In the U.S., running for president is an endeavor that requires enormous funding, with figures far removed from European spending caps. With the campaign now in its final stages, data suggest that this will be the most expensive in history, with total spending estimated at between $11 billion and $14 billion. If the prediction proves accurate, this milestone would shatter the previous record of $15.1 billion reached during the 2020 election.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump: a race to the tune of billions
According to the most recent data compiled by Open Secret, the nonprofit organization that monitors campaign finance, leading candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have spent staggering amounts. Harris leads with nearly $1.5 billion raised and used, a figure that includes funds initially earmarked for outgoing President Joe Biden. Trump, for his part, has raised more than $1 billion, continuing his tradition of high-cost campaigns.
A comparison with the past
The current level of spending reflects an increasing trend in recent election cycles. In 2016, Donald Trump spent $430 million to get about 57 million votes, while his rival Hillary Clinton reached $760 million, almost double that. The 2020 election saw even higher figures, with Joe Biden raising 1.6 billion and Trump 1.1 billion. These figures place the Democratic Party at the top of the most expensive campaigns in history, with the record held by Biden himself in 2020.
The rise of election costs
In addition to the major candidates, the entire U.S. electoral machine involves outside funding, which contributes to escalating costs at an accelerating rate. Suffice it to say that compared to eight years ago, when the 2016 election “barely” exceeded $6.5 billion, the current figures represent more than double that. Spending continues to grow at a rate unthinkable for most European countries, where spending caps are much lower.
In Italy, for example, current Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spent about 118,000 euros on her 2022 campaign, a figure that highlights the gap between the two realities.
Conclusions
Millionaire election campaigns, fueled by unprecedented contributions, hint at a competition in which success is also measured in terms of funds raised and invested.
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