(Photo : Trump vs Harris)
Trump vs Harris

• The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sees a fierce battle between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
• Harris' fundraising efforts have surpassed Trump's, with her collections nearing the billion-dollar mark.
• Despite trailing in fundraising, Trump has received significant support from billionaires Elon Musk and Timothy Mellon.
• The election has seen record levels of fundraising and voter turnout, with security measures enhanced and a surge in celebrity endorsements.

As the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election draws to a close, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have been locked in a fierce battle for the White House. The two candidates have been crisscrossing the seven battleground states, delivering their closing remarks to the American voters. More than 78 million Americans had already cast their ballots by Monday morning, on the eve of Election Day, reflecting the high stakes and intense interest in this election.

The fundraising efforts of both candidates have been a significant aspect of this election. Collectively, Harris and Trump have raised $154 million in the seven biggest battleground states. Harris' fundraising has far surpassed Trump's overall, but the ex-President is within striking distance of her cash haul in a few closely watched states. From the moment Harris ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket, she has been outraising Trump.

In July, the first month on the ticket, the Harris campaign raised a record $310 million, more than twice Trump's takings that month. This was the best month of grassroots fundraising in the history of presidential elections.

The Battle of Fundraising and Endorsements

The Harris campaign's fundraising is close to the billion-dollar mark, according to the Federal Election Commission, which monitors election finance in the U.S. Her collections stand at $997,950,787.25, nearly three times Trump's $391,949,664.42. In several battleground states, Harris has outraised Trump, sometimes by nearly two-to-one. However, Nevada is the one state where Trump leads Harris in fundraising.

Despite trailing in fundraising, Trump has received significant support from Elon Musk, the world's richest man, who has poured millions into a political action committee called America PAC to support Trump and other Republicans. Musk has contributed $130 million to the PAC. However, the largest donor to Trump's cause is billionaire Timothy Mellon, who has contributed $150 million to a political action committee supporting the Trump campaign.

The candidates offer starkly different visions for the country, with much at stake - from economic issues and reproductive rights to the strength of the country's global alliances and existential questions about the future of American democracy and the planet. Harris has argued that the country's Constitution is under threat by Trump's tendencies and disregard for the rule of law.

Security Measures and Celebrity Endorsements

In the final days of the campaign, both candidates have been focusing on their plans in speeches, campaign ads, and media interviews. Most of these plans amount to a wish list, sketched out in broad strokes and lacking concrete details about how they would be implemented or paid for. Several of Trump's proposals raise legal questions, while some of Harris's would probably require Democratic control of Congress.

As the election draws closer, security measures have been enhanced in anticipation of potential unrest. Structural reinforcements like bulletproof glass and steel doors have been installed in hundreds of offices. Some have increased security details and restricted social media access to protect workers' privacy. New laws and stricter enforcement against harassment have been enacted to address growing hostility.

The election has also seen a surge in celebrity endorsements. Singer Katy Perry performed at a Harris rally in Pittsburgh, stating that her daughter is the reason she is voting for Harris. Podcaster Joe Rogan endorsed Trump, agreeing with Elon Musk's compelling case for Trump.

The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election has been a fiercely contested battle between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The election has seen record levels of fundraising and voter turnout, reflecting the high stakes and intense interest in the outcome. As the election draws to a close, the American people await the result with bated breath, in what could potentially be one of the most consequential elections in recent history.