Vehicles drive past an electronic billboard showing a campaign ad supporting US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz as dawn breaks on Election Day in Northampton County, Pennsylvania on November 5, 2024. Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON — The 2024 US election, which went to the polls on Tuesday, is set to become the most expensive in history, with total contributions reaching $15.9 billion.

The spending, which includes congressional contests, will surpass the $15.1 billion spent in 2020 and more than double 2016’s $6.5 billion, according to nonprofit OpenSecrets.

Article continues after this advertisement

In the hotly contested presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as the fundraising leader.

FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION How the US elections will impact the Philippines GLOBALNATION Harris or Trump: America decides in knife-edge election GLOBALNATION Urgent call to Senators: Pass the 11 pending bills to protect Philippine biodiversity

LIVE UPDATES: 2024 US presidential election

Her campaign directly raised over $1 billion, with 40 percent coming from small donors, plus an additional $586 million from supporting political action committees.

Article continues after this advertisement

Donald Trump’s campaign raised $382 million directly, with 28 percent from small donors, while affiliated committees contributed $694 million.

Article continues after this advertisement

The largest donor was Timothy Mellon, the reclusive 82-year-old banking heir who contributed $197 million to Trump and Republican causes.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Elon Musk commits $70 million to boost Donald Trump

Other major Republican supporters included Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein from the packaging industry, casino magnate Miriam Adelson, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, and hedge fund investor Kenneth Griffin — each contributing over $100 million to Trump and Republican causes.

Article continues after this advertisement

On the Democratic side, Michael Bloomberg has emerged as the leading donor, contributing about $93 million ($43 million initially, plus a reported additional $50 million).

George Soros provided $56 million through his political action committee.

Altogether, $10.5 billion has been spent on campaign ads for races from president down to local officials, according to data compiled by the ad tracking firm AdImpact.

The Harris and Trump presidential campaigns spent $2.6 billion on ads from March through November 1. Democrats spent $1.6 billion, while Republicans invested $993 million.

Themes hammered home in Harris ads have been taxation, abortion rights, the economy and healthcare. Trump ads have mainly underlined immigration, inflation, crime, taxation, as well as the economy.

Pennsylvania led swing state spending for the presidential contest at $264 million, followed by Michigan at $151 million and Georgia at $137 million.

Overall, Pennsylvania saw an eye watering $1.2 billion on all races, all the way down to local officials, in the cycle.

Despite the shift to online entertainment, digital platforms received $419 million in presidential advertising, representing only 17 percent of total spending.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

On Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram, Democrats outspent Republicans $132.4 million to $24.7 million, while on X, Republicans led spending $1.1 million to Democrats’ $150,000para manalo, AdImpact said.

READ NEXT US polls generally smooth, voting marked by huge early turnout... Harris or Trump? Millions vote in tense, tight US election EDITORS' PICK 2025 BARMM parliamentary polls must push through, says poll watchdog Two Fil-Ams poised to make history in California legislature How the US elections will impact the Philippines Typhoon Marce expected to intensify before landfall Thursday ⁠NBI warns public vs fake vitamins after Pampanga raid PAOCC official axed after viral video shows him slapping Pogo worker MOST READ Chinese ships seen again at Philippine Rise Pagasa releases 11 pm update on Typhoon Marce SC fines Antipolo judge for delaying to resolve a case LIVE UPDATES: Typhoon Marce Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments

• record
• para manalo
• High
• billion
• 15.9