Trump's Indictment Energizes Fundraising Efforts, Nikki Haley's Campaign Faces Financial Discrepancy

Former President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign has raised $14.4 million in the first quarter of 2023, a relatively modest sum that captured only the beginning of a fundraising frenzy set off by his indictment in March. However, the campaign reported that it raised more than $15 million in the weeks following the indictment, including at least $4 million in the 24 hours after The Times reported his indictment on March 30.

Despite sluggish fundraising efforts at the beginning, Mr. Trump managed to draw more than 300,000 individual donations, with a vast majority of them being under $200. However, his fundraising efforts received a jolt of energy from his supporters after his indictment, which they saw as politically motivated.

Mr. Trump’s fundraising was primarily through his Save America Joint Fundraising Committee, which transferred $14 million to the campaign in the first quarter. The total raised by the two committees was $18.8 million, with the campaign reporting $13.9 million cash on hand as of March 31.

The overlapping patchwork of committees that has become standard for presidential candidates can at times cloud a campaign’s financial picture. This was evident with the presidential campaign of Nikki Haley, which had said it raised $11 million in the first six weeks of her presidential run. However, after three committees tied to her campaign filed their disclosures, it appeared that number may have double-counted funds transferred between them.

In conclusion, while Mr. Trump's fundraising efforts have picked up momentum after his indictment, a more comprehensive account of his post-indictment fundraising is still forthcoming, and the overlapping patchwork of committees makes it challenging to determine the exact financial picture of a campaign.