US President Donald Trump has said that he had spent more than $300 million on Republican campaign efforts, while the New York Times reported that former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was spending $80 million to help Democrats ahead of the November 3 midterm congressional elections.
The financial commitments on Tuesday come as Democrats seek to reclaim control of Congress, where 470 seats are up for grabs in the Republican-controlled chambers.
"I have spent, or will be spending, over 400 Million Dollars by Election Day. More than 300 Million Dollars has already been spent on Advertising, Direct and Indirect Voter Contact, Rallies, Rally Arenas, Telerallies, Get Out the Vote Programs, Election Integrity, and more," Trump said in a social media post.
Bloomberg's team told the New York Times that he was sending about $80 million to Democrats in September and October.
Bloomberg's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Times said at least $50 million of Bloomberg’s money was being used for House races, including $24 million for Everytown for Gun Safety, a group Bloomberg co-founded. He was also giving $16 million to House Majority PAC.
Rallies and promises
Trump addressed supporters in Kansas on Monday to kickoff a seven-state campaign blitz through territory he carried in 2024, as dismal polls and unexpectedly tight races in Republican strongholds stoke fears of sweeping Democratic gains in November's midterms amid Iran war and rise in energy prices.
Trump will follow Kansas with rallies in the Carolinas, Iowa, Florida, Georgia and Michigan. All seven states backed him in 2024, though his margins in Michigan, Georgia and North Carolina were narrow.
The schedule suggests the aim is less to win over undecided voters than to fire up loyal supporters, many of whom stay home when he is not on the ballot.
Trump said on Monday the US Department of Agriculture will launch what he called a new "harvest fuel relief programme" that will provide farmers with $8 billion in support to offset diesel costs during the harvest season.
The Republican Party currently has a narrow majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. However, Trump's approval rating has been low due to his handling of the high cost of living for Americans during the US-Israeli war on Iran that has raised fuel prices.
Trump has also separately proposed sending $5,000 checks to all adult citizens if Republicans keep control of the House and Senate in the midterms, though analysts, economists and even some Republicans in Congress have reacted with skepticism.
Earlier this month, Trump said the US government would send a one-time payment of $90 to more than 20 million Americans enrolled in Medicare, a health insurance programme for the elderly.
