WASHINGTON, Oct 20 (Reuters) – US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he would spend more than $400 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 come as Democrats seek to win control of Congress from Trump’s Republicans in the November 3 midterm elections.
“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.
Trump’s super PAC, MAGA Inc., and an affiliated group, No Going Back PAC, have spent at least $226 million on the elections so far, campaign filings show.
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 New York 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, the main super PAC aligned with House Democratic leadership.
Reuters has not independently verified the spending by Bloomberg.
(Reporting by Bhargav Acharya in Toronto and Jasper Ward and Andy Sullivan in Washington; Editing by Doina Chiacu, Michelle Nichols, David Ljunggren, Chizu Nomiyama )
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