Biden and the Democrats raise $264 million in 2nd quarter

In a strong showing for President Joe Biden's reelection campaign, it was announced that they raised a total of $264 million in the second quarter of the year. This figure includes $127 million collected in June alone, with a significant portion coming in the aftermath of a debate where Biden appeared raspy and gave convoluted answers. Despite concerns among some Democrats about Biden's performance and viability, his campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, emphasized the growing support behind the president, with $240 million in cash on hand. The fundraising numbers for Biden's campaign outpaced those of former President Donald Trump, who is set to accept the Republican presidential nomination this month. Trump's campaign announced a robust $331 million for the second quarter, surpassing Biden's total for the three-month period. However, Biden's campaign highlighted that their $127 million haul in June edged out Trump's $111.8 million for the month. The Biden campaign's grassroots strength was underscored by the fact that 95% of second-quarter donations were under $200, with over 1.5 million donors making 2.8 million contributions. Despite the fundraising success, Biden's campaign continues to face scrutiny and anxiety from some Democrats following the debate performance. Campaign officials have denied any discussions of Biden exiting the race or making staff shakeups. The campaign has been working to reassure donors and voters, with over 1,500 events staged across battleground states in the aftermath of the debate. DNC Chair Jaime Harrison emphasized the importance of grassroots support in determining the outcome of the election, as Biden's team remains focused on mobilizing their base and countering negative media coverage. As the presidential race intensifies, both Biden and Trump are ramping up their fundraising efforts and campaign activities. Biden's recent fundraising success, buoyed by a record-breaking June fundraiser in Los Angeles, reflects a growing base of supporters rallying behind the president. With the election looming, the financial resources and grassroots enthusiasm demonstrated by both campaigns will play a crucial role in shaping the course of the historic election ahead.