Kamala Harris breaks record with over $81m donations — day after Biden quit race

Kamala Harris, the United States vice president, has raised more than $81 million, a day after President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race. 

The amount is believed to be the largest 24-hour fundraising in the history of the US presidential campaign.

Former President Donald Trump, who is the Republican Party candidate, raised more than $50 million in 24 hours after his felony conviction in the New York hush money trial.

Biden gathered $38 million in four days after his “unimpressive” debate performance against Trump.

Harris’ new total features donations from hundreds of thousands of first-time donors, the campaign said.

The donations breathe hope into a deflated Democratic Party facing a shaky road to re-election after weeks of trying to get Biden to give up the ticket.

The 81-year-old had insisted he would remain in the race despite growing concerns about his capacity to run the race.

However, the president took Americans by surprise on Sunday when he announced his withdrawal in the interest of the party and the country.

Biden threw his weight behind Harris and urged citizens to put their confidence in her.

The vice-president promised to win and earn nominations from her fellow Democrats.

Although Harris has not been announced as the party’s official candidate, polls have shown she is most favoured to get the Democrat’s ticket.