The 2024 US election, which went to the polls on Tuesday, is set to become the most expensive in history, with total contributions reaching $15.9 billion.

The spending, which includes congressional contests, will surpass the $15.1 billion spent in 2020 and more than double 2016's $6.5 billion, according to nonprofit OpenSecrets.

In the hotly contested presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as the fundraising leader.&nbsp;

Her campaign directly raised over $1 billion, with 40 per cent coming from small donors, plus an additional $586 million from supporting political action committees.

Watch:&nbsp;US Elections: How will the US elections impact India-US relations?

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Donald Trump's campaign raised $382 million directly, with 28 per cent from small donors, while affiliated committees contributed $694 million.

The largest donor was Timothy Mellon, the reclusive 82-year-old banking heir who contributed $197 million to Trump and Republican causes.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjL7NL3l8aJAxXMUGcHHaodJN0QxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-presidential-election-2024-how-it-will-impact-foreign-policy-772366" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-presidential-election-2024-how-it-will-impact-foreign-policy-772366&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjL7NL3l8aJAxXMUGcHHaodJN0QxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">US Presidential Election 2024: How it will impact foreign policy?</a>

Other major Republican supporters included Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein from the packaging industry, casino magnate Miriam Adelson, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, and hedge fund investor Kenneth Griffin -- each contributing over $100 million to Trump and Republican causes.

On the Democratic side, Michael Bloomberg has emerged as the leading donor, contributing about $93 million ($43 million initially, plus a reported additional $50 million).&nbsp;

George Soros provided $56 million through his political action committee.

Altogether, $10.5 billion has been spent on campaign ads for races from president down to local officials, according to data compiled by the ad tracking firm AdImpact.

The Harris and Trump presidential campaigns spent $2.6 billion on ads from March through November 1. Democrats spent $1.6 billion, while Republicans invested $993 million.&nbsp;

Themes hammered home in Harris' ads have been taxation, abortion rights, the economy and healthcare. Trump ads have mainly underlined immigration, inflation, crime, taxation, as well as the economy.

Pennsylvania led swing state spending for the presidential contest at $264 million, followed by Michigan at $151 million and Georgia at $137 million.

Overall, Pennsylvania saw an eye-watering $1.2 billion on all races, all the way down to local officials, in the cycle.

Despite the shift to online entertainment, digital platforms received $419 million in presidential advertising, representing only 17 per cent of total spending.&nbsp;

On Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram, Democrats outspent Republicans $132.4 million to $24.7 million, while on X, Republicans led spending $1.1 million to Democrats' $150,000,&nbsp;AdImpact&nbsp;said.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

The 2024 US election, which went to the polls on Tuesday, is set to become the most expensive in history, with total contributions reaching $15.9 billion. The spending, which includes congressional contests, will surpass the $15.

The 2024 US election, which went to the polls on Tuesday, is set to become the most expensive in history, with total contributions reaching $15.9 billion. The spending, which includes congressional contests, will surpass the $15.1 billion spent in 2020 and more than double 2016's $6.5 billion, according to nonprofit OpenSecrets. In the hotly contested presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as the fundraising leader. Her campaign directly raised over $1 billion, with 40 per cent coming from small donors, plus an additional $586 million from supporting political action committees. Watch: US Elections: How will the US elections impact India-US relations? × Donald Trump's campaign raised $382 million directly, with 28 per cent from small donors, while affiliated committees contributed $694 million. The largest donor was Timothy Mellon, the reclusive 82-year-old banking heir who contributed $197 million to Trump and Republican causes. Also read: US Presidential Election 2024: How it will impact foreign policy? Other major Republican supporters included Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein from the packaging industry, casino magnate Miriam Adelson, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, and hedge fund investor Kenneth Griffin -- each contributing over $100 million to Trump and Republican causes. On the Democratic side, Michael Bloomberg has emerged as the leading donor, contributing about $93 million ($43 million initially, plus a reported additional $50 million). George Soros provided $56 million through his political action committee. Altogether, $10.5 billion has been spent on campaign ads for races from president down to local officials, according to data compiled by the ad tracking firm AdImpact. The Harris and Trump presidential campaigns spent $2.6 billion on ads from March through November 1. Democrats spent $1.6 billion, while Republicans invested $993 million. Themes hammered home in Harris' ads have been taxation, abortion rights, the economy and healthcare. Trump ads have mainly underlined immigration, inflation, crime, taxation, as well as the economy. Pennsylvania led swing state spending for the presidential contest at $264 million, followed by Michigan at $151 million and Georgia at $137 million. Overall, Pennsylvania saw an eye-watering $1.2 billion on all races, all the way down to local officials, in the cycle. Despite the shift to online entertainment, digital platforms received $419 million in presidential advertising, representing only 17 per cent of total spending. On Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram, Democrats outspent Republicans $132.4 million to $24.7 million, while on X, Republicans led spending $1.1 million to Democrats' $150,000, AdImpact said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

US elections 2024: $15.9bn spent on campaigns in most expensive polls in country's history

The United States 2024 presidential elections will be held on November 5. Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump are in the ring fighting it out in the last minutes. Here are the key issues that the people of the country would be voting on.

Economy, immigration, violence, abortion rights, and health care are some of the main issues Americans&nbsp;always have on their minds when choosing the next president. However, some of them have been given extra weightage by the voters. The issues and their importance also vary between Democratic and Republican voters.

According to Pew Research, the biggest issue in the 2024 elections is the economy. About eight-in-ten registered voters (81 per cent) say the economy will be the foremost on their mind in the 2024 presidential election.&nbsp;

When it comes to Trump supporters, the economy scores the most with 93 per cent of people saying it is a major factor. Next comes immigration with 82 per cent and violent crime with 76 per cent. Only 18 per cent of Trump supporters cited racial and ethnic inequality as an important issue. Climate change was the lowest in the world with 11 per cent.

Among Harris supporters, health care scores the most with 76 per cent of people being the most concerned about it. Supreme Court appointments follow closely next with 73 per cent. Economy (68%) and abortion (67%) are the next big matter Democratic voters will be thinking about while casting their vote.

A majority of voters have several issues on their minds this election. Only five per cent have one or no issue.

<h2>Immigration and Abortion</h2>

Immigration has become a bigger issue this election as compared to the 2020 election. About six in ten voters (61 per cent) say immigration is very important, an increase of nine percentage points from the 2020 polls. It is a bigger issue for Republican voters (82%) as compared to Democratic&nbsp;supporters (39%).

The issue of abortion rights has seen the biggest jump this year. In 2020, fewer than half of voters (40%) said it was an important issue, with Republicans being more concerned about it.&nbsp;

However, after the overturning of Roe v&nbsp;Wade in 2022, 67 per cent&nbsp;of Harris supporters call the issue very important, nearly double what Biden voters said in 2020 (35%).

When it comes to law enforcement and criminal justice issues, people seem to trust Trump more to implement them, with 51 per cent favouring Trump and 47 per cent voters showing confidence in Harris.

The United States 2024 presidential elections will be held on November 5. Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump are in the ring fighting it out in the last minutes.

The United States 2024 presidential elections will be held on November 5. Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump are in the ring fighting it out in the last minutes. Here are the key issues that the people of the country would be voting on. Economy, immigration, violence, abortion rights, and health care are some of the main issues Americans always have on their minds when choosing the next president. However, some of them have been given extra weightage by the voters. The issues and their importance also vary between Democratic and Republican voters. According to Pew Research, the biggest issue in the 2024 elections is the economy. About eight-in-ten registered voters (81 per cent) say the economy will be the foremost on their mind in the 2024 presidential election. When it comes to Trump supporters, the economy scores the most with 93 per cent of people saying it is a major factor. Next comes immigration with 82 per cent and violent crime with 76 per cent. Only 18 per cent of Trump supporters cited racial and ethnic inequality as an important issue. Climate change was the lowest in the world with 11 per cent. Among Harris supporters, health care scores the most with 76 per cent of people being the most concerned about it. Supreme Court appointments follow closely next with 73 per cent. Economy (68%) and abortion (67%) are the next big matter Democratic voters will be thinking about while casting their vote. A majority of voters have several issues on their minds this election. Only five per cent have one or no issue. Immigration and Abortion Immigration has become a bigger issue this election as compared to the 2020 election. About six in ten voters (61 per cent) say immigration is very important, an increase of nine percentage points from the 2020 polls. It is a bigger issue for Republican voters (82%) as compared to Democratic supporters (39%). The issue of abortion rights has seen the biggest jump this year. In 2020, fewer than half of voters (40%) said it was an important issue, with Republicans being more concerned about it. However, after the overturning of Roe v Wade in 2022, 67 per cent of Harris supporters call the issue very important, nearly double what Biden voters said in 2020 (35%). When it comes to law enforcement and criminal justice issues, people seem to trust Trump more to implement them, with 51 per cent favouring Trump and 47 per cent voters showing confidence in Harris.

US Presidential Election 2024: Key issues Americans will be voting on

With Donald Trump running for re-election, the 2020 U.S. presidential election was always expected to be a dramatic and eventful ride. But nobody predicted a global pandemic that would upend every facet of the campaign. Here are 10 pivotal moments from a dizzying election year.

Ten moments that defined the 2020 U.S. presidential campaign

In just 15 days from now, United States will seal it's fate for the next 4 years. President Donald Trump and Democrat Presidential nominee Joe Biden have hit the campaigning round running.

US Election 2020: Candidates' campaigning round starts, visit to churches ahead of polls

It keeps getting complicated by the day with Kanye West and news of the US Election. The rapper has now denied being in “cahoots” with the Republican party to draw votes away from Donald Trump’s competition, Joe Biden.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/republicans-nominate-donald-trump-for-second-term-to-take-on-biden-in-the-fall-322842" hreflang="en">Republicans nominate Donald Trump for second term, to take on Biden in the fall</a>

Charges were levelled against Kanye recently as people said that the Republicans had paid Kanye West to run for president to help Donald Trump’s case. Denying these charges, Kanye said that he has “more money than Trump” and so no one could buy him.&nbsp;

Speaking on fellow rapper Nick Cannon's podcast, ‘Cannon's Class’, he admitted there were rumours that he and the president's party were "in cahoots".

Kanye said, "People keep on saying, 'I think that y'all - you and Republicans - are in cahoots'. Bro, can't nobody pay me. I've got more money than Trump."

Nick Cannon said, "But people are saying that you're a distraction, and because they don't want four more years of Trump, maybe you might. You want an alternative of four years of Ye. Is that realistic right now in 2020?"

To this, the rapper said, "I'm not running for president - I'm walking."

West announced he was running for the highest office in the US in early July, tweeting that "we must now realise the promise of America".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-timeline-romance-marriage-and-scandals-315240">Kanye West &amp; Kim Kardashian timeline: Romance, marriage and scandals</a>

A few days later he said he had "lost confidence" in Mr Trump and then announced that he was running as an independent under the banner of The Birthday Party - "because when we win, it's everybody's birthday".

Many have, however, not taken his campaign seriously as he missed the cut-off date for the presidential ballot in South Carolina. He also failed to make the ballot in his home state of Illinois, Wisconsin and Montana. In Ohio, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/kanye-west-sues-election-head-after-being-deemed-unqualified-as-an-independent-candidate-323314">he sued the state's election chief</a> to try to get on the ballot there after being deemed unqualified as an independent candidate.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/kanye-west-posts-rambling-tweets-on-wife-kim-kardashian-then-deletes-315138">Kanye West posts rambling tweets on wife Kim Kardashian, then deletes</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/kanye-west-sued-by-tech-company-for-breach-of-contract-323135">Kanye West sued by tech company for breach of contract</a>

It keeps getting complicated by the day with Kanye West and news of the US Election. The rapper has now denied being in “cahoots” with the Republican party to draw votes away from Donald Trump’s competition, Joe Biden.

It keeps getting complicated by the day with Kanye West and news of the US Election. The rapper has now denied being in “cahoots” with the Republican party to draw votes away from Donald Trump’s competition, Joe Biden. Republicans nominate Donald Trump for second term, to take on Biden in the fall Charges were levelled against Kanye recently as people said that the Republicans had paid Kanye West to run for president to help Donald Trump’s case. Denying these charges, Kanye said that he has “more money than Trump” and so no one could buy him. Speaking on fellow rapper Nick Cannon's podcast, ‘Cannon's Class’, he admitted there were rumours that he and the president's party were "in cahoots". Kanye said, "People keep on saying, 'I think that y'all - you and Republicans - are in cahoots'. Bro, can't nobody pay me. I've got more money than Trump." Nick Cannon said, "But people are saying that you're a distraction, and because they don't want four more years of Trump, maybe you might. You want an alternative of four years of Ye. Is that realistic right now in 2020?" To this, the rapper said, "I'm not running for president - I'm walking." West announced he was running for the highest office in the US in early July, tweeting that "we must now realise the promise of America". Kanye West & Kim Kardashian timeline: Romance, marriage and scandals A few days later he said he had "lost confidence" in Mr Trump and then announced that he was running as an independent under the banner of The Birthday Party - "because when we win, it's everybody's birthday". Many have, however, not taken his campaign seriously as he missed the cut-off date for the presidential ballot in South Carolina. He also failed to make the ballot in his home state of Illinois, Wisconsin and Montana. In Ohio, he sued the state's election chief to try to get on the ballot there after being deemed unqualified as an independent candidate. Kanye West posts rambling tweets on wife Kim Kardashian, then deletes Kanye West sued by tech company for breach of contract

US Election 2020: Kanye West denies being paid by Republicans to run for president

The Democratic presidential contenders begin a frantic dash for votes on Thursday after a fiery debate featuring a volley of attacks on big-spending billionaire Michael Bloomberg, who was making his debut on the national debate stage.

The Democratic presidential contenders begin a frantic dash for votes on Thursday after a fiery debate featuring a volley of attacks on big-spending billionaire Michael Bloomberg, who was making his debut on the national debate stage. With two days to go before the presidential caucuses in Nevada and contests looming in 14 states on Super Tuesday on March 3, including California, Utah and Colorado, the candidates will scatter across those four states for rallies and get-out-the-vote events. The intensity of the unsettled Democratic race was evident in Wednesday's debate, which featured repeated attacks on Bloomberg for his record on race, history of sexist comments and use of his fortune to push his way up the polls. Also Read: Mike Bloomberg qualifies for next debate, and rivals are getting ready The former New York City mayor, who has been rising fast in polls since he joined the race in November, seemed uncomfortable and hesitant at times in his first debate. He defended his record and argued he had the best chance of beating Republican President Donald Trump in the November 3 election. Rivals Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg all jumped at the chance to go after the media mogul, who has surged in polls by spending hundreds of millions of dollars out of his pocket on an advertising blitz. They criticized Bloomberg, who has been accused over the years of sexist comments, for his treatment of women as well as his support while mayor of "stop-and-frisk" police policies that ensnared disproportionate numbers of blacks and Latinos. The candidates also accused Bloomberg of trying to buy his way into the White House and said his record as mayor and businessman was not good enough to beat Trump. "Democrats take a huge risk if we just substitute one arrogant billionaire for another," said Warren, a senator from Massachusetts who had her most aggressive debate. Nevada's caucuses are the third contest in the state-by-state race to find a challenger to Trump. South Carolina holds its primary on February 29. Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has a town hall meeting and a fundraiser scheduled in Los Angeles, and Bloomberg has a morning event in Utah. Warren and Biden will have a town hall that airs on CNN on Thursday night from Las Vegas. Klobuchar, a senator from Minnesota, has a campaign event in Colorado. Bloomberg entered the race in November and is skipping the early voting states in February. Trump delivered his judgment on Bloomberg's performance with a tweet late on Wednesday: "He was stumbling, bumbling and grossly incompetent. If this doesn’t knock him out of the race, nothing will."

After fiery debate attacks on Bloomberg, Democrats scatter on campaign trail

Former US Vice President Joe Biden on Saturday criticized the conduct of online supporters of Senator Bernie Sanders, saying his rival for the Democratic nomination for president has "some accountability.

Former US Vice President Joe Biden on Saturday criticized the conduct of online supporters of Senator Bernie Sanders, saying his rival for the Democratic nomination for president has "some accountability." Biden, in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press," waded into a spat between Sanders supporters and leaders of The Culinary Union, a powerful labour group in Nevada that has been critical of the senator's healthcare proposals. Nevada holds the next nominating contest in the Democratic presidential primary. "He may not be responsible for it but he has some accountability," Biden said in the interview that will air on Sunday morning. Also Read: Trump mocks 'communist' Bernie and 'Sleepy Joe' before Iowa "If any of my supporters did that, I'd disown them. Flat disown them. The stuff that was said online, the way they threatened these two women who are leaders in that Culinary Union. It is outrageous." Biden has watched his standing in opinion polls slide as Sanders has risen to secure front-runner status. The Culinary Workers Union said supporters of Sanders "viciously" attacked the organization via Twitter, text, voicemail and direct messaging after the union criticized the senator's universal healthcare plan on Tuesday. [ Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate and former US vice president Joe Biden at a campaign event (Courtesy: Reuters ] Sanders, in turn, called for an end to all online harassment but stopped short of acknowledging that the attacks were coming from his supporters. Instead, Sanders suggested in an interview on "PBS NewsHour" on Thursday that the attacks might be coming from people posing as his supporters. "And I'm not so sure, to be honest with you, that they are necessarily part of our movement," Sanders said.

'Disown them:' Biden criticizes Sanders for supporters' online attacks

Facebook said Wednesday it would tighten its rules for political ad spending ahead of the 2020 US elections, notably by requiring more information about who is paying for campaign messages.

Facebook tightens rules on political ads

USA: Democrats launch new 'Trump probe'

The Afghan conflict is now in its 16th year but finds little mention in the US presidential election campaign. Even a NATO airstrike in north western Kunduz province of Afghanistan which killed 30 civilians including women and children merited no mention. It underscored the point that the news from Afghanistan is uniformly negative.

Reports say that 33 of that country&#39;s 400 districts are under Taliban control.&nbsp;Hundreds of schools, homes and businesses have been destroyed in fighting with nearly 160,000 civilians displaced by the conflict in the first six months of this year.

The Afghan National Army is at 87 per cent of its authorised strength but desertions currently at 33 per cent are rising.

Worse still, the Taliban is now expanding into areas in the north where they never had a base from Kunduz to Takhar and Badakshan. The Taliban are spreading out, plundering mines for semi-precious stones that are sold to fund their movement.

Peace initiatives have floundered in the face of Pakistan&#39;s determination to be the sole arbiter in Kabul. A recent report of the Taliban secretly meeting representatives of the Afghan government saw Islamabad respond with a warning that the Taliban leadership and their families would be denied any further sanctuary in Pakistan if they tried to cut the latter out.

(WION)

It underscored the point that the news from Afghanistan is uniformly negative

The Afghan conflict is now in its 16th year but finds little mention in the US presidential election campaign. Even a NATO airstrike in north western Kunduz province of Afghanistan which killed 30 civilians including women and children merited no mention. It underscored the point that the news from Afghanistan is uniformly negative. Reports say that 33 of that country's 400 districts are under Taliban control. Hundreds of schools, homes and businesses have been destroyed in fighting with nearly 160,000 civilians displaced by the conflict in the first six months of this year. The Afghan National Army is at 87 per cent of its authorised strength but desertions currently at 33 per cent are rising. Worse still, the Taliban is now expanding into areas in the north where they never had a base from Kunduz to Takhar and Badakshan. The Taliban are spreading out, plundering mines for semi-precious stones that are sold to fund their movement. Peace initiatives have floundered in the face of Pakistan's determination to be the sole arbiter in Kabul. A recent report of the Taliban secretly meeting representatives of the Afghan government saw Islamabad respond with a warning that the Taliban leadership and their families would be denied any further sanctuary in Pakistan if they tried to cut the latter out. (WION)