The Kamala Harris presidential campaign, which was said to have raised a record-breaking $1.4 billion, is under fire for ending with up to $20 million in debt despite its historic funding haul.

The fallout has sparked frustration among Harris' donors, staff, and Democrat officials over financial mismanagement, potentially impacting future party fundraising, as the Daily Mail reports.

Historic Fundraising Ends in Financial Struggles

During her 2020 presidential run, Harris secured $1.4 billion, a sum unprecedented in Democratic Party campaign history. Her campaign became the de facto choice for the party in July when Joe Biden withdrew from his own re-election bid and endorsed her candidacy.

Despite the financial advantage, Harris's campaign faltered, ending with a significant debt said to total upwards of $20 million.

This debt has led to lingering frustrations and accusations of mismanagement among those involved in the campaign and within the Democratic Party.

Criticism has also centered around how the funds were spent. An estimated $654 million was allocated to advertising, while $20 million went to concerts and celebrity appearances shortly before Election Day.

Campaign Spending Under Scrutiny

Additional campaign expenditures included $12 million on digital media consultants tasked with engaging social media influencers and $1 million to Harpo Studios for a high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey in October. These costly decisions have been called into question, particularly given the campaign’s ultimate failure to secure any battleground states.

Internal polling misled many supporters into believing Harris had a strong chance to win key swing states. However, on election night, the campaign faced a stunning defeat, losing all battleground states and even struggling in traditional Democratic strongholds.

“How do you raise a historic amount of money and not win a single swing state? The honest answer is: I don’t know,” a Harris campaign aide admitted. This sentiment has been echoed by others, further fueling dissatisfaction.

Financial Fallout Sparks Frustration

As invoices continue to surface, the total financial burden of the campaign may not be fully known until early next year. Concerns are growing that this debt could hinder the Democratic Party’s ability to fundraise effectively for the 2026 midterm elections.

To address the financial shortfall, there have been discussions about selling the campaign’s email list as a possible solution. The use of measure, however, has not yet been confirmed.

Donors and staff alike have expressed their disappointment. One frequent donor lamented feeling misled, while a senior staff member revealed they had not anticipated such a significant loss. “I always knew we could lose. I was never prepared for us to lose the night of the election,” the staffer said.

Backlash Over Continued Fundraising Appeals

The decision to continue soliciting donations to address campaign debt has drawn sharp criticism. A senior official described the effort as “appalling,” while another called it “disgusting.”

Party leaders have also voiced their dismay at the campaign’s handling of funds. Lindy Li, a member of the DNC finance committee, criticized the campaign’s strategy, stating, “We lost all the swing states. We lost in every county in America. This is not some like blip. This is an avalanche.”

Former President Donald Trump weighed in, offering an unexpected statement of support. “Now they are being squeezed by vendors and others. Whatever we can do to help them during this difficult period, I would strongly recommend we, as a Party and for the sake of desperately needed UNITY, do,” he wrote on social media.

Democratic Party Faces Uncertain Future

The implications of the campaign’s financial troubles extend beyond the immediate aftermath of the election. With the midterm elections on the horizon, there is growing concern about the party’s ability to fundraise and organize effectively in the years ahead.

The Harris campaign’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for future candidates and party leaders. Transparent financial management and strategic spending will likely become key priorities as the Democratic Party works to rebuild and address donor concerns.

As the campaign continues to resolve its outstanding debts, the broader impact on the Democratic Party remains to be seen. For many within the party, the lessons learned from this experience will shape future strategies and fundraising efforts.