ABSTRACT
Donald Trump's unorthodox candidacy defied much of the conventional wisdom regarding money and politics. At time when fundraising success is considered essential to a presidential candidacy and a sign of a challenger's viability, Trump dismissed the need to engage in traditional fundraising activities throughout most of the campaign, and was consistently outspent by his opponents. Presidential candidates thus financed their campaigns through contributions from individuals and political action committees (PACs), which are subject to strict contribution limits. Sanders constructed the most successful small donor fundraising campaign in presidential history, which provided him with the resources needed to mount a serious challenge for the nomination. Even though Trump was a member of the donor elite that Sanders pilloried, he too sought to capitalize on the public's disdain for the political status quo and voter concern about the role of money in the political system. Trump thus began the general election in the worst relative financial position of any recent party nominee.
