Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party raised over $1 billion during her unsuccessful bid against Donald Trump, yet the vice president continues to solicit donations after the election, signaling financial challenges for the campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Democrats have intensified appeals to Harris supporters, avoiding direct mentions of potential campaign debts. Instead, the fundraising messages focus on opposing Trump's administration picks and unresolved congressional races. "The Harris campaign certainly spent more than they raised and is now busy trying to fundraise," said Adrian Hemond, a Democratic strategist. The campaign, he noted, has been seeking contributions from both small-dollar donors and high-value supporters. The campaign's financial strain is evident. Reports suggest many senior staff members stopped receiving pay as of Saturday, though they were promised health insurance coverage through the year's end. Vendors continue to send invoices for services rendered during the campaign, and outstanding receipts, including media costs for travel aboard Air Force Two, add to the uncertainty. Emails sent to supporters have rebranded the "Harris Victory Fund" as the "Harris Fight Fund." One appeal highlighted Trump's controversial selection of Matt Gaetz as attorney general, warning of the "weaponization" of the Justice Department and urging donations to counter the Republican agenda. Despite the emotive language, the fine print clarifies that most contributions are routed to the DNC rather than Harris directly. The DNC allocates the first $41,300 from individuals to its general fund, with smaller portions going to Harris' recount account and state Democratic parties, depending on the contribution size. DNC officials have not committed to covering any shortfall for Harris' campaign but have not ruled out shifting party funds to assist. The financial strain underscores the broader challenges facing Democrats as they prepare for the 2026 midterm elections and seek to counter the Trump administration's policies. — Agencies
