In the initial stages of the general election face-off, Joe Biden has significantly outspent Donald Trump on advertising. The president and his allies have nearly tripled their ad spending compared to Biden’s network over the past six weeks. Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign funds have been heavily drained by legal expenses.
Ad Spending Overview
From March 6, the day following Super Tuesday when Trump effectively clinched the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, through to Sunday, Biden’s campaign and other Democratic advertisers have spent approximately $27.2 million on presidential race advertising. In contrast, the Trump campaign and GOP advertisers have spent around $9.3 million, according to data from AdImpact.
Biden’s campaign has strategically invested millions in key battleground states such as Michigan ($4.1 million), Pennsylvania ($3.9 million), Arizona ($2.5 million), Wisconsin ($2.2 million), and Georgia ($2.2 million). The Biden network has utilized its abundant airtime to highlight the administration’s first-term achievements and criticize Trump, with a particular focus on the cost of living and abortion rights.
Ad Content
For instance, Biden’s campaign recently spent over half a million dollars airing a new ad in Arizona, capitalizing on the contentious abortion rights debate in the state. The ad asserts that “millions of women lost the fundamental freedom to control their own bodies” due to Trump’s policies, posing the question of what freedoms might be lost if Trump regains power.
Conversely, a pro-Trump super PAC, MAGA Inc., has increased its advertising efforts, booking over $1 million worth of airtime in Pennsylvania to coincide with Biden’s recent campaign tour in the state. The ad claims that “Biden’s open border puts us all at risk by releasing criminal illegals into our communities,” reflecting the Trump campaign’s emphasis on immigration and crime throughout his 2024 bid.
Trump’s Legal Expenses
Despite these activities, Trump’s network has been significantly outspent by Biden on the airwaves since becoming the presumptive nominee. Moreover, Trump’s campaign has been disrupted by the commencement of his criminal hush money trial in New York. This has forced Trump off the campaign trail, while Biden spent three days in Pennsylvania last week, meeting union voters, rallying with the Kennedys, and criticizing his predecessor’s economic policies.
Trump’s escalating legal expenses are widening the gap. His political committees have had to allocate millions of dollars towards legal costs as several cases against the former president proceed. In March alone, a leadership PAC covering most of Trump’s legal fees spent about $3.7 million on legal-related expenses, nearly $3 out of every $4 it collected.
Fundraising and Polls
The latest Federal Election Commission filings further illustrate how Biden’s fundraising advantage is fueling his advertising edge. As of April, Biden’s campaign reported $85.5 million in cash on hand, nearly doubling Trump’s war chest of $45.1 million. A similar disparity exists between the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee, both set to play crucial roles in the election.
Despite these financial challenges, polls continue to show a tight race between Biden and Trump. CNN’s latest Poll of Polls average finds no clear leader, with each candidate garnering an average of 47% support among the potential electorate.