Donald Trump blamed Republican leaders Tuesday for his lackluster fundraising but said he’s ready to pay his own way to beat Hillary Clinton in November.
“I spent $55 million of my own money to win the primaries,” the likely GOP presidential nominee said on NBC’s “Today” program. “I have a lot cash, and I may do it again in the general election.”
The Trump campaign ended May with less than $1.3 million in the bank, compared to Mrs. Clinton, the likely Democratic nominee, who had $42 million in her campaign war chest, according to the latest reports to the Federal Elections Committee.
Mr. Trump blamed his fund-raising woes on a lack of support from GOP leaders.
“I’m having more difficulty, frankly, with some of the people in the party than I have with the Democrats,” the billionaire businessman said.
Indeed, many GOP leaders remain skeptical of Mr. Trump’s viability as a presidential candidate and fear that his controversial stances, including his plan for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the U.S. to combat terrorist attacks, will drag down the party’s candidates in Senate and House races.
Mr. Trump remained undaunted.
“I understand money better than anybody. I understand it far better than Hillary, and I’m way up on the economy when it comes to questions on the economy,” he said.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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