January 31, 2020
Pro-Trump America First groups raise $50 million with $42 million on hand going into 2020
Pro-Trump outside groups America First Action and America First Policies combined to raise $50.4 million in 2019 giving the president a boost going into an election year.
President Donald Trump, whose campaign raised $46 million last quarter, will also be seeing an advantage from his flagship super PAC in 2020 with America First Action finishing 2019 raising just over $19 million, according to the groups’ spokeswoman. The nonprofit, America First Policies, which focuses on promoting many of the president’s policy accomplishments, brought in $31 million. The two organizations combined have $42 million on hand.
The spokeswoman, Kelly Sadler, also noted they have $48 million in outstanding donor pledges.
The success of these external organizations comes as Trump has been on trial for impeachment in the Senate and while he looks to move ahead with a variety of policy goals, including a “phase two” trade deal with China.
“America First Action is well-positioned to help the President deliver a crushing victory in 2020. All of our operating expenses have been covered for this year, so every penny we raise from this point out will be used to hammer our Democratic opponent and advance the President’s agenda. No other outside group is more ready and able to help the President win reelection,” America First Action’s chairwoman, Linda McMahon, said in a statement.
McMahon resigned as head of the Small Business Administration in March.
We have $48 million in outstanding donor pledges. Combining our year end fundraising, fundraising to date and total pledges, this places us at $106 million, well on our way to achieve our fundraising goal for the election year.
Some of the top donors to the PAC from July until the end of the year include UFC President Dana White, who gave $1 million, Richard DeVos, husband of Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, and venture capitalist Walter Buckley. Trump was met with boos when he attended a UFC match in November, however, White continues to be a staunch defender of the president.
More details on the super PAC’s activity will be revealed by the end of Friday’s filing deadline.