This Democratic Challenger Outspent Trump on Facebook Ads in the Last Month by More Than Double
Former hedge funder manager Tom Steyer has spent three times as much as Trump on digital ads in the last month
Sean Burch | August 12, 2019 @ 2:16 PM
Last Updated: August 12, 2019 @ 2:20 PM
Donald Trump’s re-election team is spending big bucks on Facebook ads to keep him in the White House, similar to the way his campaign tackled the 2016 presidential race. But in the last month, only one 2020 hopeful has outspent Trump, and it’s not even close: Tom Steyer.
“Who is that?” you might ask. The 62-year-old Steyer is a billionaire ex-hedge fund manager and liberal activist that’s looking to carve out his spot in the already-crowded Democratic field — so his name likely isn’t on most people’s radars. An ardent detractor of President Trump, Steyer is putting his money where his mouth is, spending $74 million last year to help Democrats win midterm races, along with millions more on an impeachment crusade, according to ABC News.
Now, he’s taken the top spot away from Trump as Facebook’s biggest spender on political ads. Since launching his campaign in early July, Steyer has spent more than twice as much as Trump on Facebook ads — $2.94 million compared to $1.3 million — according to the company’s ad library archive. Steyer has edged past Trump on Google spending in the last month as well, putting $661,000 into ads, compared to $616,000 from the commander-in-chief.
Steyer’s sudden flurry of ads come as he, like several other fringe candidates, is scrambling to make the next round of Democratic debates in September. To qualify, candidates need 130,000 donors and 2% support in four Democratic National Convention-approved polls. Steyer has 2% support in three polls but still falls short of the donor threshold, according to The Hill; many of his ads make this clear.
One ad recently offered supporters a limited edition “climate change is a crisis” sticker if they donated. Another ad, active on Facebook, warned “our democracy is not secure” after “Russia targeted the election systems in all 50 states,” before asking for a $1 donation.
Other ads simply rail against the president’s handling of the border crisis and call on supporters to sign a petition pushing Congress to end its recess and hold him accountable for “crimes, corruption, and racist policies and rhetoric.”
“Right now, Trump is putting people in cages on the border and ripping children from their families,” Steyer’s Facebook ad reads. “Add your name: Tell Congress to do something!”
Steyer’s ad blitz has momentarily thrown off what has mostly been a given to this point — that Trump would outspend his opponents on Facebook ads. Since the social network started openly tracking political donations in May 2018, Trump has spent more than $16 million on ads between the “Make America Great Again Committee” and the “Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.” committee. Democrat Beto O’Rourke has been the second-biggest spender in the last 14 months, with about $8 million put into Facebook ads.
A longtime advocate for liberal causes, Steyer’s campaign site lightly outlines some of his priorities, including limiting congressional terms to 12 years and making healthcare a universal right. If elected, Steyer’s site says he will declare climate change a national emergency.
Right now, nine candidates qualify for next month’s Democratic debate: former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Cory Booker, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Kamala Harris, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Beto O’Rourke, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and entrepreneur Andrew Yang. Candidates have until August 28 to hit the qualification requirements.
2020 Presidential Contenders: Everyone Who's Challenging Donald Trump So Far (Photos)
There are still over 16 months to go until the 2020 presidential election, but the competition to *maybe* replace Donald Trump in the White House is already stiff.
It's a lot to keep track of, but we're here to help. Here's TheWrap's list of everyone who is running for president so far.
Joe Biden - Democratic Party
Entered Race: April 25, 2019
The former Obama VP was a late entry to the race, formally declaring his run for the presidency on April 25. But he's long been a presumed frontrunner, leading many early polls. This is his third presidential run, and for months he's been telling anyone who'll listen that he'd be the most qualified candidate for the job. He's also already been under scrutiny over criticism about his behavior with women, prompting him to post a video promising he'd be "more mindful and respectful" of a woman's "personal space."
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Beto O'Rourke - Democratic Party
Entered Race: March 14, 2019
The former congressman from El Paso, Texas, announced he is running for president on March 14, saying: "This is a defining moment of truth for this country and for every single one of us," and that the challenges have never been greater. "They will either consume us, or they will afford us the greatest opportunity to unleash the genius of the United States of America," he added. O'Rourke has already made a name for himself as a record-breaking fundraiser, the subject of an HBO documentary and a favorite among Hollywood elite.
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Bernie Sanders - Democratic Party
Entered Race: Feb. 19, 2019
Bernie Sanders, the runner-up in the 2016 contest for the Democratic nomination, has recorded a campaign video in which he says he is running for president in 2020, according to a report in Politico.
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Elizabeth Warren - Democratic Party
Entered Race: Feb. 9, 2019
The Massachusetts Senator formally announced her candidacy on Feb. 9 at a rally in her home state, and shortly after followed up with a tweet that read: "I believe in an America of opportunity. My daddy ended up as a janitor, but his little girl got the chance to be a public school teacher, a college professor, a United States Senator – and a candidate for President of the United States. #Warren2020."
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Tulsi Gabbard - Democratic Party
Entered Race: Jan. 11, 2019
Gabbard, a U.S. Representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district, endorsed Bernie Sanders in 2016, but in 2020 she's all-in on herself. Gabbard is running on immigration and criminal justice reform.
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Julián Castro - Democratic Party
Entered Race: Jan. 12, 2019
The former mayor of San Antonio -- and former Obama cabinet member -- supports immigration reform and eliminating lead poisoning.
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Kirsten Gillibrand - Democratic Party
Entered Race: Jan. 15, 2019
The Senator from New York announced her bid Tuesday, Jan. 15 on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert." Gillibrand, whose campaign slogan is "Brave Wins," supports paid family leave and protecting women's rights.
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Kamala Harris - Democratic Party
Entered Race: Jan. 21, 2019
The California senator announced her bid for the presidency on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 21, while appearing on ABC’s "Good Morning America." As a possible indication of her chances, her January CNN town hall was the network's highest rated single presidential candidate town hall ever. Harris is pro Medicare-for-all and raising teacher pay.
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Pete Buttegieg - Democratic Party
Entered Race: April 14, 2019
The 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana would become the first openly gay presidential nominee from a major political party. Buttigieg's platform includes a plan to further empower Black America and economic reform.
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Cory Booker - Democratic Party
Entered Race: Feb. 1, 2019
The New Jersey senator and former mayor of Newark formally tossed his name into the presidential hat on Feb. 1, the first day of Black History Month. Booker plans to end mass incarceration if he were to be elected president.
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Marianne Williamson - Democratic Party
Entered Race: Jan. 28, 2019
The "Healing the Soul of America" author and founder of Project Angel Food announced her candidacy during a political rally at the Saban Theater in Los Angeles on Jan. 28. If elected president, Williamson would be in favor of reparations and "economic justice for women and children."
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Andrew Yang - Democratic Party
Entered Race: Nov. 6, 2017
The entrepreneur and son of immigrant parents from Taiwan became a contender a year ago, telling The New York Times that he will advocate for a universal basic income.
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John Delaney - Democratic Party
Entered Race: July 28, 2017
The U.S. Representative for Maryland's 6th district declared back in July 2017. He says he'll "end reckless trade wars and expand trade," "create a universal health care system" and "launch a national AI strategy."
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Amy Klobuchar - Democratic Party
Entered Race: Feb. 10, 2019
The Minnesota Democrat, first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006, announced her bid on Feb. 10, 2019, saying that she wanted to work for "everyone who wanted their work recognized." Klobuchar's key issues she wants to tackle if elected president include revising voting rights protections and prioritizing cybersecurity.
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Jay Inslee - Democratic Party
Entered Race: March 1, 2019
The Governor of Washington is running on a platform focused on climate change, proposing a "100% Clean Energy for America Plan" that would see emissions drop to zero by 2035.
John Hickenlooper
Entered Race: March 4, 2019
The former Colorado governor supports stricter gun control laws and free trade.
Michael Bennet - Democratic Party
Entered Race: May 2, 2019
The Colorado senator has been a vocal supporter on advancing the field of artificial intelligence and expanding the Child Tax Credit.
The billionaire and climate change activist entered the race in July, saying in a video "if you think that there's something absolutely critical, try as hard as you can and let the chips fall where they may. And that's exactly what I'm doing. My name's Tom Steyer, and I'm running for president."
Joe Sestak - Democratic Party
Entered Race: June 23, 2019
The former Pennsylvania Congressman has a plan for America that includes investing in American manufacturing and strengthening antitrust laws.
Bill De Blasio - Democratic Party
Entered Race: May 16, 2019
The New York City mayor is looking for more taxes for the wealthy and regulating "gig jobs" under his proposed Universal Labor Standards if he were to be presdient.
Steve Bullock - Democratic Party
Entered Race: May 14, 2019
The Montana governor supports universal health care and immigration reform.
The Massachusetts congressman and Iraq War veteran is a proponent of promoting mental health, investing in cyber weapons in wartime efforts and the Green New Deal.
Eric Swalwell
Entered Race: April 8, 2019
Dropped Out: July 8, 2019
The California congressman's wrote in a statement on his campaign's website on his decision to bow out of the 2020 presidential race: " I’ll never forget the people I met and lessons I learned while travelling [sic] around our great nation – especially in the communities most affected by gun violence."
Honorable Mention: Howard Schultz - Independent
Like Biden, the former Starbucks CEO hasn't formally declared, but he's teased a possible run as an independent on the book tour for his autobiography. Given widespread fears that a third party candidate could help ensure a Trump victory, so far Schultz's hypothetical candidacy isn't going over well, according to a recent poll.
On June 12, Shultz reportedly suspended his campaigning until after Labor Day, citing medical issues.
Schultz is a co-founder of the venture capital firm Maveron, which is an investor in TheWrap.
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The crop of candidates includes Joe Biden, Beto O’Rourke, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris and more
There are still over 16 months to go until the 2020 presidential election, but the competition to *maybe* replace Donald Trump in the White House is already stiff.
It's a lot to keep track of, but we're here to help. Here's TheWrap's list of everyone who is running for president so far.
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