Full story: https://grafa.com/insights/the-billionaires-backing-trump-248983
So who’s backing Trump?
Elon Musk (net worth estimated at US$249B)
(NASDAQ:TSLA); (SpaceX), (Boring Company), (Neuralink), (xAI), (X)
Former Democrats supporter Elon Musk has seemingly pledged support for Donald Trump. Last week he announced his intention to donate US$45 million per month to Trump in the lead up to the election. But, shortly after the news broke, Musk posted on X saying “Fake Gnus”.
Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz (collective net worth estimated at $5–6B)
(Anderessen Horowitz)
Prominent figures such as Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz of Andreessen Horowitz have also publicly backed Trump, citing the presidential candidate’s support of cryptocurrencies as a notable reason for their political shift.
Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (combined net worth estimated at $5.4B)
(Gemini)
Perhaps best known for suing Facebook, claiming Mark Zuckerberg copied their idea, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss donated US$500,000 to Trump last week. The twins operate the Gemini cryptocurrency exchange and there’s growing sentiment within the crypto community that a Trump presidency will be positive for digital assets.
Isaac Perlmutter (net worth estimated at $4.3 billion)
(Former chairman and CEO of Marvel Entertainment)
Perlmutter and his wife, Laura, made a significant $10.1 million donation to a new pro-Trump super PAC (political action committee), Right for America, in the first quarter.
Timothy Mellon (Mellon family worth estimated at $14.1 billion)
A prominent Republican mega-donor, Mellon has emerged as the top contributor of the 2024 election cycle, donating $25 million each to super PACs supporting both Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to USA Today and OpenSecrets data.
Harold Hamm (net worth estimated at $18.5 billion)
The Continental Resources founder and longtime Trump friend, known for his previous support to Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis, attended the controversial April Mar-A-Lago dinner where Trump reportedly sought a $1 billion donation from oil executives. Hamm later co-hosted a Houston fundraiser for Trump in May.
Bernie Marcus (net worth estimated at $9.6 billion)
Co-founder of The Home Depot, Marcus contributed $1 million to Trump’s main super PAC, MAGA Inc., in the second half of 2023. He also co-hosted a fundraiser for Trump in Atlanta in April.
Kelcy Warren (net worth estimated at $6 billion)
Founder of Energy Transfer, Warren initially supported DeSantis but later donated over $800,000 to Trump’s campaign apparatus, the Trump 47 committee, in the first quarter of the year. He co-hosted a fundraiser with Hamm in May.
J.Joe Ricketts (net worth estimated at $4 billion)
Chairman of TD Ameritrade, Ricketts contributed $824,600 to the Trump 47 Committee.
John Paulson (net worth estimated at $3.5 billion)
Hedge fund billionaire Paulson hosted a $50 million fundraiser for Trump at his Palm Beach home in April. He also co-hosted a Manhattan fundraiser with other billionaires in May.
Steve Wynn (net worth estimated at $3.4 billion)
Former casino mogul and RNC finance chair Wynn, despite legal challenges, co-hosted a fundraiser with Paulson and donated over $800,000 to Trump 47 in the first quarter of the year.
Geoffrey Palmer (net worth estimated at $3.1 billion)
Los Angeles real estate magnate Palmer, a significant supporter since 2016, donated $1 million to MAGA Inc. in late 2023 and contributed over $80,000 to Trump 47 in early 2024.
Linda McMahon (Vincent McMahon’s worth estimated at $2.9 billion)
Co-founder of WWE and former SBA administrator under Trump, McMahon donated $11 million to support Trump this election cycle and chairs the America First Policy Institute promoting Trump’s agenda.
Phil Ruffin (net worth estimated at $2.6 billion)
Casino magnate and close friend of Trump, Ruffin donated over $800,000 to Trump 47 in the first quarter of the year, following his support for Trump’s 2020 campaign.
Timothy Dunn (net worth estimated at $2.2 billion)
Texas oil businessman Dunn contributed $5 million to MAGA Inc. in the second half of 2023, according to Politico, marking a substantial financial backing for Trump’s reelection efforts.
Looking ahead, the impact of these donations on Trump’s campaign strategy and corporate relations remains to be seen.
As the election draws nearer, all eyes will be on how these contributions shape the discourse around corporate involvement in politics and influence the outcome of the 2024 presidential race.
