Dave Levinthal, Editor-in-Chief

Dave leads Raw Story's newsroom as editor-in-chief and oversees its investigations and enterprise reporting.

Based in Washington, D.C., Dave previously worked as deputy editor and senior Washington correspondent for Insider. Dave has also worked as an editor or reporter at the Center for Public Integrity, Politico, OpenSecrets, the Dallas Morning News and the Eagle-Tribune.

Read Dave Levinthal's full bio.

Why 'Kamala' and 'Harris' could become hot new baby names

Don't be shocked if you encounter a baby "Kamala" or little "Harris" next year.

Or two.

Or 200.

For Kamala Harris — who could become the first female president who's also Black and South Asian if she beats Donald Trump in November — the historical significance of her election is likely to manifest itself in maternity wards across the nation.

That's because spikes in baby name popularity among frequently correlate with the arrival of a new president and first lady, according to a Raw Story analysis of Social Security Administration birth name data going back 75 years.

With Harris having accepted the Democratic presidential nomination, here's what Raw Story found about the effect various White House occupants and their immediate family members have on American baby name trends:

Barack Obama

Through 2007, the name "Obama" as a first name did not appear in the Social Security Administration's baby name data at all. (The Social Security Administration does not provide data on baby names with fewer than five occurrences to "safeguard privacy.")

But in 2008, the year Democrat Barack Obama won the White House, 14 baby boys received the first name "Obama."

In 2009, 16 baby boys did, Social Security Administration data indicates.

Similarly, there were only five baby boys named "Barack" during 2007. By 2008, there were 52 baby boys named "Barack." In 2009: 71, putting it exactly on par with other somewhat uncommon, but not too uncommon boy names that year, including Caine, Demitri, Jadin, Pavel and Tracy.

The "Barack" mini-spike didn't last long, however, and by last year, only eight American-born baby Baracks came into the world.

Hillary Clinton

"Hillary" as a baby name has had a most turbulent history — not unlike one of the most notable Hillarys on Earth, Hillary Clinton.

A relatively uncommon name until the 1970s, "Hillary" the baby name peaked in wattage during 1992 — the same year Bill Clinton won the White House and Hillary Clinton became first lady-in-waiting — as the nation's 132nd most popular baby name that year with more than 2,500 little Hillarys.

But Americans soured on "Hillary" soon thereafter. By 1998, it had fallen out of the Top 800 in baby name popularity. By 2007, it sat in 961st place.

Then a funny thing happened: In 2008 — the same year Hillary Clinton first ran for president and delivered her notable "glass ceiling" concession speech — "Hillary" jumped 239 spots to 722nd place.

Never again after 2008 did "Hillary" find its way into the Top 1,000 baby names again, with year-over-year declines that have pushed it to the edge of baby name extinction. Just 71 baby Hillarys were born in 2023.

The only year since 2008 when the Hillary decline reversed? You guessed it: 2016, when Clinton again ran for the presidency, only to lose to Trump. That year, there were 172 baby Hillarys, up from 138 in 2015.

By 2017, there would only be 63, according to Social Security Administration data.

Donald Trump

From 1920 to 1960, the name "Donald" was a perennial Top 20 boys name. It remained in the Top 100 each year until 1990.

But its popularity rank declined or stayed the same every year after that — until 2017, the year Donald Trump became president of the United States.

It's wasn't much — "Donald" as a baby name ticked up from 489th place in 2016 to 486th place in 2017 — and the name continued to slip in popularity through 2020, when it languished in 609th place as Trump lost his reelection bid.

However, in 2021 — the year Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in his name and the U.S. Senate acquitted Trump in his second impeachment trial — "Donald" jumped back up to the 596th most popular name.

After declining again in 2022 (679th place), it staged another mild comeback and ended 2023 — the year Trump's latest presidential campaign hit stride — in 657th place.

Melania Trump

The first lady from 2017 to 2021, Melania Trump arguably affected baby name trends more than her husband.

Consider that in 2014, only 78 baby girls received the name "Melania."

Melania Trump holding baby Barron Trump Melania Trump holds baby Barron Trump in 2007. (Photo by Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage)

But in 2015, the year Trump announced his first presidential bid, that number increased to 92. This kicked off a several-year run of modest popularity for "Melania" that peaked the year Trump took office: 2016 (131 Melanias), 2017 (283), 2018 (233), 2019 (210), 2020 (182) and 2021 (154).

Since Trump left the White House in 2021, the popularity of "Melania" has continued to wane, with only 113 baby Melanias in 2023 — the fewest since 2015.

Ivanka Trump

Donald Trump's elder daughter has a similar baby name story — there were only 42 newborn Ivankas in 2014 and 37 in 2015.

But by 2016, there were 113. In 2017, when Donald Trump became president and Ivanka Trump became one of his White House advisers, there were 165 baby Ivankas.

Since then, "Ivanka" as a baby name has only again cracked triple digits once — in 2020 — and has faded to 52 instances by 2023, according to Social Security Administration data.

Joe Biden

"Joseph" has been one of the most common names in the United States for much of the nation's history, never once outside the Top 30 in any year dating to the 19th century. Therefore, a president with that name isn't likely to move the baby name popularity needle too much.

In fact, Social Security Administration data indicates that the baby name "Joseph" hit a modern popularity low — relatively speaking — during Joe Biden's first three years in office, where it finished in 28th place in 2021, 30th place in 2022 and 29th place in 2023.

"Joe" as a given baby name also declined to its lowest recorded modern level, as well — 908th place in 2023, after ranking within the Top 100 as recently as 1970, just before Biden became a U.S. senator from Delaware.

One consolation prize for the current president: Social Security Administration data had never publicly recorded "Biden" being used as a given name — until 2021, when 11 baby boys received the name "Biden" in the year Joe Biden became president.

The baby name party wouldn't last, though, as no little boys named "Biden" appear in the data for 2022 or 2023.

Other notable trends

The popularity of the baby name "Dwight" had twin peaks — one in 1945 (126th place) as Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower heralded victory in World War II, and another in 1952 and 1953 (123rd place and 122nd place, respectively) during the early years of Eisenhower's presidential administration. In no other years has the name been so popular.
The baby name "Jacqueline" never entered the Top 50 most popular until 1961, the year John F. Kennedy became president and Jacqueline Kennedy became first lady. That year, the name's popularity peaked in 37th place, a spot it tied in 1964, the year after John F. Kennedy was assassinated. By 2004, it exited the Top 100, and in 2023, it had dropped to a 110-year low of 539th place.
"Michelle" as a baby name has been on a slow, five-decade-long march downward after peaking in 1972 in 2nd place. Two years of popularity stability came in 2008 (101st place) and 2009 (104th place), when Michelle Obama sprung onto the national scene. Since then, "Michelle" has slid unabated to a 80-year low in 2023 of 401th place, ranking it alongside the likes of girl baby names "Xiomara," "Helen," "Maryam" and "Frances."

What about Harris?

Few American babies have ever been named "Kamala" — from a Sanskrit word meaning "lotus."

But there were 25 U.S. babies named "Kamala" in 2021, the year Harris took office as vice president. That's the most American baby Kamalas since the late 1970s, according to Social Security Administration data.

Lots of people, including Donald Trump, continue to pronounce Harris' first name incorrectly — it's pronounced "COMMA-la," not "kuh-MA-LA" or "kah-MAL-uh. Democrats turned this into a Trump-tweaking comedy bit at the Democratic National Convention, with Harris' two young grandnieces joining actress Kerry Washington for a pronunciation session with audience participation.

"Harris" as a first name for boys enjoyed some measure of popularity during the first half of the 20th century. It then fell out of favor and crashed out of the Top 1,000 most popular boy baby names for the first time last century in 1969.

After some fits and starts in and out of the Top 1,000 during the 1970s and 1980s, "Harris" was gone for good after that, save for two years — 2016, when voters elected Kamala Harris to the U.S. Senate, and 2020, when voters elected her vice president.

Taylor A. Humphrey, a professional baby name consultant who runs What's in a Baby Name — yes, such services exist — is skeptical that "Kamala" will see a massive spike in popularity if Kamala Harris wins the presidency, despite the historic nature of such a victory.

She likened "Kamala" to other mononyms such as "Oprah," "Beyoncé" and "Madonna," none of which have ever rivaled the popularity of, say, the Jessica/Ashley/Jennifer set of the 1980s, or the Emma/Olivia/Sophia lot of the 2010s.

ALSO READ: 21 worthless knick-knacks Donald Trump will give you for your cash

Humphrey noted that immediately before the Oprah Winfrey Show began, fewer than five girls were given the name in the United States. A year after the show first aired, in 1987, 37 girls were given the name Oprah — exponentially more, but still just a tiny fraction of the roughly 1.8 million girls born that year.

"These names are iconic, and thus, often feel too evocative of one person's singular greatness," Humphrey said. "It can be difficult for parents to see how their own children will grow into these names when they're so powerfully aligned with one person.

Humphrey is more bullish on "Harris," noting that there's a long-term trend toward parents using the surnames of presidents as first names.

She points to girl names such as "Taylor," "Madison," "Reagan," "Kennedy" and "Monroe," and boys names such as "Lincoln," "Jackson," "Ford," "Grant," "Carter," "Harrison" and "Tyler."

Even "Nixon" began a run in the Top 1,000 starting in 2011, and it hasn't left yet.

"Presidential surnames exude elegance, gravitas, and prestige," Humphrey said.

One name for which she's rooting to enter the Top 1,000 some day: "Robinette" Biden's "unique, nature-inspired" middle name, which is also his paternal grandmother's maiden name.

In 2023, Robinette did not register a blip in Social Security Administration data, meaning that "Kamala" or "Harris" may still have a better shot at baby name ascendance — at least for now.

This article was originally published on Aug. 14, 2024, and updated to include new developments.

Inside the Democratic National Convention corporate interest moneyfest

CHICAGO — In ballrooms, barrooms and backrooms this week, the business of big business is getting done with Democrats out of public view.

Yes, Bernie Sanders on Tuesday railed before Democratic National Convention delegates about how “millionaires and billionaires” should “not be able to buy elections.” And sure, curtailing “the corrupting influence of money in politics” is a plank in the 2024 Democratic Party platform.

But most Democrats in Chicago are ignoring the socialist senator and stepping over and around that party plank while pursuing cash that corporations and moneyed special interests are all too keen to contribute.

Foremost, there are those who are asking for money.

Take the California Democratic Party, the home state party committee of 2024 presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

For $250,000, a corporation, union, trade association or individual can this week claim a “California gold” sponsorship that entitles the giver to a bevy of benefits, according to a brochure obtained by Raw Story.

Among the perks: membership on the party’s finance committee, "private VIP receptions," eligibility for “special” convention credentials, “priority” lodging and the “opportunity to include items in California delegates' tote bags." One's corporate or organization logo will be “displayed at the California Bash” — a tony party on Aug. 21 at the House of Blues Chicago — and “all four California Delegate breakfasts.”

The Texas Democratic Party similarly offers a $50,000 “Longhorn” package.

In part, it buys a taker “recognition as a title sponsor at our delegation breakfasts & Texas reception,” “one suite in our room block (4 nights)” and “4 guest passes for all Texas delegation breakfasts” and “2 VIP passes to the States Party with access to the Foundation Lounge,” according to a party document appropriately titled “sponsorship opportunities for the 2024 Texas Delegation.”

The Maryland Democratic Party features a $75,000 “Chairman’s Sponsor” package.

For that price, you’ll get “recognition in the Maryland Delegation Hotel and at all 14 Maryland Celebration events” along with a host of other items and honorifics.

And the National Democratic Institute, a nonprofit organization led by former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), is promoting its “exclusive landmark event space” to “network with global political leaders” and “400 high-level guests” to “build relationships as they address pressing challenges to democracy,” according to an invitation obtained by Raw Story.

Sponsorships of the National Democratic Institute’s week of Democratic National Convention-themed events in Chicago begin at $10,000 and top out at $250,000 — with a top-tier sponsorship landing the “presenting sponsor” a veritable public relations campaign, ranging from “inclusion of corporate materials at events and in registration packets” to an “invitation to meet Senator Tom Daschle and other high-level leaders.”

Sponsors from past Democratic National Conventions include Facebook, Visa, AT&T, oil company Chevron and pharmaceutical company Amgen, according to the invitation.

Raw Story reviews of more than 20 other convention-themed invitations from political committees, political consulting firms, state delegations and politically focused nonprofits yielded similar offers.

Sunlight dims

Democrats don’t want to talk about this lesser-known side of their national convention, where all manner of special interests have a standing invitation to shmooze with party brass and tour the party’s inner sanctum — for a price.

Officials for the California, Texas and Maryland Democratic committees did not respond to multiple emails and phone calls from Raw Story. Nor did officials from the Democratic National Committee.

Why such secrecy?

Accepting big money is inconvenient for Democrats, who have rhetorically railed against the era of unlimited election spending by corporate, union and certain nonprofit interests, which the Supreme Court’s 2010 decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission animated.

But just as it does for Republicans, big money keeps Democratic committees competitive in the age of permanent political campaigns. It fuels politicians’ ambitions and helps keep them in power.

Where exactly this Democratic National Convention-adjacent money goes after everyone leaves Chicago often depends on the individual campaign finance laws of each state. It might end up in a federal, or state or ballot measure account. Maybe all of the above. Or somewhere else entirely.

Some of this money will be publicly disclosed, eventually, just as the Democratic National Convention and its host committee must disclose its funders, eventually.

However, some of the money — particularly if it comes from a politically active nonprofit group that may legally avoid disclosing its own funding sources — will remain unknown to average Americans, just beyond the “dark money” realm’s event horizon.

Since the high court’s seminal decision, Democratic leaders have often argued that they cannot “unilaterally disarm” and simply let Republicans bludgeon them with fat stacks of corporate cash. So they’d play the game in hopes of ending the game.

Advocates for good government are decidedly unimpressed at what they consider pay-to-play political ickiness.

"Sponsorship and events funded by corporate interests during both major political party conventions is yet another way that industry is able to peddle influence and overshadow the voices of real people,” said Donald K. Sherman, executive director and chief counsel of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

“Until Congress actually attempts to do something about this, the conventions will remain the same,” said Jessica Tillipman, associate dean for government procurement law at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. “I don't see either party willing to step up and take measures to reduce influence peddling if they are not required to do so.

The givers

At most, Democrats’ approach to political money is of academic concern to the givers who, for a relative pittance, snag something far more precious than their five- or six-figure contribution: access.

Proximity to power, while never a panacea, is nevertheless a ticket to emails answered, phone calls returned, meetings scheduled and honored. It’s a tool for favorable regulations and prod for advantageous legislation. In a pinch, it’s a weapon against naysayers.

Invest a little now, get a lot later. Make friends, influence people, plan for a rainy day when the government seems more against you than with you.

Raw Story contacted more than 40 corporations and trade associations that, according to federal data compiled by nonpartisan research organization OpenSecrets, spent at least $1 million on federal-level lobbying efforts last year or are on pace to do so this year,

The vast majority of them did not respond to multiple requests for comment on whether they, in any form or fashion, supported the 2024 Republican or Democratic national conventions, or sponsored any political committee, state delegation or policy organization participating in convention festivities.

Chicagoland-based corporate giants McDonald’s Corporation and Allstate Insurance Company had nothing to say. Nor did Microsoft, Boeing, Pfizer, Apple, Comcast, Visa, Verizon, CVS, UPS, FedEx, Honeywell, The Walt Disney Company, Salesforce, TikTok, defense contractor RTX and Facebook parent Meta.

ExxonMobil co-sponsored a Democratic National Convention side event staged by Punchbowl News — one disrupted by climate activists. (The oil giant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.)

“We don’t have any comment,” said Megan Ketterer, a spokesperson for AT&T, whose logo could be found on kiosks, credential lanyards and signage in and around the Democratic National Convention.

ALSO READ: ‘Absolutely essential’: Son of Oath Keeper Stewart Rhodes is all in for Kamala Harris

Lockheed Martin responded to a Raw Story inquiry that included several detailed questions about the defense contractor’s participation in the 2024 convention.

Sort of.

A company spokesman, who declined to be named, first had questions for Raw Story: How many companies and special interest groups did Raw Story contact? Which ones? Did they respond?

In the end, Lockheed declined to answer most of Raw Story’s questions and emailed a statement: “We plan to attend both the Democratic and Republican conventions as part of our long-standing approach of non-partisan political engagement in support of our business interests.”

Raw Story persisted: “Are you able to offer any specifics on how you plan to support your business interests at the conventions? How much money does Lockheed Martin plan to spend between the two 2024 national party conventions?”

“We don’t have anything else to share,” the spokesman replied.

Chicago-based United Airlines — namesake of the United Center, where the Democratic National Convention is being conducted — said in a statement that the company “supported both the Milwaukee and Chicago Host committees” and increased the number of flights between Washington, D.C., and the two 2024 national convention cities.

Asked for additional details, United demurred: “We won’t have any further information to share.”

Similarly, a Google spokesperson, who declined to be named, noted that the company did not donate to either the Democratic or Republican convention committee, but helped “both the Republican and Democratic committees livestream their conventions on YouTube – like we have in previous elections.”

The Google spokesperson declined to comment on support Google did or did not offer state delegations, political committees and the like in conjunction with the Democratic or Republican national conventions.

A Walmart spokesperson said the company didn’t donate to either the Democratic or Republican convention funds but declined to comment further.

Some of the nation’s top lobbying forces were a bit more forthcoming.

“GM will sponsor the Democratic National Convention,” General Motors spokesperson Liz Winter confirmed. “We have supported both conventions for many years and aim to provide equivalent support to both the RNC and DNC. Through continuous bipartisan engagement with organizations like the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee, we have an opportunity to build an understanding of the issues important to our industry, our people and the communities we support.”

She added: “Our presence at the conventions does not represent an endorsement of a candidate.”

A few said they simply sat the 2024 national political conventions out.

Wells Fargo “did not contribute to either convention,” bank spokesman Robert Sumner said, adding, “no events, either.”

“We have not contributed for activities at the political conventions,” said Brian Dietz, spokesperson for trade group NCTA – The Internet & Television Association.

The National Federation of Independent Business has “not contributed any money / sponsorships or in-kind contributions to either the RNC or DNC conventions,” spokesperson Jon Thompson wrote in an email.

But the party never ends

When the Democratic National Convention ends Thursday night, and the final Democratic revelers stagger back to their downtown Chicago hotel rooms, there will have been hundreds of individual events and opportunities for wealthy special interests to leave their mark.

To take one: Invariant, a government relations and communications firm that lists Home Depot, H&R Block, Toyota, Marriott International and Cigna among its clients, hosted an “exclusive brat brunch” on Tuesday attended by “media personalities, influencers, administration honchos, Members of Congress, campaign staff diehards, and your friends at Invariant," according to an invitation shared with Raw Story.

Among those personally invited: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), per an invitation.

It’s unclear whether the congresswoman attended. But as Politico would report afterward, a roster of other federal lawmakers sure did, mingling with lobbyists and activists and lots of folks with political agendas.

Invariant did not return requests for comment. But based on a question it poses on its website to potential clients, the event appeared to accomplish the firm’s mission.

“There are only two questions when it comes to lobbying,” Invariant posits. “Do you want to find Washington, or do you want Washington to find you?”

'Where is Walz?!' Minnesota delegates won't leave convention floor

CHICAGO — When U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) slammed his gavel and concluded the Democratic National Convention's Wednesday session around 10:45 p.m. CT, he told delegates that he doesn't care where they go, but they "can't stay here."

The Minnesota Delegation wasn't having it.

ALSO READ: ‘Absolutely essential’: Son of Oath Keeper Stewart Rhodes is all in for Kamala Harris

More than a half hour after the session ended, and the United Center floor otherwise empty, several dozen Minnesotans — and other delegate hangers-on — continued to hoot, holler and demand the Democrats' newly minted vice presidential nominee make a curtain call.

Walz, the state's governor and a former football coach, would have loved the pep rally-style show of defiance on a night he accepted his party's nomination with a speech that featured his tearful family and former high school student athletes.

Members of the Minnesota delegation to the Democratic National Convention stayed long after the Thursday session had ended in Chicago's United Center — in a bid to party with their state's governor, Tim Walz, the newly minted vice presidential candidate. (Dave Levinthal / Raw Story)

But Walz was nowhere to be found after hours.

"Where is Walz? Where is Walz?" the delegates continued to chant, along with "We want Tim!" "Minn-uh-so-tuh" and call-and-response shouts of "Tim!" and "Walz!"

Some waved oversized cardboard cutouts of Walz's head as convention and arena officials gently urged them to curb their enthusiasm and wind it down.

By 11:20 p.m. CT, the delegates finally got the hint and began to file out.

But they had plenty of time left to celebrate, albeit elsewhere, as standard closing time in Chicago isn't until 2 a.m. — although a few watering holes are allowed to stay open later.

Donald Trump exploits AP photo error for new $99 'Save America' book

Former President Donald Trump has exploited a licensing error by the Associated Press and plans to publish a now-iconic AP photo of himself on the cover of his latest book, Raw Story has learned.

The $99 book — titled “Save America” and published by Winning Team Publishing, which Trump's son Donald Trump Jr. co-founded — features AP photographer Evan Vucci’s image of Trump pumping his fist skyward seconds after a gunman’s bullet hit Trump’s ear during a July 13 assassination attempt in Butler, Pa.

“In all the activity over the weekend of July 13, we neglected to immediately add full restrictions to photos from the attempted assassination of former President Trump to make clear they are for editorial use only,” said Nicole Meir, media relations manager for AP. “We added those restrictions three days later. During that window, a handful of organizations licensed the image for non-editorial purposes.”

Going forward, the photo remains available for editorial use only, with AP maintaining the rights to the image, Meir said.

“We are very proud of AP photographer Evan Vucci’s work and continue to license it for editorial use only,” Meir said via email.

Winning Team Publishing did not immediately respond to Raw Story’s request for comment via phone and email.

The book, set to be released on Sept. 3, is available for pre-order and focuses on Trump’s four years in office and his “vision for his next term,” according to the Winning Team Publishing website.

“From Historic Summits with World Leaders to candid scenes from the White House, every photo has been selected by President Trump, alongside his words, which provide insight into what will shape his next four years in office,” the book description on the website reads.

Screen grab of "Save America" book for sale on Winning Team Publishing's website.

Barely 12 hours after the Trump assassination attempt last month, a variety of companies rushed to make money off the image.

An online retailer unaffiliated with the Trump campaign, Proud Patriots, started immediately selling a trading card featuring Trump's blood-splattered face and pumped fist for $29.99, and others started selling T-shirts, tote bags, sweatshirts, mugs and Koozies with the image, Raw Story reported.

None of the retailers appeared to get permission from Vucci and the Associated Press or Getty Images photographer Anna Moneymaker, who captured the moment as well.

Trump's own presidential campaign quickly began fundraising off the attempt on Trump's life.

Harris obliterates Trump in July fundraising

Democrat Kamala Harris obliterated Republican Donald Trump in July fundraising, with her presidential campaign raising more than $204 million — more than four times her opponent's haul for the month, new federal records indicate.

Trump's presidential campaign committee raised about $47.5 million during July, according to documents filed late Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission.

Even by contemporary political standards, where general election presidential candidates are expected to raise tens of millions of dollars every month, Harris' total is extraordinarily large — fueled by a rush of interest and energy for her campaign following President Joe Biden's withdrawal on July 21.

The flood of cash will give Harris more than ample firepower during the 2024 presidential election's final weeks, particularly in several swing states, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Arizona, which stand to determine whether Trump returns to office or Harris becomes the nation's first female president.

During July, the Harris campaign also spent significantly more than Trump's campaign — $80.7 million to $24.3 million, according to FEC records.

Harris' campaign also ended July with a significant cash advantage, reporting $219.7 million cash on hand versus the Trump campaign's $151.3 million.

The official July fundraising figures disclosed late Tuesday by the Harris and Trump campaigns only reflect the finances of the candidate's own campaign committees.

They do not include money raised and spent last month by constellations of other affiliated political committees, such as national party committees and supportive super PACs. Money raised by such committees closely aligned with Harris or Trump together stand to push the candidates' overall numbers even higher, as Reuters and CNBC recently detailed, citing campaign sources.

Harris' July campaign committee totals include money that Biden raised during July prior to his exit, when he seamlessly transferred his campaign committee to Harris because she was already on the Biden-Harris presidential ticket.

But Biden's fundraising had grown anemic in the weeks immediately preceding his departure, particularly after his disastrous June 27 debate performance against Trump.

The debate led not only to fundraising trouble, but widespread Democratic infighting over whether Biden was mentally and physically fit to continue on as a candidate — to say nothing of serve as president until 2029, when he'd be 86 on the final day of his second term.

Biden appeared Monday at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and offered Harris is unbridled support during an emotional speech that prompted chants of "Thank you, Joe!" from the thousands of delegates and party faithful assembled.

Harris, who on Tuesday received a ceremonial affirmation of her presidential nomination during a state-by-state delegate roll call, is scheduled to formally accept the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday.

Protests have hundreds of Democratic National Convention delegates stuck in buses

CHICAGO — The Democratic National Convention kicked off Monday afternoon to rows and rows of empty seats — at least in part caused by pro-Palestine protests that stranded some delegates attempting to travel from downtown Chicago to the United Center, several miles away.

Pro-Palestine protesters, some of whom attempted to break through security barriers ringing the United Center, clashed with law enforcement officers in the hour before the convention was scheduled to begin.

At least 20 buses filled with members of Democratic National Convention state delegations stopped about a half mile short of the United Center and idled.

"Officer Boyer" with the Kankakee Police Department told a Raw Story reporter, who was traveling with the delegates, that the delegate buses were delayed due to a “barricade."

“They said buses can’t come back yet until they get that under control,” said Boyer, who was providing security on a bus for delegates and declined to give his first name.

Boyer told about 10 delegates on one bus, some from Minnesota and Michigan, that they were “free to go” if they wanted to start walking instead of waiting — but that they couldn’t get back on the bus once they got off.

Three Texas delegates wearing “Ceasefire Delegate” buttons said they got caught up in the "tail end" of the traffic jam. The delegates, who declined to be named, said they weren’t aware of the protestors rushing security barricades.

“We’ve just been shuttling around, enjoying the energy, here, but now I am hungry I will say,” one female delegate said.

Some delegates began to bail out and formed a long line walking toward the United Center — although at least one person in a wheelchair, along with others, stayed put.

A long line of delegates and others who abandoned protest-delayed buses make their way to the United Center in Chicago, where the Democratic National Convention begins today, Aug. 19, 2024. (Alexandria Jacobson / Raw Story)

Mariyana Spyropoulos, an Illinois delegate and commissioner for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, decided to walk down Jackson Boulevard toward the United Center instead of waiting on a bus.

She didn't want to miss any more speakers — Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and President Joe Biden are scheduled to talk tonight — than necessary.

“Who knows how long this will take?” she said. “I know there’s some protesting going on but they didn’t say anything specifically about it, at least to us. I thought gavel time was 5:15 or so, so we’re cutting it close.”

She said she wasn’t concerned about getting into the United Center — eventually.

“Security’s important, and they’re doing their thing. I appreciate that," she said. "We want to make sure everyone is safe and that people are entitled to protest because they have that right as well.”

The Democratic National Convention was scheduled to kick off at 6:15 p.m. ET.

But a delay ensued. Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison and Democratic National Convention Chairwoman Minyon Moore did not take the stage until 6:33 p.m. ET, and after brief remarks, did not officially gavel the convention in until 6:38 p.m. ET.

Hundreds of delegate seats, including many reserved for the delegations of Alabama, Washington and Hawaii, remained empty well into the 7 p.m. ET hour.

'Powder keg': Massive security presence on display in Chicago amid signs of trouble

CHICAGO — Local and national law enforcement officials are ready for battle ahead of this week’s Democratic National Convention, and their presence is, seemingly, everywhere on the ground and water and in the air.

While national party leaders, local officials and the thousands of delegates descending on Chicago are hoping for peace, everyone is braced for violence.

A technician adjusts a solar-powered security camera tower outside McCormick Place in Chicago on Aug. 18, 2024. McCormick Place is hosting many of the daytime events associated with the Democratic National Convention. (Dave Levinthal / Raw Story)

ALSO READ: Democrats compete with ultimate Trump billboard during national convention

Tens of thousands of protesters are expected in Chicago’s streets this week, ranging from far-left Gaza advocates to — potentially — far-right supporters of former President Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential nominee.

A fleet of tow trucks stand at the ready outside security barriers at Chicago’s United Center for the Democratic National Convention. (Matt Laslo / Raw Story)

“I'm seeing the signs of that being a powder keg right now,” John Booras — a former police officer in Chicago’s suburbs and current candidate for U.S. House Illinois District 3 — told Raw Story.

Powder keg or not, Chicago Police — aided by dozens of other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies — are making their presence known at most every turn.

On Saturday and Sunday, Raw Story reporters walked and rode their way through Chicago for a first-hand look at how police were preparing.

A half-dozen Chicago Police officers stand watch outside the Ashland "L" Train station on Aug. 18, 2024, near the United Center, where the Democratic National Committee's evening events are being conducted. (Dave Levinthal / Raw Story)

For the past couple days, tourists visiting the city’s iconic Magnificent Mile — a street that boasts the likes of Gucci, Cartier and Armani — have been greeted with large patrols of roving bicycle officers and a heavier police presence than what’s typical for the glitzy main drag.

Snowplows are being deployed as extra layers of security across Chicago for the Democratic National Convention. (Matt Laslo / Raw Story)

Joining the bike cops are motorcycle cops, horse cops and yes, boat cops on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.

Overnight, while those tourists were sleeping — or clubbing — the city’s security apparatus quickly expanded, as concrete and steel barriers were erected in several key areas where Democratic National Convention activities are scheduled.

Chicago Police officers fill up their motorcycles during their patrol Sunday afternoon. (Matt Laslo / Raw Story)

Three miles south of downtown — just past Grant Park (home of Lollapalooza), the Field Museum (home of the largest Tyrannosaurus rex on record) and Soldier Field (home of da Bears!) — is the McCormick Place Convention Center where the party is throwing a public "DemPalooza" fest for those without official convention credentials.

It’s locked down, Chicago-style.

A Cook County, Ill., bomb squad truck is parked outside McCormick Place in Chicago on Aug. 18, 2024. McCormick Place is hosting many of the daytime events associated with the Democratic National Convention. (Dave Levinthal / Raw Story)

It’s off-season for the city’s expansive fleet of intimidatingly large, rusty and seemingly immovable snowplows, so they’re being deployed as an extra layer of security — on top of the other extra layers of security — on the city’s snowless summer streets.

All the seemingly makeshift security upgrades from the Chicago Police Department have an ominous feeling about them to Booras, who was working as a part-time police officer in suburban Chicago during the George Floyd protests in 2020.

A Mutual Aid Box Alarm System decontamination truck from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency drives around the perimeter of McCormick Place in Chicago on Aug. 18, 2024. McCormick Place is hosting many of the daytime events associated with the Democratic National Convention. (Dave Levinthal / Raw Story)

"When you have to create borders that are two blocks away … we didn't have these precautions, even back then. We weren't afraid of people the way that CPD and security is afraid of what's coming now,” Booras said. "Where there's smoke, there's fire. For them to do this, there are credible threats coming through."

Federal agents running a security checkpoint near the United Center on the afternoon of Aug. 18, 2024. (Matt Laslo / Raw Story)

But snowplows can only cover the square footage they occupy and law enforcement wants to be everywhere. And they will be with the assist of security cameras, drones, helicopters and air quality sensors.

While many delegates are staying downtown in and around McCormick Place, the convention itself is some three miles away from Chicago’s lakefront at the United Center — home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks — which has also been fortified in recent days.

United States Capitol Police patrol the streets around the United Center Sunday. (Matt Laslo / Raw Story)

Sunday law enforcement officials were seen circling the United Center in a helicopter whose doors were ominously open.

With this year’s Democratic National Convention stretched across the city, there are also troops of bike cops out by the United Center, along with many long gun-wielding federal agents.

A law enforcement helicopter circles the area around Chicago’s United Center Sunday evening ahead of the Democratic National Convention. (Matt Laslo / Raw Story)

The attempt on Trump’s life last month ahead of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee is still fresh on the minds of all the officers assembled in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, where Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to accept her party’s nomination on Thursday.

Chicago snowplow turned security barrier. (Matt Laslo / Raw Story)

President Joe Biden, who withdrew from the race in mid-July, is scheduled to speak at the convention Monday. Thousands of other dignitaries, government officials and state and federal lawmakers will be in attendance.

Local and national law enforcement officials and security contractors setting up concrete and steel barriers downtown Chicago at 2 am Sunday morning. (Matt Laslo / Raw Story)

"Now, those threats don't always materialize. Fewer are the moments of Butler, Pa., and what happened with Trump there. Way more often do they actually succeed, get it right, stop things before they happen. That's the standard,” Booras told Raw Story. “So, it's highly likely that you won't see the horrific violence that maybe is being threatened erupt, but again, that's not something that I would choose to be around if I didn't have to."

Democrats to volunteers: 'Don't bother Jake Tapper.' But the CNN host has other ideas.

CHICAGO — There's a golden rule for Democratic National Convention personnel tending the official press filing centers this week: leave the media luminaries alone.

“It’s easy to get star struck," a convention official who introduced himself as "Tom" said Sunday as he toured a couple dozen excited press logistics volunteers through the Chicago Bulls practice facility, which is doubling this week as a makeshift office for journalists. "They’re here to work and so are we. Don’t be all uncool.”

Everyone laughed.

One woman, however, persisted.

ALSO READ: Donald Trump deep in debt while foreign money keeps coming: disclosure

“What about Jake Tapper? We have to get directions to where Jake Tapper is!" she said of the longtime CNN journalist with a decidedly half-joking tone.

“Don’t bother Jake Tapper," Tom deadpanned.

Press logistics volunteers for the Democratic National Convention receive pre-convention instructions during a tour of the Chicago Bulls' basketball training facility, which is doubling as a media filing center. The Democratic National Convention takes place from Aug. 19, 2024, through Aug. 22, 2024, at the adjacent United Center in Chicago. (Dave Levinthal / Raw Story)

But Tapper, who hosts weekday program "The Lead with Jake Tapper" and co-hosts Sunday public affairs show "State of the Union," indicated he won't be reporting from Chicago from some ivory television tower.

“Always happy to say hi to convention volunteers!" Tapper told Raw Story on Sunday. "We’re nothing without our viewers."

Tapper, already a nationally known media figure, has played an outsized role during the 2024 presidential election.

In June, Tapper and CNN colleague Dana Bash co-moderated the presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, which proved to be one of the most consequential in modern political history.

Biden's disastrous performance led to the president's withdrawal from the race and Vice President Kamala Harris' ascendance to the top of the ticket.

As for Tom, a young man in a black polo shirt, he politely declined comment and directed Raw Story's questions about the Democratic National Committee's volunteer protocols to the convention press office, which did not immediately respond on Sunday.

Democrats compete with ultimate Trump billboard during national convention

CHICAGO — As the Democratic National Convention kicks off Monday, Republican nominee Donald Trump — not Democratic nominee Kamala Harris — arguably has the most permanent and grandiose billboard in town.

It’s not a traditional billboard suspended alongside the highway, although there are plenty of those surrounding the city with decidedly convention-focused messages.

Rather, it’s the massive letters spelling out TRUMP across the 98-story reflective skyscraper, Trump International Hotel and Tower.

Close-up of Trump sign at Trump International Hotel and Tower in downtown Chicago (Photo by Dave Levinthal/Raw Story)

Suspended over the Chicago River in the city’s downtown for the past 15 years, Trump Tower is the second tallest building in Chicago, and it can’t help but attract the attention of millions of visitors and locals who pass by.

Still, Trump’s permanent presence in Chicago hasn’t stopped both conservative and liberal organizations and media from trying to battle out their causes via traditional billboards.

Heading north on Interstate 55, drivers first encounter billboards welcoming visitors to Chicago for the Democratic National Convention about 45 miles outside of the city near the far southwest, historically blue collar suburb of Joliet, Ill.

Then begins a steady stream of conservative billboards ranging from a sign encouraging drivers to “Discover why Jesus created you” to a “Truth & Tradition” ad from The Epoch Times, a conservative newspaper organization, which is in the midst of a scandal involving charges of money laundering. (The same billboard can be seen near O’Hare International Airport, too.)

An ad from the conservative Epoch Times newspaper organization, advertising its website to motorists driving toward downtown Chicago from O’Hare International Airport. (Photo by Dave Levinthal/Raw Story)

As drivers approach the city itself, the Illinois Democrats’ presence becomes more pronounced with various billboards highlighting talking points such as: “Record job growth.” “Balancing budgets.” “Rebuilding roads, bridges & schools.” “Protect women’s rights.”

One of several billboards from Illinois Democrats that says "Protect Women's Rights." This particular billboard is sponsored by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's campaign committee. (Photo by Matt Laslo/Raw Story)

The Chicago host committee for the convention unveiled a new campaign, “The Future Is Built In Chicago,” featuring local leaders from nine Chicago neighborhoods.The billboards can be seen approaching the city, featuring ambassadors ranging from Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, a historian and popular TikTok creator, to Chris Harris Sr., a pastor of two prominent churches.

An ad featuring Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, a historian and popular TikTok creator, as part of the "The Future Is Built In Chicago,” campaign. (Alexandria Jacobson/Raw Story)

Throughout the city, cause-based ads were interspersed between official party ads, which included an uncredited “Support Our Troops sign, a “Protect and Serve” ad supporting fallen Chicago Police Department officers, a welcome to “Union Town USA” sign from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134 and a message from pro-abortion rights organization, Women’s Declaration International USA, that said “Dear Democrats: only WOMEN need ABORTIONS.”

A billboard on Aug. 16, 2024, en route to downtown Chicago, sponsored by pro-abortion rights organization Women’s Declaration International USA. (Photo by Dave Levinthal/Raw Story)

Media organizations took to billboards as well to promote their convention coverage.

Nonprofit public affairs cable network, C-SPAN, advertised its “unfiltered view of the national convention” to travelers at O’Hare International Airport. Fox News advertised its “Democracy ‘24” coverage on a highway billboard.

An advertisement for C-SPAN’s coverage of the Democratic National Convention greets travelers at O’Hare International Airport on Aug. 16, 2024, in Chicago. (Photo by Dave Levinthal/Raw Story)

Another Fox News ad showed viewership graphs boasting the network in a distinct first place compared to competitors NBC, ABC and CBS with the slogan, “America is watching .. are you?

Fox News billboard Fox News channel ad with the slogan, "America is watching ... are you?" (Photo by Matt Laslo/Raw Story)

Billboard battles took place last month during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, as well.

Visitors to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport were greeted with billboards for the Heritage Foundation, the conservative group spearheading the controversial Project 2025 presidential transition” plan, and pro- and anti-Trump groups took to billboard campaigns with ads from the Republican National Committee to a political action committee backed by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Donald Trump deep in debt while foreign money keeps coming: disclosure

The finances of Republican nominee former President Donald Trump include gallons of red ink — particularly with the addition of recent legal judgments, according to a new presidential financial disclosure released Thursday.

Trump reported debts between $346 million and $455 million throughout 2023, from a legal judgments and property mortgages.

The latest disclosure shows Trump's financial liabilities from two New York court cases, in which Trump was found him liable for defamation and sexual abuse of writer E. Jean Carroll, as well as fraud via the Trump Organization.

The damages owed to Carroll are noted on the disclosure, with one liability valued over $50 million and the other valued between $1 million and $5 million. Jurors awarded her $83.3 million in damages total.

ALSO READ: Sen. John Fetterman violates financial law with botched corporate bond disclosures

The disclosure also noted over $50 million in debt to the New York Attorney General due to litigation. In April, Trump posted a more than $175 million bond for his more than $450 million liability in the case.

All three litigation liabilities are bonded and pending appeal, according to a note on the disclosure.

Trump was also found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 18.

From Bibles to golf: Trump's assets

Trump's public financial disclosure — a requirement for all presidential candidates — was released on Thursday after certification from an attorney for the Federal Election Commission.

Trump previously twice delayed releasing his financial disclosure. He now faces Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election — someone who is likely to raise questions on the campaign trail about Trump's exotic finances and potential conflicts of interest. Trump's foreign financial entanglements, in particular, dogged him throughout his term as president.

Much of Trump's more than 250-page disclosure was dedicated to listing numerous assets and sources of income.

As federal rules only require presidential candidates to list the values of most assets in broad ranges, it's impossible to know from the document alone how much Trump is truly worth.

But his wealth — despite his debts — remains staggering.

ALSO READ: 21 worthless knick-knacks Donald Trump will give you for your cash

Trump reported owning 114,750,000 shares of stock in Trump Media & Technology Group Corp., the company that owns the Truth Social platform.

Cash assets across various accounts were valued between $11.6 million and $56.4 million on the disclosure report.

Trump reported thousands of individual stock and securities assets. Investments, many in the $100,001 to $250,000 range, span a variety of companies ranging from pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, to defense contractors Qualcomm and Lockheed Martin to tech giants Apple and Alphabet, the parent company of Google.

He reported an investment cryptocurrency worth at least $1 million and another in gold bars valued between $100,001 and $250,000.

Trump also reported income from a variety of hustles, including more than $4.47 million from the "Letters to Trump" book and more than $505,000 from the "A MAGA Journey" book. Trump's stake in a Bible venture with musician Lee Greenwood netted Trump $300,000.

Trump once again earned nearly a quarter of a million dollars from an April 2024 speaking engagement for LGBTQ+ group, Log Cabin Republicans.

Curiously, Trump reported earning $35,000 from "proceeds received from the sale of helicopter parts" through DJT Aerospace LLC, one of his dozens of business entities.

Trump continues to be a union pensioner, too, taking in $90,776 from his Screen Actors Guild Pension at a monthly rate of $6,484, per his disclosure. A 2013 World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame inductee, Trump also received $11,632 from his American Federation of Television and Radio Artists pension.

And although Trump's long run as the headliner on NBC's "The Apprentice" is long behind him, Trump did report receiving between $100,001 and $1 million in royalty payments from a production company, Trump Productions LLC, related to the show.

Golf remains big business for Trump, with the former president reporting golf-related income into the nine-figures, including $37.17 million in income from his club in Bedminster, N.J., and $33.54 million from his club in Jupiter, Fla. He reported more than 15.23 million in Euro income from a golf resort in Ireland and another 7.28 million in Euro income from a related hotel.

Trump made more than $7.15 million from licensing fees from NFT International Inc., a company that marketed digital Trump trading cards sold for $99 a pop.

The former president earned millions of dollars from various investments and financial arrangements in the Middle East, including the countries of Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

While Trump incessantly complains about China, he maintains numerous trademarks of his name — "Trump" — in that country, for several hundred stated purposes that include "business clothing," "toy rentals," "chemical research," "ship building," "operating lotteries," "handwriting analysis," "bookmobile services" and "lingerie."

In an indication of Trump's global business reach, the former president also maintains trademarks of his name and company names in Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bermuda, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, the European Union, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.

A "Donald J. Trump Signature Collection" trademark Trump had in Venezuela — an avowed enemy of the United States — expired on Jan. 12, 2023, Trump's disclosure indicates.

Trump University — Trump's defunct for-profit real estate education venture for which he paid a $25 million civil penalty for fraud — made a cameo in the copyright section of Trump's financial disclosure for a book Trump co-wrote.

Trump's campaign spokesperson did not immediately respond to Raw Story's request for comment.

Hotel heist: Fraudsters stole thousands from hospitality giant's political committee

WASHINGTON — An "unknown and unauthorized external party" stole nearly $7,500 from Marriott International's federal political action committee — the latest in a string of thefts affecting high-profile politicians, corporations and unions.

The thefts, which took place on Feb. 20 and March 12, according to federal documents reviewed by Raw Story, were not an inside job, the Marriott International Inc. Political Action Committee told the Federal Election Commission.

"The transactions were external fraudulent activity and not the result of committee staff misappropriating funds or due
to a failure to implement internal controls," Marriott International's PAC wrote the FEC on Aug. 6 following an inquiry from the agency in July. "In fact, the Committees internal controls contributed to the quick identification, reporting, and remedy of this issue."

Upon Marriott International PAC officials notifying their bank — the committee lists both Trust and the Vanguard Group as its financial institutions — "the bank opened a fraud claim, investigated, and ultimately credited the committee for the funds fraudulently debited."

ALSO READ: 21 worthless knick-knacks Donald Trump will give you for your cash

It is unclear whether the hotel company separately involved law enforcement.

Melissa Froehlich-Flood, the Marriott International PAC's treasurer, and Marriott International's corporate media relations department, did not immediately return requests for comment.

The hotelier uses its PAC help bankroll the campaigns of prominent members of Congress, typically spending several hundred thousands of dollars during each two-year election cycle, according to federal data compiled by nonpartisan research group OpenSecrets.

Percentage-wise, Marriott International's PAC gives roughly the same amount of money to Republicans and Democrats.

During the 2023-2024 election cycle, for example, Marriott International's PAC gave a maximum donation of $5,000 to the reelection campaign of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) before he quit Congress late last year. (McCarthy's campaign committee, incidentally, is a fraud victim, too.)

ALSO READ: Tim Walz's personal finances are extraordinarily boring — and that may help Harris

It has also given $5,000 to the reelection campaign of Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), who is facing a stiff challenge from Republican businessman Dave McCormick.

Marriott International's PAC "has worked with its bank to block unauthorized ACH transactions and implement additional fraud prevention measures offered by the bank," it told the FEC last week. "There have been no subsequent fraudulent debits against the committee's bank account."

Numerous political thefts

Dozens of political committees have fallen victim this decade to thefts large and small.

Some thieves using sophisticated technology, while others use decidedly old-school methods such as mail theft and check washing.

The Wisconsin Republican Party, Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX), Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), the Managed Funds Association PAC, and the Retired Americans PAC — a super PAC that supports Democrats — each lost six- or seven-figure amounts.

Among the political committees that have lost five-figure amounts to fraud: President Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign; the Republican National Committee, the reelection campaign of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL); State Farm Insurance; the Business Industry Political Action Committee; and The Lincoln Project, an anti-Donald Trump super PAC.

It varies from committee to committee whether a political committee is able to recover lost funds in part or in full — or at all.

21 worthless knick-knacks Donald Trump will give you for your cash

Golden sneakers.

Nonfungible tokens.

Jingoistic Bibles.

Much ado has been made about the baubles and bibelot a cash-strapped Donald Trump keeps peddling to MAGA-heads.

But one can wear a Trump shoe, auction a Trumpy digital asset and ponder Matthew 19:24 and 1 Timothy 6:10 while reading the Lee Greenwood version of the Good Book.

The downside for Trump? All cost money to produce.

ALSO READ: 8 ways Donald Trump doesn't become president

Which is perhaps why Trump is increasingly offering prospective 2024 presidential campaign donors trinkets and honorifics with effectively no discernible value at all — in exchange for a cash contribution.

Raw Story has assembled a running list, as drawn from Trump's various fundraising emails and text messages during the past many months, as he seeks to defeat Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris and win back the White House:

Gold card

Upside: The "NEVER SURRENDER 2024 GOLD LIMITED EDITION" card sure is shiny. It's also made of "METAL."

Downside: You may be a fool if you believe that metal is really gold. You'll also get more mileage from any credit, debit, ATM or senior discount card found in your wallet.

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

Platinum card

The "TRUMP 2024 BALLOT DEFENDER PLATINUM LEVEL METAL LIMITED EDITION" is advertised to a "TOP SUPPORTER" who has earned Trump's "PLATINUM RATING."

That Trump's campaign sent it to anyone subscribed to his email list, including journalists, should provide adequate evidence about its exclusiveness.

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

Black card

Just like the gold card and the platinum card. Except it's black.

The Trump campaign did not respond to Raw Story's several requests for comment.

Among the questions Raw Story asked Trump's team: What are the differences among these cards other than the color? Do donors receive a physical card in the mail upon making a donation or just a digital image they can print out at home? How long does it take for someone to receive a card if physical cards are offered? Is there a minimum amount one must donate to receive a card? Do the cards entitle the bearer to any benefits or perks, and if so, what?

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

Life member

A "2024 Trump Life Membership" might seem like a pretty sweet deal. After all, this membership is being offered to you by a man who owns hotels and golf courses and luxury resorts.

Unfortunately, the "life membership" comes with a 100 percent guarantee that if you enter Mar-a-Lago using this as your lone credential, your visit will be brief.

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

Diamond Club member

If diamonds are forever, why not just get a Trump life membership and save yourself some confusion?

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

Day One member

This will signify your membership to what Trump is calling the "Trump National Committee" — a joint fundraising arrangement between Trump's presidential campaign committee and the Republican National.

The only tangible benefit? A lighter wallet.

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

Trump Advisory Board member

Excited to support a self-styled "day one" dictator but aren't ready for a full-time gig?

Buy your way onto the "2024 Trump Advisory Board" and become a "trusted" adviser to the man who wants to become our nation's 47th president.

But rest assured that if you do, the person who Trump is pictured talking to on the phone will not be you.

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

Vice Presidential Advisory Board member

All the pomp and lack of circumstance of the Trump Advisory Board membership — but with J.D. Vance's photo instead of Trump's.

J.D. Vance campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

President's Trust member

A cool $35 will snag you this gig. No details whatsoever on what rights or responsibilities this will entail.

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

Campaign Cabinet member

Most of the members of Trump's presidential Cabinet aren't too jazzed about the former president again seeking the White House.

Enter the "OFFICIAL TRUMP CAMPAIGN CABINET."

This new Cabinet "will be made up of my most ELITE, PATRIOTIC, and TRUSTED supporters that are up for the ULTIMATE challenge – providing my team and I with valuable insight and advice as we make some of the most important decisions leading up to the 2024 Presidential Election and BEYOND," Trump writes.

What's the catch? Just donate "ANY AMOUNT IMMEDIATELY," and you, too, can start channeling your inner Wilbur Ross and begin taking lots of naps. (Trump might even say you're as "dumb as a rock.")

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

47 Club member

Oh, you think you're special because you're in the Official Trump Campaign Cabinet?

Turns out that folks in the "Official Trump 47 Club" also get invited to be among the "select few Patriots" who Trump will "rely on and will provide me with the insight and support to RECLAIM America."

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

100 Club member

Same as the 47 Club, but with a bigger number.

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

Gold Club member

For those who really love element No. 79 but need more than a card.

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

Platinum member

For those who really love element No. 78 but need more than a card.

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

Sustaining member

This membership requires a little extra.

"To be certain that we have a consistent stream of funds every single month, I'm asking you to become a Sustaining Member of our 2024 presidential campaign by making a monthly contribution of any amount ... even $1 or $5," Trump writes.

The membership does not appear to come with a public television-esque tote bag or John Tesh CD. (Sad!)

So what, exactly, does this particular membership, or any Trump these memberships, entitle one who is granted a membership?

Do different memberships come with different benefits, if they come with any benefit at all?

The Trump campaign did not respond to Raw Story's several requests for comment.

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

Trump Donor Wall

For years now, Trump's campaign has been promising a "select" group of supporters that they would have their name etched on a "wall" in Trump's office.

Perhaps forgetting that they've run this promotion before, or perhaps hoping that supporters themselves have forgotten this fact, Trump is again promising to "build a beautiful wall at my office dedicated to a select group of donors who stepped up at this critical time."

Like another wall — say, one on the southern border — it'd be reasonable to question why the Trump Donor Wall hasn't already been built.

One thing is for certain: Mexico can't pay for the Trump Donor Wall, because foreign campaign contributions are illegal, per federal election law.

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

45 ambassador

If Trump seems to be putting the "meh" in memberships, he's got something way cooler — ambassadorships!

Get ready to channel your inner Benjamin Franklin, Anthony Wayne Jerome Phillips-Spencer or Spock when you "secure your status as an Official 45 Ambassador before it's too late."

No, you will not have access to a State Department jet or even "Trump Force One."

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

Golden Trump Status

So, you've already got a Trump gold card. And you're also a Trump Gold Club member.

But like Trump himself, you really, really love gold.

What's a MAGA gold digger to do?

Achieve Golden Trump Status, of course.

"Golden Trump Patriots like you WILL BE THE REASON we take back our Country from the WORST, and most CORRUPT, President in HISTORY," Trump explains in offering this opportunity.

Golden Trump Status may be achieved for the low, low pyrite-esque price of $20.24, according to a Trump campaign email.

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

America First Lifetime Achievement Award for Patriotism

Americans of a certain age may remember those grifty letters your parents would receive via U.S. mail informing them that their little Johnny or Katie had been named to the Who's Who of Upper Midwestern Left-Handed 7th Graders.

Just send a check for $99 plus shipping and handling and the publisher would send back a book where your name — misspelled, of course — would appear in four-point font on page 743, printed on paper half a micron thick.

The America First Lifetime Achievement Award for Patriotism appears to work similarly.

Even though the invitation states that Donald Trump Jr., the former president's own son, has nominated you for this "MAGA Movement Honor," there's a catch.

"$35 — DONATE THIS AMOUNT TO ACCEPT" a black button with white letters informs you when you click to accept the award.

America First Lifetime Achievement Award for Patriotism Source: Donald Trump campaign

Signed poster

One day, you're watching a football game in your wood-paneled basement rec room, and you decide the vintage, autographed posters of Bernie Kosar and Cheryl Tiegs look a bit ... dated. Time for an upgrade.

Lucky for you, a modest campaign donation will snag you a "signed poster from Donald J. Trump, the best President of all time!"

Unlucky for you, Trump's signature is simulated.

Curiously, the poster also shouts the words "NEVER SURRENDER!" across Trump's black-and-white mugshot from when Trump quite literally surrendered himself to law enforcement in Fulton County, Ga., on charges related to his alleged effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Donald Trump campaign fundraising message Source: Donald Trump campaign

Mystery gift

Free rounds at a Trump golf course?

A guest pass to Mar-a-Lago?

A virtual high-five from Vivek Ramaswamy?

There's no telling what Trump's "mystery gift" to you will be — unless you donate at least $20.24.

Donald Trump campaign fundraising webpage Source: Donald Trump campaign

This article first appeared on April 11, 2024, and has been updated to reflect new Trump campaign offerings and developments in the 2024 presidential campaign.

Rewind: Kamala Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign was a financial disaster

WASHINGTON — Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has raised historically massive sums of money since President Joe Biden announced on Sunday he’d not stand for reelection.

But political money hasn’t always been easy for Harris.

Federal records indicate that Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign, which she abandoned in late 2019 before a Democratic primary or caucus vote had been cast, experienced a most messy financial ending — one that didn’t officially arrive until less than a year ago.

ALSO READ: How much access did $50,000 buy someone at the Republican National Convention?

Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign money situation offers a small, but relevant window into her campaign resource management style during a month when Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump had financially overtaken the Biden — now Harris — campaign immediately prior to Biden’s exit.

Here’s what happened with Harris’ 2020 campaign, according to Federal Election Commission records analyzed by Raw Story:

When Harris dropped out of the 2020 race on Dec. 3, 2019, she cited campaign money as an overriding reason. “My campaign for president simply doesn’t have the financial resources we need to continue,” Harris said at the time.

She wasn’t lying. As of Dec. 31, 2019, Harris’ presidential campaign committee had less than $1.13 million left in its account — and $1.07 million in debt, according to federal records.

But that was only the beginning of Harris’ debt problems.

By March 31, 2020, her campaign committee’s cash reserves had dwindled to about $220,000 while debt grew to nearly $1.1 million as lingering bills hit the campaign’s ledger.

The creditor list for Kamala Harris for the People — the official name of Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign committee — included 16 different campaign vendors.

ALSO READ: Milwaukee girded for massive convention protests. But they got something else.

Harris’ campaign owed Perkins Coie LLP, the law firm whose political law group was then led by Democratic superlawyer Marc Elias, the most — more than $430,000. TorchStone Global LLC (security and travel), NGP VAN Inc. (software) and Political Data Inc. (voter data) and SCRB Strategies (political consulting) were likewise owed large sums.

By the end of June 2020, Harris’ all-but-defunct presidential campaign was effectively broke: It reported just $994.96 in its account versus more than $1.04 million in debt.

It looked as if Harris was destined to join the likes of Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, Mike Pence and Al Sharpton as former presidential candidates who to this day rank among the nation’s most notable presidential campaign deadbeats, unable or unwilling to settle up on years-old bills.

But the trajectory of Harris’ financial fortunes would soon change.

On Aug. 11, 2020, Biden — then the Democrats’ presumptive presidential nominee — selected Harris as his running mate.

ActBlue, the Democratic donation platform, allowed supporters of the new Biden-Harris ticket to make contributions to Harris’ old 2020 presidential campaign committee for the purpose of paying down its debts.

It helped. A lot. By Sept. 30, 2020, Harris’ 2020 presidential committee reported nearly $100,000 cash on hand and less than $846,000 in debt.

But it wasn’t a panacea. So Harris’ old campaign dug into federal regulations and pulled out a unanimous and decidedly relevant 2010 advisory opinion from the Federal Election Committee that stated: “The principal campaign committee for a presidential ticket may transfer general election funds to retire debts from the vice presidential nominee’s presidential primary campaign.”

Somewhat ironically, it was Biden’s 2008 presidential campaign, which flamed out in similar fashion to Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign, that prompted the Federal Election Commission’s ruling.

That’s because when Biden became Barack Obama’s running mate in mid-2008, the old Biden presidential committee, in conjunction with the Obama for America committee, petitioned the Federal Election Committee to allow the Obama committee to either transfer $138,000 to Biden’s old committee or simply pay off the Biden committee’s debts.

Among the Federal Election Commissioners voting in favor of this arrangement that would benefit Harris years later? Future Donald Trump White House counsel Don McGahn and failed Trump federal court nominee Matthew Petersen, of all people.

Flash forward 10 years.

In Oct. 16, 2020, the Biden for President campaign transferred nearly $437,000 to the Kamala Harris for the People committee. On Nov. 16, 2020 — shortly after Biden won the presidency — it transferred another $441,635.

Kamala Harris for the People’s campaign debt was zeroed out by December 2020.

This story of Harris’ unpaid bills doesn’t quite end here, however.

Kamala Harris for the People incurred some new bills in 2021, including delayed tax bills from governmental entities and tens of thousands of dollars in new legal bills from the Kaufman Legal Group in California. Some Harris donors had money refunded to them, slicing into the committee’s cash balance.

In early 2022, Kamala Harris for the People sunk back into debt, with nearly $439,000 in outstanding bills — including $319,957 in unpaid payroll taxes due to the Comptroller of Maryland.

But the Biden campaign again came to the rescue, injecting another $560,000 into Kamala Harris for the People, to bring its grand debt-retirement total to more than $1 million.

Source: Federal Election Commission

This allowed Harris to pay off her campaign debts once and for all by late 2022.

Kamala Harris for the People’s final act came on July 10, 2023, when it transferred $48,504.42 back to the Biden for President committee and notified the Federal Election Commission of its intent to terminate itself. (Federal regulators generally won’t allow federal political committees to terminate themselves until they’ve paid off their debt.)

On Aug. 3, 2023, Federal Election Committee senior analyst Jessica Grainger informed Kamala Harris for the People that its termination request had been “accepted.”

Less than a year later, Harris would rename the Biden for President committee “Harris for President” and take over the Biden committee’s tens of millions of dollars, to which it has already added tens of millions more in the two days after Biden’s departure from the race.

Didn't get the memo: Biden campaign begs for support an hour after he drops out

Someone in the Biden campaign apparently didn't get the memo that President Joe Biden has quit the 2024 presidential race.

Nearly an hour after he announced Sunday afternoon that he would not stand for re-election, and instead endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him, the Biden campaign blasted out an email "not to ask for money -- but for your endorsement."

"Joe and Kamala are leading the country with courage, decency, and a determination to keep making progress for working families," the email reads before ticking off a list of Biden administration accomplishments.

"They need you by their side to get it done. Will you sign on right now to endorse President Biden and Vice President Harris's 100-Days Agenda? They're counting on folks like you to make their voices heard by midnight tonight."

Click on a link provided and a page prompts you to "sign on to endorse our agenda" by clicking a button.

Click the button, and you receive a donation page with a message: "Protecting our fundamental rights and saving our nation's democracy all comes down to reelecting Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. They're counting on this grassroots team to keep MAGA extremism out of the White House! Rush a donation today."

And then: "Your contribution will benefit Joe Biden."

It's not uncommon for political campaigns to pre-schedule fundraising pitches such as this — and that's what almost certainly happened here.

If so, someone apparently forgot to pull the plug on the fundraising missive following Biden's announcement earlier in the 1 p.m. ET hour.

If Harris becomes the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee — a likely but not guaranteed scenario — federal campaign finance rules allow for Harris to directly benefit from the money that the Biden-Harris campaign committee raised.

How much access did $50,000 buy someone at the Republican National Convention?

MILWAUKEE — An open secret about national conventions: the real action is often outside the convention hall, blocks or even miles away from where a political party will formally nominate its presidential candidate.

And this week in tony restaurants, trendy bars, hotel ballrooms and entertainment venues across Milwaukee, corporate lobbyists, megadonors and conservative advocacy organizations will engage in the age-old tradition of using money to influence politics.

The more money you have, the more access you can buy.

So what does $50,000 buy you at the Republican National Convention?

ALSO READ: Trump and God: Religion raises the stakes at Republican convention

Quite a lot, according to more than two-dozen private invitations and political sponsorship offers reviewed by Raw Story.

Take the Republican Party of Arizona’s $50,000 “corporate platinum sponsorship” package. Includes the opportunity to “serve as the title sponsor” for an Arizona delegation event and an “upgraded VIP hotel room,” in addition to seemingly unlimited access to the delegation’s gatherings and activities. “Help raise WVGOP’s profile and promote your organization.”

Then there’s the $50,000 West Virginia delegation’s “Almost Heaven Convention Strategies Sponsorship Package,” which includes invitations to “all WVGOP convention receptions” — more than a dozen in all. You’ll also get a “speaking role” at two West Virginia delegation events and recognition in the delegation’s convention program and “all WVGOP convention receptions.”

“Connect with GOP leaders from across the country,” a sponsorship document reads.

The Virginia delegation offers a $50,000 “platinum supporter” package with similar perks plus such sweeteners as a “private sponsor Meet and Greet and photo op opportunity with VIP guests” and recognition as a “platinum Sponsor for all events honoring the Virginia Republicans with name/logo listed on all signs, materials, etc.”

And if you’re really loaded, you can double down and cough up $100,000 to become the “title sponsor” of Donald Trump’s home state delegation of Florida, which on Monday officially cast the delegate votes to formally put Trump over the threshold to become the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nominee.

Florida delegation title sponsors are entitled to the works: top billing at numerous delegate events, access to high-profile politicians, recognition wherever one goes.

The "Southern States Fest at the Ballpark" is also a six-figure-sponsor affair, with a "stage and band sponsor" buying themselves access to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), the Louisiana convention delegation and musician Lee Greenwood, along with 100 event tickets, "stage naming rights" and "other special benefits."

The delegations for Georgia, Missouri and Alabama also offer prospective sponsors big-time benefit packages for $50,000 contributions.

Here’s what you’ll get at other events this week, according to sponsorship documents:

“BBQ, Bikes & Blues”: The “gold supporter” “host sponsorship package” at Tuesday’s event at Milwaukee’s Harley-Davidson Museum, which honored the delegations of Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Wyoming,” costs $20,000. It includes 20 tickets to the event, top billing on event signage, meet-and-greets with “VIPs,” “hotel room opportunities” and “access to official RNC Convention credentials.”
“The Lawyers Reception”: For a cool $25,000, the Republican National Lawyers Association will provide you “elite recognition of your law firm — logo featured on multiple displays at the reception” at a three-hour event at the law firm Husch Blackwell. You’ll also receive “special acknowledgment of your firm by master of ceremonies during program” and a host of other goodies, such as the “possibility of privileged access for multiple guests to RNC Convention for multiple days and one guest to delegate floor.”
“Boots and Bourbon”: Join Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) and the Kentucky delegation for top-shelf treatment, constant promotion at private events and speaking opportunities — for $20,000. You’ll also get the cool title, “Bourbon Host.”
“Red White & Brew”: Sponsored by conservative organizations Independent Women’s Voices and RightNow, a $15,000 “pilsner supporter” sponsorship will buy you access to the same beer everyone else is drinking — plus a dozen event tickets and your name plastered everywhere, among other
“Brewing a Majority Reception”: This is Milwaukee, after all, so it serves to reason there would be more than one beer-themed event. This one, at the Historic Pabst Brewery, features two powerful members of Congress — Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA). Sponsors who pay $20,000 get 15 event tickets, photos with VIPs, top listing on signage and credentials, “speakeasy access” and two tickets to a future event in Washington, D.C., with Barrasso.

As these are generally private events and closed to press, it’s not immediately evident who is shelling out top dollar to sponsor these and other events.

But there are hints.

For example, Raw Story spotted signs for ULINE, the shipping supply company founded by GOP megadonors Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein, inside a private Fiserv Forum lounge for top Trump campaign and Republican National Committee supporters attending the Republican National Convention.

Spotted inside a lounge for the Republican State Leadership Committee: pillows placed on plush chairs featured logos for Lyft, the ride hailing company.

Some of these sponsorship packages are organized by Conventions2024, a company that describes itself as “a group of veteran political convention operatives who have been producing events at the GOP Convention since 2008.”

Representatives from the company did not respond to Raw Story messages.

But one government watchdog bemoaned the widespread influence peddling, which is certain to also be present next month in Chicago when the Democratic National Convention is conducted.

“Corporate lobbyists, big businesses, and special interests always see the national party conventions as yet another way of buying influence with elected officials, and as a result, party officials are often complicit in selling access during conventions,” said Aaron Scherb, senior director of legislative affairs at Common Cause.

Scherb insisted that Congress needs to pass legislation to “get big, secret money out of politics and to ensure that the voices of everyday Americans can be fully heard in government.”