Trump campaign, RNC raise record amount in third quarter — nearly doubling Obama's reelection campaign

President Donald Trump's reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee combined to raise a record-setting amount of money in the third quarter of 2019, widening the financial gap between the GOP and the Democratic Party leading into the 2020 election.

In the third quarter, the campaign and the RNC raised $125 million, bringing the 2019 total to $308 million and giving them $156 million in the bank.

For some context of just how massive that amount is, former President Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign, combined with the Democratic National Committee, raised $70.1 million in the third quarter of 2011 — and a HuffPost report at the time described the amount by saying Obama "continues to dominate in fundraising."

The Trump reelection effort was already well-funded, but it received a significant boost when the Democratic Party officially opened up an impeachment inquiry into the president. In the two days after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced the impeachment inquiry, the Trump campaign raised $8.5 million in online donations.

According to financial disclosure reports, the DNC only had $8.2 million in the bank at the end of August. From The Associated Press:

"President Trump has built a juggernaut of a campaign, raising record amounts of money at a record pace," said Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale.

RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel credited Democratic attacks on Trump for motivating supporters to donate in record numbers.

"We are investing millions on the airwaves and on the ground to hold House Democrats accountable, highlight their obstruction, and take back the House and reelect President Trump in 2020," she said.

Democratic presidential candidates have begun releasing their third quarter fundraising numbers, which are obviously lower than the Trump campaign's due to them splitting with numerous other competitors.

Of candidates who have released the numbers so far, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) leads the way with $25.3 million, followed by South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg at $19.1 million, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) with $11.6 million, and Andrew Yang with $10 million.

Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have not released third quarter numbers yet.

(H/T: Hot Air)