Donald Trump has largely foot the bill for his White House bid in the Republican primary, and should he land the GOP’s nomination, despite what you’ve read, he might be able to pull off the same in the general election.
On the campaign trail, the real estate magnate has often boasted that he is self-funding his run, which is, more or less, true. His campaign has brought in $25.5 million as of January 31, 2016, $17.5 million of which came from a loan from Trump himself, according to data from OpenSecrets.
He has also managed to run a rather frugal campaign, spending just $23.9 million and largely eschewing the help of outside groups like Super PACs that have paid for much campaigning for many of his rivals thus far. (Though, about $1.8 million in external funds have been spent on Trump so far. For comparison, Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton’s campaign and outside groups have spent a combined $110.9 million, and fellow GOP contender Ted Cruz’s camp and others a combined $62.3 million.)
Trump can certainly decide to run a campaign in the general election that is similarly frugal to the one he’s orchestrated in the primaries, but cutting corners may be complicated.
“I’m very skeptical that he could run a winning frugal campaign,” said Travis Ridout, professor of government and public policy and graduate studies director at Washington State University, adding that the hotly-contested fight for the GOP nomination that will likely last until the party’s convention in July may not help. “He is in many ways going to be entering the general election somewhat a battered candidate.”
In the event that Trump decides he does want to accept outside help funding his campaign, he will have access to numerous avenues to get it — the Republican Party, donors and even super PACs (some pro-Trump PACs are already forming, even though he says he doesn’t want them). But will they be willing to shell out? Some have their doubts.
“We’ll see how much appetite there is among billionaires to try to get Donald Trump elected,” said Ridout, adding that some of the wealthiest donors may prefer to hold onto their cash or direct it toward securing seats in the Senate and the House.