They have over $20 million in debt.
Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign concluded with more than $20 million in debt, a situation that has come to light amid reflection on the results of the 2024 election. According to a report by Politico’s Christopher Cadelago, the campaign raised over $1 billion, but faced significant financial challenges, ending with a substantial deficit. As of October 16, the campaign had $118 million in its coffers, yet still struggled financially.
A deeper look into the campaign’s financial issues was provided by Matthew Boyle of Breitbart News. Boyle reported that a campaign staffer revealed how Harris’ campaign manager, Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, mismanaged funds. The staffer claimed that O’Malley Dillon spent a significant portion of the campaign’s funds on expensive musical events featuring high-profile celebrities like Katy Perry, Lizzo, and Bruce Springsteen, which were designed to generate enthusiasm for the vice president. However, the staffer argued that this focus on entertainment came at the expense of essential campaign priorities, such as social media engagement and other critical outreach efforts.
In addition to the financial concerns, Boyle reported that several campaign workers were still awaiting overdue payments for their services. Rob Flaherty, the deputy campaign manager, was reportedly working to raise funds through emails to supporters in order to settle the campaign’s debts. The staffer further criticized O’Malley Dillon’s leadership, describing her as an ineffective and overly controlling figure who, according to the staffer, hindered Harris’ ability to lead her own campaign.
The internal friction within Harris’ campaign was magnified by the unusual circumstances surrounding the 2024 race. Despite being the sitting vice president, Harris became the Democratic nominee without participating in the primary process, following President Biden’s decision to step aside after a lackluster performance in the debates. Harris ultimately became the Democratic candidate after Biden’s endorsement.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, who faced off against Harris in the general election, mocked the Democrats’ financial struggles on social media. He expressed surprise that despite raising significant funds during the 2020 election, the Democratic Party was now struggling financially and facing pressures from vendors. Trump offered assistance, humorously pointing out that his campaign had ample funds due to its success in gaining free media coverage.
