fundraising efforts. According to an analysis by The Associated Press and OpenSecrets, an organization that tracks political spending, fewer than one-third of Trump’s campaign contributions have come from donors giving less than $200. This marks a steep drop from the nearly 50% of small-dollar donations in his 2020 race.
In total, Trump has raised $98 million from small donors through June 2024, a 40% decline from the $165 million raised during a similar period in his previous campaign. As a result, Trump is increasingly relying on wealthy donors and groups backed by them, a shift that undermines his populist message, which was pivotal to his initial White House victory.
This financial setback comes as Democrats have raised substantial sums from small-dollar contributors. Since April 2023, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have amassed $285 million from such donors, accounting for more than 40% of their fundraising, according to OpenSecrets.
Republican Fundraising Concerns
Trump’s fundraising dip has sparked concern among GOP strategists about the party’s ability to maintain financial support from its aging base. Many Republican donors are older, living on fixed incomes, and facing increasing financial pressures that leave them with less disposable income for political contributions. Polls consistently show that the Republican voter base is aging, posing challenges for sustaining grassroots financial support.
Moreover, the Republican Party’s aggressive and sometimes overbearing digital fundraising tactics are alienating potential contributors. Campaigns and committees frequently share or rent donor lists, leading to an overwhelming flood of fundraising solicitations. This practice has frustrated many small-dollar donors, making them hesitant to contribute.
“Republican vendors have so mistreated our donors that many grassroots supporters no longer want to give to us,” said John Hall, a Republican fundraising consultant. He noted that once donors contribute to any Republican candidate, they often receive dozens of texts from other campaigns, causing frustration. According to a survey conducted by Hall’s firm, Apex Strategies, 72% of Republican donors reported continued solicitation after requesting to be removed from donor lists.
Donor Fatigue and Frustration
Small-dollar donors have expressed dissatisfaction with the deluge of fundraising requests. Susan Brito, a 51-year-old Floridian who donated a modest $69 over 2022 and 2023, said she stopped giving this year because of the constant barrage of texts. “I am disabled, and they just keep asking for more money,” Brito said.
Similarly, Bill Ruggio, 70, who contributed $60 over the past two years, said he stopped giving due to financial strain and frustration with the flood of messages from Republican candidates. “I don’t even look at my texts anymore during the political season,” Ruggio said. “I’m missing personal ones because there are so many political messages.”
This sentiment is echoed by Doug Deeken, the Republican Party chair in Wayne County, Ohio, who said complaints about relentless fundraising appeals are common among grassroots donors.
The Campaign’s Response and Shifts
The Trump campaign has acknowledged the financial difficulties many supporters are facing but attributes the issue to the broader economic conditions under the Biden administration. “President Trump completely understands that people are struggling under Biden and Harris’s economy,” said Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
In an effort to regain control of fundraising, Trump has attempted to stop other Republican campaigns and committees from using his name and likeness in their fundraising appeals. In March 2023, Trump’s campaign issued a memo prohibiting outside groups from using his image without consent, and in 2021, he sent cease-and-desist letters to top Republican committees in Washington.
Despite spikes in small-dollar donations during notable events — such as his felony conviction in May and an assassination attempt in July — these temporary surges have not been enough to offset the overall decline in contributions.
For longtime Trump donor Stephen Buckhalter, the financial pressure of daily expenses is a key reason for stopping his contributions. Having donated $120 in the past two years, Buckhalter said the rising costs of living have left little room for political giving. “When you’re paying more for food, gas, insurance, and rent, there’s just not much left at the end of the month,” he explained.
Still, Buckhalter’s decision to stop donating does not reflect a lack of support for Trump. “Heck no,” he said when asked if he still backed the former president.
Conclusion
As Trump’s campaign grapples with a steep drop in small-dollar donations, the shift could pose challenges for his 2024 bid and raise broader concerns about the Republican Party’s fundraising strategies. Many grassroots donors feel alienated by persistent solicitation tactics and the financial pressures of everyday life, potentially signaling a larger issue for the GOP as it prepares for the next presidential election.
