Trump campaign to air first general election ads in swing states
Donald Trump’s campaign will launch its first general election television ads in key battleground states this week, according to the campaign.
The campaign confirmed to CBS News that the ad buy is set for Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania -- traditional swing states that will play an important role in deciding a general election winner.
The ad campaign comes just as Trump has seen his support plummet in those battlegrounds in recent polls. According a CBS News survey out earlier this week, Clinton now leads Trump in Florida by five points (she led by just three points in June). And a RealClearPolitics (RCP) average of Pennsylvania polls finds Clinton leading Trump 49 percent to 40 percent. An RCP average of Ohio polls shows Clinton is ahead by about three points. In North Carolina, a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News/Marist poll showed the GOP nominee struggling to catch up to Clinton’s nine-point lead.
With less than 90 days until the general election, Trump had still spent nothing on television ads, despite the campaign’s expanded fundraising efforts. Outside groups backing Trump have spent about $8 million on advertising thus far.
Trump’s frugal campaign has served as a point of pride for the billionaire.
Back in June, the Republican candidate seemed to brag at a campaign rally that he was doing just fine without spending ad dollars.
“I don’t even know why I need so much money,” Trump told a crowd in Maine. “I go around, I make speeches, I talk to reporters. I don’t even need commercials, if you want to know the truth.”
Hillary Clinton’s campaign, in contrast, has spent about $60 million on general election ads. Coupled with the over $40 million pro-Clinton groups have thrown at television spots, the Democratic nominee’s bid for the presidency is far outspending her rival.
The Trump campaign did not disclose how much it would be spending on this initial buy.
CBS News’ Arden Farhi contributed to this report.