President Donald Trump’s supporters really want him to be reelected come 2020. So far, the President has raised over $100 million dollars for his reelection campaign. In the recent July-September fundraising quarter alone, the President was able to raise a whopping $18 million. As 2020 approaches, don’t be surprised if his fundraising picks up. In total, Trump has hauled in just over $106 million, leaving plenty for his war-chest, and the election season is still more than a year off.
When Trump was sworn in in January 2016, he immediately filed for reelection, an odd but sensible move. Not only did filing allow him to get a head start on fundraising, but it also demonstrated his intent to seek reelection. Many speculated that he’d choose to be a one-term President.
Regardless, the vast majority of Presidents wait before filing. Obama, for example, didn’t file until his third year. But Trump wanted to get a jump on fundraising, and so far it appears to be paying off. Small contributions of less than $200 have been an especially bright spot for the President, with 98 percent of funds raised thus far coming from small donors.
President Trump’s daughter-in-law, Laura, wrote in a statement: “After twenty months in office with unparalleled results for peace and prosperity in America, President Trump has provided the results he promised. And grassroots America has responded to these remarkable results and the booming Trump economy with their generous support of our campaign.”
According to the Campaign Finance Institute, no President since at least Ronald Reagan has managed to raise so much so early on in their administration. While some have fretted over the possibility of a capable Republican primary challenger, Trump’s massive war-chest and strong support among his base will make him very difficult to unseat.
The funds should also give Trump a massive and potentially decisive advantage given how crowded the Democratic field is. No Democrat has emerged as a clear front-runner, with most polls suggesting fractured support among several top challengers, including former Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Senator Cory Booker so far leading the pack. Biden is the current front-runner, but some doubt his age. He’s 75 years old.
Most potential candidates, including Biden, have remained mum on their intentions. Elizabeth Warren has come on record, stating that she is planning to seek the White House in 2020. Former Maryland Congressman John Delaney joined Trump in making an unusually earlier 2020 bid, announcing his candidacy in July 2017. Most, however, view him as a longshot. With Trump racing ahead in regards to fundraising, don’t be surprised if Democratic candidates also move up their timeline.
Trump’s Approval Rating Climbs, More Americans Believe He’ll Win 2020
Meanwhile, President Trump has struggled with tepid approval ratings, but things are improving on that front as well. According to Gallup, Trump has averaged an approval rating of just 39 percent throughout his administration. As of mid-October, however, his approval rating had risen to 44 percent.
A CNN poll has also found that more Americans believe Trump will win reelection. This past March, just 40 percent of Americans believed Trump would be reelected, while 54 percent believed he’d lose. Now, 46 percent believe he’ll win while 47 percent say he won’t. These numbers are roughly in line with the odds given to President Obama at the same point during his first administration. President Obama went on to handily win his reelection campaign.
