USA TODAY
As Kamala Harris appears poised to replace Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee, a past connection between herself and Donald Trump has garnered interest: the GOP nominee once donated to her re-election campaign while Harris was serving as California attorney general.
From 2011 to 2013, Trump gave $6,000 to Harris’s campaign. Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, also donated $2,000 to Harris in 2014.
The past disclosure began to circulate on social media as Harris announced her intention to “earn and win” the Democratic nomination.
Was a wise investment pic.twitter.com/S7C18nDFzA
— Jared Moskowitz (@JaredEMoskowitz) July 21, 2024
Trump: ‘I’ve given to everybody’
News about the donation first started to circulate in 2020, when Harris was running as Biden’s Vice President. USA TODAY’s Fact Check explored the claim then and rated it True, noting:
“Though Donald Trump has a history of derisive comments about Harris since taking office, political contribution data, reviewed by USA TODAY on the California Secretary of State website show he gave $5,000 to Harris during her first bid for attorney general in 2011 and $1,000 in 2013 during her reelection. Ivanka Trump contributed $2,000 in 2014 for Harris’ reelection campaign.”
In 2015, Harris redistributed the donations by giving the funds to a nonprofit focused on Central American civil rights.
“It’s interesting: I was looking at the ones I’m running against. I’ve contributed to most of them. Can you believe it?” Trump said while campaigning in 2016. “I’ve given to Democrats. I’ve given to Hillary. I’ve given to everybody! Because that was my job. I gotta give to them. Because when I want something, I get it. When I call, they kiss my (expletive).”
Donors hail Biden:Harris ‘jolt of adrenaline’ will energize Democratic base
The spotlight on these donations comes as President Joe Biden announced he was dropping out of the 2024 race and endorsing Harris. Biden’s exit followed a challenging debate performance that led to calls for him to step down, many within his own party.
The Democratic nominee to replace Biden will be decided during the Democratic National Convention, which takes place in Chicago from August 19 to August 22. Since Biden cannot appoint a replacement, his delegates will determine the nominee at the DNC.
