The first presidential debate between former vice president Joe Biden and Donald Trump turned into a heated exchange between both candidates, with many slamming Trump for his behavior and remarks. Despite the chaotic televised event, the Biden campaign was able to achieve a new fundraising record.
Politico reports that the Biden campaign achieved a new fundraising record in a single hour as the debate took place. The campaign brought in almost $10 million in small-dollar donations in one hour. During the 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. hour, the campaign received $3.8 million in donations, and the overall duration of the debate, from 9 p.m. to midnight, the total amount was almost $10 million, coming from 215,000 donors. Within the 215,000 donors, 60,000 of them were new, while 100,000 registered to volunteer for the Biden campaign as well.
This record follows the previous fundraising records hauled in by the Biden campaign over the past few months, outraising Trump and his campaign by $141 million. Both campaigns, however, have yet to disclose their September fundraising records. Biden’s surge in finances is a big reversal from the early days of the primaries when Trump and the Republicans held a clear advantage over the former vice president and the Democrats in terms of onhand cash.
This is just one factor in the surge of donations, as the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg empowered Liberal Democrats to donate to help fund Democratic candidates up and down the ballot.
One of the highlights during the debate centered on white supremacist groups, who are recognized by the federal government as threats to national security and terrorist groups. Trump refused to condemn said demographic, while Biden has previously blasted them. The former vice president reiterated his condemnation of the white supremacist groups during his train tour in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Biden addressed the white supremacist groups as he spoke to reporters, saying to cease and desist.
“My message to the Proud Boys and every other white supremacist group is to cease and desist. That’s not who we are. This is not who we are as Americans,” said Biden.