As the US Presidential election day approaches, the stakes are higher than ever for both candidates. While media endorsements play a crucial role, the backing of influential billionaires can significantly shape voter perceptions. This year's race sees Kamala Harris with a slight edge in media endorsements, but Donald Trump has garnered substantial support from some of the wealthiest individuals in America, led by Elon Musk.
Deadlocked race: On the eve of the election, the presidential race is exceptionally close, with polls indicating a deadlock across the country and in key swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina. Despite the decline in newspaper endorsements compared to previous elections, public declarations of support from influential figures could sway voters' final decisions.
Billionaire Backers of Donald Trump: Donald Trump, who has positioned himself as a champion of both the ultra-wealthy and the working class, has secured the backing of 52 billionaires. Notable supporters include: Elon Musk, Stephen Schwarzman, Thomas Peterffy, Miriam Adelson, Jeff Hildebrand, Jan Koum, Harold Hamm, Diane Hendricks, Tilman Fertitta, Andy Beal, Marc Rowan, Woody Johnson IV, Bill Ackman, Joe Ricketts, Bernie Marcus, Kelcy Warren, Edward Roski, Gary Rollins
While Trump has fewer billionaire supporters compared to Harris, his backers have contributed significantly more, with 18 of the top 25 individual donors giving exclusively or mostly to Republicans, according to an Open Secrets analysis.
Billionaire backers of Kamala Harris: Kamala Harris, despite her criticism of pro-billionaire policies, has garnered support from 83 billionaires. These ultra-wealthy individuals back her for pragmatic reasons, expecting her to maintain fair and predictable policies that ensure economic stability. Among the 76 billionaires supporting Harris, 28 have donated $1 million or more to groups backing her. Notable names include: Michael Bloomberg (Former New York mayor, Bloomberg), Arthur Blank (Atlanta Falcons), Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn), Vinod Khosla (Khosla Ventures), Dustin Moskovitz (Facebook), Steven Spielberg (Hollywood director)
Additionally, 36 billionaires have contributed between $50,000 and $999,999, including: Tory Burch (Fashion designer), Reed Hastings (Netflix), Chris Larsen (Ripple), Laurene Powell Jobs (Apple)
High-profile individuals such as Melinda French Gates, Joe Gebbia (Airbnb), Mark Cuban, and Magic Johnson have also endorsed Harris, further bolstering her support base. Jeff Bezos' Neutral Stance
Interestingly, Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos has not endorsed either candidate. In a bid to clarify the publication's non-endorsement, Bezos stated, "Presidential endorsements do nothing to tip the scales of an election."
As the US Presidential election day draws near, the endorsements from American billionaires highlight the significant influence of wealth in shaping political landscapes. While Kamala Harris enjoys broader support from the ultra-wealthy, Donald Trump's backers have contributed more substantial sums. The outcome of this high-stakes election remains uncertain, with both candidates vying for the decisive support of the American electorate.
