2024 Presidential Race: A Wealth Hierarchy Among Top Candidates

As America approaches the 2024 presidential election on November 5, the field of hopefuls has narrowed significantly. While the White House salary stands at $400,000 annually, the financial backgrounds of remaining candidates couldn’t be more diverse—ranging from billionaires to those struggling with debt. Understanding Biden’s net worth and comparing it across the candidate pool reveals fascinating patterns about money, power, and political ambition.

The Billionaire: Donald Trump’s Unprecedented Fortune

Donald Trump stands apart from his peers with an estimated net worth of $6.4 billion as of March 2024—a staggering figure that has more than doubled since leaving office. The bulk of this wealth stems from Trump Media & Technology Group, valued at $4.6 billion following its public merger with Digital World Acquisition Group. With 79 million shares in the company, Trump controls a massive media asset built on Truth Social, launched in 2022.

Beyond media ventures, Trump has amassed $1.1 billion in diversified real estate holdings—condos, hotels, commercial properties, and residential lots across the nation. His leisure empire, including clubs and resorts worldwide, contributes another $810 million. Additional holdings include $15 million in private aircraft, $3 million in cryptocurrency, and $2 million in pensions.

The Incumbent: Biden’s Net Worth in the Eight-Figure Range

President Joe Biden maintains a net worth of $10 million—substantially modest compared to Trump but significant for a career politician. His wealth has grown by $2 million since taking office, driven by his presidential salary, appreciating real estate, favorable market conditions, and interest income on investments.

The 2023 tax returns reveal Biden’s income structure: his presidential salary contributed $400,000, while First Lady Jill Biden earned $86,000 as a professor at Northern Virginia Community College plus $4,000 in book royalties. The couple collectively received $55,000 in Social Security, $35,000 from pensions and annuities, and $39,000 in interest. Real estate represents the primary wealth store, with two Delaware properties valued at $4.5 million and $2.5 million respectively. Biden’s net worth reflects steady accumulation through government service rather than entrepreneurial ventures.

The Mid-Tier Contenders: Kennedy and Williamson

Robert Kennedy Jr. brings $15 million to the table—relatively wealthy but modest given his family’s $1.2 billion total net worth from 2015. As one of 11 children of Bobby Kennedy, RFK Jr. inherited only a fractional piece of the Kennedy fortune, holding approximately $4 million through family trusts and roughly half a million via Park Financial Holdings. His wealth extends to millions in commercial real estate and substantial professional earnings: over $5 million from his law firm Kennedy & Madonna between 2022-2023, plus $1.5 million consulting fees and over $500,000 in salary from the non-profit Children’s Health Defense. His wife, actress Cheryl Hines, independently contributes between $600,000 and $1.7 million in retirement assets.

Marianne Williamson claims $2.5 million in net worth, primarily accumulated through her prolific writing career. The author of 15 books, including three New York Times number-one bestsellers, Williamson generated $7.5 million between 2013 and 2017 through publishing and speaking engagements. Her investment portfolio holds $841,000 across mutual funds and equities including Alphabet, Apple, and Home Depot, with approximately $250,000 in cash reserves. Tax records reveal discretionary spending habits: $41,000 in clothing write-offs and $276,000 in travel expenses over five years.

The Outlier: Cornel West’s Cautionary Tale

Cornel West presents a paradoxical financial portrait. The 70-year-old independent candidate, known as educator, author, actor, and musician, earned over $15 million across three decades—yet now carries only $50,000 in net worth. Despite substantial income from public speaking and authorship, West failed to manage tax obligations as an independent contractor, accumulating roughly $483,000 in tax liens. A lavish lifestyle consuming multiple residences, luxury vehicles, and alleged personal complications compounded his financial deterioration. His current assets—a $280,000 retirement account and Princeton home—fail to offset accumulated debt, exemplifying how high earnings cannot substitute for disciplined money management.

What Biden’s Net Worth Reveals About Political Wealth Inequality

The disparity in Biden’s net worth compared to Trump’s billions underscores the varied paths to political prominence. While Trump built private empire wealth, Biden accumulated modest assets through public service tenure. Meanwhile, candidates like West demonstrate that substantial income streams collapse under poor financial stewardship. For voters assessing candidates, these figures illuminate not just financial capacity but spending habits, investment philosophies, and fiscal discipline—qualities potentially reflective of governing approaches.