Trump campaign, RNC raise staggering $125 million in third quarter

President Trump’s reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC) combined to raise $125 million in the third quarter, a massive haul that gives the president a head start in fundraising as Democrats move through a contested primary.

The two entities have surpassed the $100 million mark for two quarters in a row after raising $108 million in the second quarter.

Combined, the Trump campaign and the RNC said they have raised more than $308 million in 2019 and begin the month with more than $156 million in the bank.

“President Trump has built a juggernaut of a campaign, raising record amounts of money at a record pace,” said Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale. “With our great partnership with the RNC and Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, we will re-elect the President and win back the House of Representatives.”

The Trump campaign and the RNC are already dipping into the funds after House Democrats last week launched an impeachment inquiry over allegations that Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Both teams put around $10 million behind ads pushing back on the impeachment hearings and attacking Biden. The ads are running on national cable news outlets and on Facebook, Google, YouTube, Spotify, and Pandora in key districts.

The RNC is also building out its ground game and currently counts political, data, state and communications directors in 19 states. 

“Boycotts from Hollywood liberals and Democrats’ shameful attacks on private citizens, along with unprecedented support for our president, boosted the RNC to break fundraising records again this quarter,” said McDaniel.

“We are investing millions on the airwaves and on the ground to hold House Democrats accountable, highlight their obstruction, and take back the House and re-elect President Trump in 2020,” added the RNC chairwoman.

The combined haul reported by Trump’s team and the RNC is far bigger than the amounts raised by individual Democratic presidential contenders who have announced their third-quarter fundraising so far.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said earlier on Tuesday he had raised $25.3 million in the third quarter, bringing his year-to-date total to $61.5 million, while Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said she had raised $11.6 million, in line with each of her previous two quarters.

Meanwhile, South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg raised $19.1 million in the previous three months.

Biden and top contender Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have yet to announce their third-quarter numbers.

Campaigns have until Oct. 15 to file their fundraising and spending reports with the Federal Election Commission.