Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Tuesday defended his fund-raising activities and said he could have “unlimited” cash on hand after FEC reports showed his campaign began June with just $1.3 million.
“If need be, there could be unlimited ‘cash on hand’ as I would put up my own money, as I have already done through the primaries, spending over $50 million dollars. Our campaign is leaner and more efficient, like our government should be,” Trump said in the statement, which was posted on his campaign website.
Trump is also making his first direct e-mail pitch for campaign donations, vowing to match up to $2 million in contributions.
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‘‘This is the first fundraising e-mail I have ever sent on behalf of my campaign,’’ Trump wrote. ‘‘That’s right. THE FIRST ONE.’’ He said in the e-mail Tuesday that his offer to match up to $2 million in donations could ‘‘help make history.’’
Trump has also purchased ad space on Facebook to make a similar appeal. He says he wants ‘‘to beat Crooked Hillary,’’ but ‘‘I need your help to do so.’’
The billionaire businessman had largely funded his Republican presidential primary campaign with his own money, lending about $46 million over the past year. As a general election candidate, he has been raising money from donors and is falling far behind likely Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
Christina Prignano of the Globe staff contributed to this report. She can be reached at christina.prignano@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @cprignano.