The 2024 elections in the USA have become the most expensive in history, with total spending reaching $15.9 billion.
According to OpenSecrets, this expenditure significantly surpassed the previous record of $15.1 billion set during the 2020 elections and was nearly double the $6.5 billion spent in the 2016 elections.
The Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris was particularly successful in fundraising, attracting $1 billion in direct donations, 40% of which came from small contributions by individuals. Additionally, lobbying groups contributed $586 million in support of her campaign. Her opponent, Donald Trump, received $382 million in donations, with 28% being small contributions. Republican lobbying groups provided his campaign with $694 million.
This year's elections also saw a record level of external funding from "dark" groups and organizations that do not disclose their donors. The total amount of such anonymous contributions reached $4.5 billion, significantly exceeding previous years' figures. For instance, in 2022, these funds amounted to $617 million, and in 2016, only $71.7 million.
Many of these funds were invested in campaign advertising, particularly in "swing" states where the competition between candidates is the most intense. According to AdImpact, a total of $10.5 billion was spent on presidential advertising. In Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia, spending was $264 million, $151 million, and $137 million, respectively.
Parties spent $419 million on digital advertising. The Democratic Party campaign allocated $132.4 million to Facebook and Instagram, while Republicans spent $24.7 million on these platforms. On the X platform, owned by Elon Musk, a Trump supporter, the Republican Party spent $1.1 million, compared to $150,000 by the Democrats.
Source: opensecrets.