DeSantis Raises $8.2 Million in 24 Hours, Launches Presidential Bid on Twitter Spaces with Elon Musk

Ron DeSantis, the Governor of Florida, raised $8.2 million in the first 24 hours of his presidential campaign, cementing his position as the leading Republican rival to Donald Trump. The sum is more than what Joe Biden and Beto O'Rourke raised in their first 24 hours as candidates. The funds will finance DeSantis's growing political operation and aggressive travel schedule. The campaign can raise $3,300 per donor for both the primary and general election. The sum does not include any of the funds that the pro-DeSantis super PAC, Never Back Down, has raised in recent months.