Politics · United States · 3 hrs ago
Bloomberg pledges $80m for Democrats as Trump backs Republicans with $400m
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg plans to spend $80m to support Democratic candidates in the US midterm elections.
President Donald Trump says he intends to spend $400m to help Republicans, with $300m already distributed.
The election is two weeks away, and control of Congress is at stake.
Republicans currently hold the House, and Bloomberg’s adviser says he wants Democrats to win more than the 218 seats needed for a majority.
Democrats also hope to gain the four Senate seats needed to take control, but analysts say that contest could go either way.
A Democratic majority could block Trump’s agenda and lead to more investigations of his administration; control of the Senate could also let Democrats reject his nominees for federal judgeships.
Voters will decide which party controls Congress in the midterm elections.
Michael Bloomberg plans to spend $80 million to help Democratic candidates in the midterm elections, while President Donald Trump says he intends to spend $400 million to aid Republicans.
The Guardian reports that Trump has already disbursed $300 million, while CBS News describes his planned spending as more than $400 million.
Bloomberg’s contributions were made in September and October and are focused particularly on helping Democrats win control of the House.
Bloomberg political adviser Howard Wolfson said the goal is a Democratic House majority larger than the 218 seats needed for control.
Democrats are also seeking to gain four seats to take control of the Senate.
- Who
- Michael Bloomberg and President Donald Trump are backing Democratic and Republican candidates, respectively.
- What
- Bloomberg plans to spend $80 million for Democrats; Trump says he intends to spend $400 million to aid Republicans. CBS News reports Trump plans to spend more than $400 million.
- When
- The announcements were reported on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Bloomberg’s contributions were made in September and October.
- Where
- The spending is for US midterm election races, including House and Senate contests.
- Why
- Bloomberg is focused particularly on helping Democrats win the House; Trump says he plans to support Republican candidates. Trump’s stated reason is Not stated.
Michael Bloomberg and Democratic candidates
Donald Trump and Republican candidates
Spending
Michael Bloomberg and Democratic candidates
Bloomberg plans to spend $80 million to help Democratic candidates.
Donald Trump and Republican candidates
Trump intends to spend $400 million to aid Republican candidates; CBS News says more than $400 million.
House control
Michael Bloomberg and Democratic candidates
Bloomberg’s contributions are particularly focused on Democrats seeking to flip the House, with a goal of a majority larger than 218 seats.
Donald Trump and Republican candidates
Trump is spending to help Republican candidates; the articles do not state a specific House-control goal for him.
Bloomberg made contributions to Democratic candidates and groups, according to the New York Times as reported by the Guardian.
Trump announced that he intended to spend a total of $400 million to aid Republican candidates, with $300 million already disbursed.
Reports said Bloomberg would spend $80 million to help Democratic candidates in the midterm elections.
- Bloomberg’s planned spending
- $80 million
- Trump’s planned spending
- $400 million, according to the Guardian; more than $400 million, according to CBS News
- Trump spending already disbursed
- $300 million
- House majority threshold
- 218 seats
- Bloomberg donation to Everytown for Gun Safety
- $24 million
- Bloomberg donation to House Majority Pac
- $16 million
2 sources
What people are saying
The difference between 221 and 230, in terms of the House majority, really matters.
He is of the view that resources matter in campaigns.
expects a result