Donald Trump today dismissed Ben Carson tying him for the lead in Iowa in a recent poll because of the "tremendous" amount Carson is spending on advertisements.
"I like Ben a lot. He’s a good guy," Trump told ABC News. "But he’s been spending a tremendous amount of advertising money out in Iowa."
Well, not exactly -- at least when it comes to TV advertising.
According to ad-spending data from NBC News partner SMG Delta, Carson's campaign has spent $297,000 so far in TV ads -- $184,000 in Iowa, $113,000 in New Hampshire, and just $25,000 this week alone. (Pro-Carson Super PACs or outside groups have yet to spend on TV.)
By contrast, groups supporting Ohio Gov. John Kasich have spent nearly $4 million in TV ads (all in New Hampshire), an outside group backing Marco Rubio has spent $2.6 million (all on cable), and Hillary Clinton's campaign has spent $2.2 million (in both Iowa and New Hampshire).
Below is a look at all of the TV ad spending. (Caveat: Given that Super PACs and outside groups have to pay more for TV ads than actual campaigns, money spent isn't a perfect metric. But it gives you a good idea of who is on the air and where.)
Total ad spending (as of Sept. 1, 2015)
Team Kasich: $3.7 million (all in NH)
Team Rubio: $2.6 million (all on national cable)
Team Clinton: $2.2 million (in IA, NH)
Team Jindal: $1.6 million (all in IA)
Team Christie: $1.4 million (all in NH)
Team Perry: $1.4 million (all in IA)
Team Paul: $470K (in IA, NH)
Team Pataki: $314K (in NH)
Team Carson: $297K (in IA, NH)
Ad spending this week (Sept. 1-Sept. 7)
Christie (via America Leads Super PAC): $345K -- all in NH
Clinton (via campaign): $304K -- IA and NH
Kasich (via New Day Independent Media Commmitte): $182K -- all in NH
Carson (via campaign): $25K
Top TV ad spenders in Iowa
Team Jindal: $1.6 million
Team Perry: $1.4 million
Team Clinton: $845K
Team Carson: $184K
Top TV ad spenders in New Hampshire
Team Kasich: $3.7 million
Team Christie: $1.4 million
Team Clinton: $1.4 million
Team Paul: $345K
Team Pataki: $314K
Team Carson: $113K
SOURCE: SMG Delta/NBC News
