Kamala Harris vs Donald Trump: how their net worths compare in the race to the White House

​​​​​​Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump approach leadership with starkly different styles – and these differences extend to their personal finances as well. As they vie for the White House, one thing stands out: their financial situations couldn’t be more different.

While it’s common for politicians to forgo wealth-building in favour of public service, Harris and Trump bring distinct financial profiles to the table. Presidential pay isn’t particularly high in comparison to corporate or Wall Street incomes, and presidents are generally expected to serve without the motive of personal gain.

But for Harris, a career in politics hasn’t left her financially reliant on the presidential salary. Together with her husband, Doug Emhoff, she has built an estimated net worth of around $8 million, according to Forbes. This wealth is the result of shrewd financial decisions, significant earnings, and her position as Vice President.
On the other hand, Trump’s wealth, though substantial, remains a subject of much debate, largely due to his lack of transparency. In contrast, Harris has been remarkably open about her finances. During her 2020 presidential run, she released 15 years of personal tax returns, a level of disclosure that surpassed many of her peers – except for President Biden, whose tax records reflect his decades-long public service career.

Interestingly, Harris’s wealth didn’t stem primarily from her time in politics. As Vice President, her annual salary is around $235,100, and she earned $174,000 per year as a senator. However, Harris’s career as an author has also been lucrative. To date, she has earned over $500,000 in royalties from her published books.
Her husband, Doug Emhoff, adds significant value to their household income as well. Before stepping back from his high-profile role as an entertainment lawyer to support Harris’s vice-presidential duties, Emhoff was earning over $1 million annually, as estimated by Forbes. Despite putting his career on hold, his previous earnings continue to bolster their financial standing, giving the Harris-Emhoff household a stable financial foundation.

But one of the major contributors to their wealth is the Los Angeles property the couple purchased in 2012 for $1 million. Today, the value of this property has surged to $4.4 million. Additionally, the couple reportedly holds between $2.9 million and $6.6 million in various investments, cash reserves, and retirement funds, contributing to a robust financial portfolio.

In sum, Kamala Harris’s net worth is a product of wise investments, steady earnings throughout her career, and the influence she commands. With valuable assets from coast to coast, a popular book, and a VP’s salary, Harris’s financial standing is secure.​