Former President Donald Trump’s campaign and the Republican Party recently raised an impressive $34.8 million in just six hours following his conviction on 34 felony counts in a “hush money” trial. This total represents nearly half of what they raised in the entire month of April, with the majority of the funds coming from small-dollar donors, including new contributors to WinRed, the GOP’s fundraising platform. Trump’s two best fundraising days before this recent surge were on key legal battle dates, such as his arraignment in April and the day after his mugshot was released in August. Fundraising has also increased significantly when Trump was indicted in various states and faced civil cases resulting in hefty financial penalties.
Following his conviction, Trump’s team spent over $94,900 on ads on Facebook and Instagram, more than double what they had spent in the week leading up to the trial’s conclusion. The ads portray Trump as a “political prisoner” and emphasize the idea that his conviction was a scam and a dark day in America. Trump himself criticized the trial as rigged and fraudulent during remarks at Trump Tower. The ads direct users to WinRed, which experienced technical difficulties and crashed minutes after the verdict was announced. Despite Democrats having more cash on hand, Trump’s influx of donations following his conviction could help him catch up in fundraising.
Trump’s post-conviction ads continue to push the narrative that he is the victim of a politically motivated effort by Democrats to weaken his campaign, echoing the rhetoric he used throughout the trial. He has called himself the victim of a political “witch hunt” multiple times and is urging supporters not to surrender, using his mugshot as a rallying point for donations. In response, the Biden campaign labeled Trump as unhinged and consumed by his own thirst for revenge and retribution. President Biden himself addressed the verdict for the first time, emphasizing the American principle that no one is above the law.
The influx of donations for Trump’s campaign and the Republican Party following his conviction in the “hush money” case has been substantial. The campaign’s fundraising efforts have seen significant spikes during crucial moments in Trump’s legal battles, indicating strong support from his base. Trump’s continued narrative portraying himself as a victim of political attacks and a rigged trial has resonated with his supporters, leading to increased donations and engagement on social media. As the campaign prepares to release their FEC reports next month, the full impact of this fundraising surge will become clearer. Trump’s ability to rally his base and attract new contributors despite legal challenges and negative publicity bodes well for his campaign’s financial future.
