Republican former President Donald Trump's campaign and its affiliates announced on Thursday that they raised $138.7 million in July. This amount is less than what

Vice President Kamala Harris garnered during the opening week of her presidential campaign. Trump's campaign reported having $327 million in cash on hand as they head into August, with the election just over three months away. While Harris' campaign has not yet disclosed its total fundraising for July, it emphasized a surge in donations and volunteer support following her entry into the race.

Previously, Trump's campaign, the Republican National Committee, and associated entities raised $331 million over the three-month period ending in June, indicating a strong but slightly slower pace in July.

The campaign may have benefited from the rallying effect of an assassination attempt on Trump during a Pennsylvania rally on July 13, and his announcement of Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Some Democrats had been concerned about their chances in November following President Joe Biden's lackluster debate performance on June 27. However, Harris' campaign reported raising $200 million in the first week after Biden announced on July 21 that he would not seek re-election and endorsed Harris.

Since then, Harris has ramped up her travel and released a series of advertisements highlighting her personal story and critiquing Trump. This shift has rejuvenated optimism among Democrats, who now view the race between the 59-year-old Harris and Trump as more competitive.

Harris is set to become the Democratic Party's formal presidential nominee through virtual voting by delegates at the Democratic National Convention, concluding on Monday. She is expected to announce her running mate around the same time, with the Democratic convention opening in Chicago on August 19. Photo by Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia commons.