President Biden has spent more on television ads than former President Donald Trump in the presidential race, with the Democrat’s biggest investments being made in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Arizona.
Mr. Biden and supportive outside groups have funneled $16 million into 20,000 ads on local and national broadcasts since March, according to a breakdown from the Wesleyan Media Project.
The Trump campaign has yet to spend a dime on television ads, while pro-Trump groups have shelled out $8 million for more than 11,000 spots.
“We’re not seeing as many presidential ads as in past cycles, in part, because of relatively uncompetitive nomination races on both the Democratic and Republican sides,” said Travis Ridout, co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project. “Moreover, the campaigns are largely holding back on their television advertising so far from the general election, which is still almost six months away.”
The analysis found that the Biden campaign and groups supporting him had spent most of their money on ads drawing a contrast with Mr. Trump.
Pro-Trump allies, meanwhile, have spent most of their most on ads attacking Mr. Biden.
“The fact that nearly every ad so far in the presidential rematch between Biden and Trump contains an attack is not a surprise,” said Erika Franklin Fowler, the group’s co-director. “The American public is well acquainted with both candidates, and so neither campaign is spending time on the typical biographical spot that would typically be aired after securing the nomination.”
“However, the fact that Biden and Trump are using different types of negativity is interesting and will be something to watch,” she said.
Mr. Biden has spent $4 million in Pennsylvania, $3.3 million in Michigan, and $1.9 million in Arizona, underscoring the importance of those battleground states in his reelection push.
The pro-Trump Make American Great Again, Inc. super PAC has spent $5.6 million in Pennsylvania, $500,000 on national ads, and $200,000 in Georgia.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.