Donald Trump isn't rich enough to defeat Hillary Clinton

If you think Donald Trump has enough cash to compete in the general election, I've got a line of steaks to sell you

And *poof* it was gone.
(Image credit: Illustrated | Image courtesy Lightboxx / Alamy Stock Photo)

"I don't need anybody's money," Donald Trump said when he announced his candidacy for president last June. "I'm using my own money. I'm not using lobbyists, I'm not using donors. I don't care. I'm really rich." In fact, the precise degree of Trump's wealth is a matter of some dispute. But as he transitions from the primaries to the general election, Donald Trump may be facing a serious money problem.

The simple reason is that the general election exists on a far different scale than the primaries. Trump has managed something unusual until now: He has run a campaign based largely on free media coverage and big rallies, as opposed to expensive TV ads and campaign staff. According to data collected by the Center for Responsive Politics, as of two weeks ago, Trump had spent $46 million on his campaign, significantly less than the $70 million Ted Cruz spent, not to mention the more than $150 million spent by Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders — each.

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Paul Waldman

Paul Waldman is a senior writer with The American Prospect magazine and a blogger for The Washington Post. His writing has appeared in dozens of newspapers, magazines, and web sites, and he is the author or co-author of four books on media and politics.