As the 2024 US presidential race intensifies, billionaires across the nation are discreetly taking sides by financially supporting either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump. While outspoken figures like Elon Musk have publicly shared their endorsements, others such as Warren Buffett and Mark Zuckerberg remain on the sidelines, sparking speculation about their political leanings.
According to Forbes, 76 billionaires are backing Kamala Harris, while 49 have pledged their support to Donald Trump. However, more billionaires are expected to weigh in closer to the election, with their contributions only becoming public after the Federal Election Commission releases its final reports in December.
Why Harris?
Despite Harris’s criticism of pro-billionaire policies, many ultra-wealthy individuals support her for pragmatic reasons. A letter signed by over a dozen billionaire endorsers highlighted her commitment to “fair and predictable policies” that would safeguard economic stability. This stance resonates strongly with Silicon Valley elites who have known Harris since her time as a California prosecutor. Additionally, a recent survey indicated that sectors like technology, healthcare, and sustainability would benefit from a Harris presidency.
Who’s Backing Harris?
Among Harris’s 76 billionaire supporters, 28 have contributed over $1 million, including notable names such as:
– Michael Bloomberg (Former New York Mayor)
– Arthur Blank (Atlanta Falcons)
– Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn)
– Vinod Khosla (Khosla Ventures)
– Dustin Moskovitz (Facebook)
Meanwhile, 36 billionaires contributed amounts ranging from $50,000 to $999,999, with notable figures like Tory Burch (Fashion Designer), Reed Hastings (Netflix), and Laurene Powell Jobs (Apple), Melinda French Gates among them. Prominent individuals such as Mark Cuban and Magic Johnson have also openly endorsed Harris.
Trump’s Billionaire Supporters
Donald Trump, known for positioning himself as both a champion of the wealthy and the working class, has the support of 49 billionaires. His top backers include:
– Miriam Adelson (Las Vegas Sands Corp.)
– Don Ahern (Las Vegas Construction)
– Diane Hendricks (ABC Supply)
– Linda McMahon (WWE)
– Steve Wynn (Wynn Resorts)
With another 16 billionaires contributing almost $50,000 and $999,999. Trump’s backers also include tech mogul Elon Musk, who has campaigned actively for him.
Neutral Billionaires
While some billionaires are vocal, others have stayed neutral, at least for now. Figures like Jeff Bezos, Warren Buffett, and Bill Gates have not endorsed a candidate, though Gates expressed positive views about Harris in a recent interview. Sergey Brin and Ray Dalio, despite past political stances, have also remained silent this election cycle.