In a stunning financial twist, Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign ended its unsuccessful White House bid $20 million into debt.

The Harris campaign's debt accumulated despite the fact that it raised over $1 billion throughout the course of the candidate's presidential run, as Breitbart reports.

The campaign, once flush with cash, reported having $118 million in the bank by mid-October, as noted by Christopher Cadelago, Politico’s California bureau chief. This report came as a shock to many who were following the campaign's previously reported financial health.

However, a campaign staffer revealed to Breitbart News the severity of the debt, attributing it largely to decisions made by Jen O’Malley Dillon, Harris' campaign chair. This staffer criticized Dillon's management style and decision-making processes.

The campaign’s financial strategy involved significant expenditures on high-profile celebrity concerts, including artists like Katy Perry and Bruce Springsteen, all orchestrated by Dillon.

High Spending on Celebrity Concerts Led to Financial Shortfall

These celebrity-led events were intended to boost campaign visibility and enthusiasm but may have diverted funds from other critical campaign activities. Notably, the campaign prioritized these expensive events over more traditional and possibly more effective methods like social media campaigning.

The decision to focus on such concerts has been a point of contention within the campaign. Staffers expressed their discontent with Dillon’s approach, feeling it overshadowed other strategic campaign needs.

Further compounding the campaign's financial issues were reports of overdue payments to staff members who had worked during the presidential run, adding to a sense of internal frustration and financial mismanagement.

Campaign Staff Express Discontent with Management

Staffers’ frustrations were deep-seated, with many feeling that Harris was not given the freedom to lead her campaign as she saw fit.

Instead, strategies that had been used in Joe Biden’s previous campaign were being replicated, which did not resonate as well with Harris’s own vision.

One staffer described O’Malley Dillon as "obnoxious and very much a gatekeeper," interfering with dedicated team members trying to effectively support the vice president.

This internal turmoil and the resulting financial strain led to considerations of selling assets such as the Kamala fundraising email list. Rob Flaherty, deputy campaign manager, has reportedly been exploring this option in efforts to recoup some of the financial losses.

Attempts to Recoup Losses Through Asset Sales

According to Breitbart News, outsiders have also commented on the campaign’s financial management. Kaelan Dorr from MAGA Inc. pointed out the odd financial practices he observed, particularly in the Harris campaign’s handling of media buys.

Dorr noted incidents where the campaign had to issue multiple checks on the same day to cover advertising expenses in Tennessee, a symptom of deeper cash flow issues.

The situation raises questions about the overall strategic financial management of Harris’s campaign, especially in light of the decisions to invest heavily in celebrity endorsements and concerts.

Financial Strategy Criticized Amid Campaign Woes

The campaign's financial debacle has highlighted the challenges of balancing high-impact, high-cost campaign strategies with the practicalities of campaign finance and resource management.

As the campaign grapples with this substantial debt, the decisions made by its management team, particularly by Jen O’Malley Dillon, remain under scrutiny.

This situation serves as a cautionary tale for future campaigns on the risks associated with heavy spending on high-profile campaign tactics, which may not always yield proportional benefits.