Billionaire Mike Bloomberg has pledged at least $100m (£78m) to help Democrat Joe Biden's presidential campaign in Florida. Mr Bloomberg already spent $1bn this year trying to defeat Mr Biden to become the Democratic challenger. Mr Bloomberg endorsed Mr Biden after failing to win the Democratic nomination and spoke in a prime-time slot at the Democratic convention in August.

Donald Trump has hinted he will spend his own money in the state ahead of early voting opening on 24 September. Earlier this week when asked by journalists if he was considering spending his own money in Florida, Mr Trump told reporters "If I have to, I will. Whatever it takes, we have to win."

Both campaigns are keen to appeal to voters who may be casting their votes early by post and set the tone of the final weeks of their campaigns. Postal voting is expected to be double that seen in 2016 as the coronavirus pandemic spurs voters to avoid polling stations.

The president initially had a significant financial advantage over his rival but Mr Biden's successful fundraising has closed the gap. A Cook Political Report poll this week suggested that the contest in Florida is narrowing, with Mr Trump improving his standing in the race there. Nationally Mr Biden is leading in the polls.

Money talks .....

In this case, it's money down the drain.

The guy's a kiss of death to a campaign. I had high hopes when I first saw him as a candidate but....well maybe I am wrong. But imagine how much he could have done for charity with all that money.

I just think it's shocking that the world's most developed economy now has so much poverty and misery.

The guy's a kiss of death to a campaign. I had high hopes when I first saw him as a candidate but....well maybe I am wrong. But imagine how much he could have done for charity with all that money.