Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Billionaires Invest Staggering Sums Into Electing Trump

Some of the world's wealthiest figures -- led by conservative donor Miriam Adelson and tech billionaire Elon Musk -- have funneled tens of millions of dollars into political groups in recent months to boost Donald Trump's White House bid, new reports filed Tuesday with federal regulators show.

Posted by Corky at 11:30 PM | 31 COMMENTS | permalink

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"Altogether, just three billionaires " Musk, Adelson and Midwestern packaging magnate Richard Uihlein " donated roughly $220 million in a three-month period to groups backing the Republican's candidacy.

Their staggering donations underscore the crucial role that a handful of billionaire megadonors are playing in Trump's efforts to edge past his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, as their race has intensified.,"

.

Billionaires for The Working Man!

Trumpers are such morons.

#1 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-16 10:15 AM

They're avaricious, odious goons but give them their due: they know, invest and vote their own best personal interest.

Yes, of course they're smarter than the rubes they're manipulating.

That's why they hold them in such low regard.

#2 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2024-10-16 11:09 AM

Living proof on why Citizens United was such a bad decision...
3 men can almost 'buy' a U.S. election.

#3 | Posted by earthmuse at 2024-10-17 06:29 AM

No, money is not speech, it is a way to bribe politicians, and judges and rig the electoral system. If money were speech, then in a criminal trial the defense could give the jurors millions of dollars.
It is a few very rich people saying, in effect, "screw the great majority of Americans, we own it all and we want to make sure this is a rich man's dictatorship run by our minions".

#4 | Posted by Hughmass at 2024-10-17 06:33 AM

Which Billionaires Are Supporting Harris?
A total of 79 billionaires (or more) are backing Harris. Forbes identified these 28 billionaires who donated $1 million toward groups supporting Harris through August:

Arthur Blank (Atlanta Falcons)
Michael Bloomberg (Bloomberg, former New York mayor)
Neil Bluhm (Real estate)
John Doerr (Kleiner Perkins)
Amy Goldman Fowler (New York real estate)
Avram Glazer (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn)
Robert Hale, Jr. (Granite Telecommunications)
Amos Hostetter, Jr. (Cable)
Bruce Karsh (Oaktree Capital Management)
Vinod Khosla (Khosla Ventures)
Seth Klarman (Baupost)
Henry Laufer (Renaissance Technologies)
Stephen Mandel, Jr. (Lone Pine Capital)
George Marcus (Marcus & Millichap)
Michael Moritz (Sequoia Capital)
Dustin Moskovitz (Facebook)
John Pritzker (Hyatt hotels)
Haim Saban (Fox Family Channel)
Sheryl Sandberg (Facebook)
Eric Schmidt (Google)
Lynn Schusterman (Samson Resources)
David Shaw (D.E. Shaw)
The late Jim Simons (Renaissance Technologies)
Gwendolyn Sontheim Meyer (Cargill)
Steven Spielberg (Hollywood director)
Thomas Steyer (Farallon Capital)
Pat Stryker (Stryker Corp.)
The following 36 billionaires made between $50,000 and $999,999 in donations to groups supporting Harris through August, according to Forbes' analysis of FEC data:

David Blitzer (Blackstone)
David Bonderman (TPG)
Edythe Broad (Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation)
Tory Burch (Tory Burch)
Rick Caruso (Los Angeles real estate)
James Chambers (Cox Enterprises)
Robert Clark (Clayco)
Barry Diller (IAC)
Dagmar Dolby (Dolby Laboratories)
Charles Ergen (DISH)
John Fish (Suffolk Construction)
Gordon Getty (Getty Oil)
James Goodnight (SAS)
Jonathan Gray (Blackstone)
Thomas Hagen (Erie Indemnity)
Reed Hastings (Netflix)
Elizabeth Johnson (Fidelity Investments)
Michael Krasny (Computer Discount Warehouse)
Chris Larsen (Ripple)
Marc Lasry (Avenue Capital Group)
Theodore Leonsis (Washington Capitals, Mystics and Wizards)
Daniel Och (Och-Ziff Capital Management)
Mark Pincus (Zynga)
Laurene Powell Jobs (Apple, gave about $900,000 to Harris Victory Fund last quarter)
Katharine Rayner (Cox Enterprises)
Stewart Resnick and Lynda Resnick (Wonderful Company)
John Sall (SAS)
Paul Sciarra (Pinterest)
George Soros (Soros Fund Management)
Jonathan Tisch and Laurie Tisch (Loews Corporation)
Todd Wagner (Broadcast.com)
Christy Walton (Walmart)
Elaine Wynn (Wynn Resorts)
Dirk Ziff (Ziff Davis).
Bloomberg reported these additional four billionaires have donated to Harris' election funds or groups supporting Harris' election:

Melinda French Gates (Microsoft, gave about $900,000 to Harris Victory Fund last quarter)
Joe Gebbia (Airbnb)
Hamilton James (Blackstone)
Margot Perot (Ross Perot widow).
These six billionaires signed a Sept. 6 open letter supporting Harris:

Mark Cuban ("Shark Tank" investor)
Jos E. Feliciano (Clearlake Capital)
Magic Johnson (NBA star and investor)
Sean Parker (Facebook)
Penny Pritzker (Hyatt hotels)
Hamdi Ulukaya (Chobani).
UPDATE (Oct. 16): And these three billionaires donated to a Harris committee during the third quarter, according to Federal Election Commission filings analyzed by the New York Times:

Tim Draper (Bitcoin)
J.B. Pritzker (Illinois governor)
Tyler Perry (Filmmaker).
And there's music stars Bruce Springsteen, who backed Harris Oct. 3, and Taylor Swift, who endorsed Harris Sept. 10.

#5 | Posted by eberly at 2024-10-17 06:47 AM

www.msn.com

#6 | Posted by eberly at 2024-10-17 07:20 AM

Beverly always rushes to the defense of the
GOP. He must have 'star spangled wallpaper and
underwear'.

When there are 'those who would back the indefensible',
there needs to be a counterweight.

Good for the billionaires and millionaires
trying to back Harris/Walsh, and get the only
sane person in the race into the White House.

#7 | Posted by earthmuse at 2024-10-17 08:21 AM

It seems to me that there is a pretty important difference between billionaires buying tax cuts and those who are trying to help decent public servants elected. We have a close race here in Florida for the Senate seat now occupied by known Medicare fraudster Rick Scott who wroye a bill to destroy Social Security and unfortunately that evil scum bag is leading which just shows how idiotic Florida voters really are

Rick Scott was in New York yesterday skipping votes, kissing up to Trump, and reminding everyone that he oversaw the largest Medicare fraud in history. Scott mistakenly thought no one would remember how he "took responsibility" for his company defrauding Medicare recipients and military families out of millions.

See below for a roundup of coverage:

MSNBC, The ReidOut: Trump Sycophant Rick Scott Attends His Trial
" Joy Reid: "Let's unpack why the Justice Department went after Rick Scott's former company, HCA. The Department joined eight whistleblower lawsuits alleging HCA defrauded Medicare, Medicaid, and military TRICARE. HCA reached a settlement agreeing to pay $1.7 billion in penalties in the largest Medicare fraud case in history " with much of the defrauding happening under Rick Scott's watch."
" "[Rick Scott] says he took responsibility' for the fraud in his former company. He also walked away from it all with $300 million in stocks, making him one of the richest members of Congress."
" "So he's really just another member of the oligarch class lining up at the Trump trough because they want total control of this country."

"WHAT THEY'RE SEEING: Rick Scott Reminds Everyone He "Took Responsibility" for the Largest Medicare Fraud in History"
May 10, 2024

www.floridadems.org

#8 | Posted by danni at 2024-10-17 08:51 AM

Billionaires for The Working Man!

Trumpers are such morons.

#1 | Posted by Corky

Trailer park Trumpers actually believe they are just one job offer away from becoming part of the club.

#9 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2024-10-17 10:29 AM

My wife and I mailed back our ballots three weeks ago, voting for all the Democrats. As Caesar famously remarked as he crossed the Rubicon River to invade Rome, "The die is cast!" Now we're sitting in our respective couch butt-dents watching endless political ads making jokes about the Tangerine Palpatine.

#10 | Posted by john47 at 2024-10-17 10:39 AM

#9

Exactly... and it's also the reason they support lowering taxes on billionaires and corporation; so they won't have to pay too much in taxes when they get rich!

Which they know they will.

Also:

- these 28 billionaires who donated $1 million toward groups supporting Harris through August

vs

"Altogether, just three billionaires " Musk, Adelson and Midwestern packaging magnate Richard Uihlein " donated roughly $220 million in a three-month period to groups backing the Republican's candidacy.

These two things are not the same.... the Dems are donating, the Trumpers are buying.

#11 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-17 10:46 AM

#5 | Posted by eberly

That's a long list.

But Trump only needed 3 people to dwarf how much the Harris people donated. Just 3.

Biggest Harris donor? $20 million abouts

As for Trump?
Elon Must: $75 million
Timothy Mellon: $125 million
Miriam Adelson: $95 million

Let me break it down really simply because it's apparent you don't understand...

IT'S NOT ABOUT WHICH BILLIONAIRES DONATE. IT'S ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY DONATE TO BUY THE ELECTION AND FAVORABLE POLICIES.

#12 | Posted by Sycophant at 2024-10-17 10:56 AM

Trump's lawyers will see this and start quadrupling their prices.

I

#13 | Posted by Twinpac at 2024-10-17 11:23 AM

Sycophant thinks if it's all caps and bold it's more persuasive but reality is it's more annoying.

Regardless, the left has been bragging about how much money Harris has raised which makes this thread hilarious to me.

#14 | Posted by BellRinger at 2024-10-17 01:10 PM

Regardless, the left has been bragging about how much money Harris has raised which makes this thread hilarious to me.

#14 | Posted by BellRinger

Yeah because people donating to someone to save democracy not the same thing as people donating to someone else to destroy democracy.

#15 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2024-10-17 01:22 PM

#5 | Posted by eberly

Worth noting but you realize a million dollar contribution to Harris to that list is like me spotting her a tenner right? Wait maybe more like a dollar.

That said 3 men 220 million vs 79 and what? 50 million? We didn't include Musk's what 80 million to Trump this quarter? How many more didn't that include? Did any of them also donate the other way? You do realize that plenty some play both sides most likely so they can say "I did back you..."

#16 | Posted by GalaxiePete at 2024-10-17 02:00 PM

- which makes this thread hilarious to me.

#14 | Posted by BellRinger

SO... just like when you stand in front of a mirror?

#11 should have been an enlightening read for you.... but, nah.

Your credibility has never been lower.

#17 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-17 03:54 PM

I've been saying it for 40+ years.
Nothing gets fixed in this country without Campaign Finance Reform.

#18 | Posted by morris at 2024-10-17 04:01 PM

#18

Amen, Morris.

#19 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-17 04:12 PM

IT'S NOT ABOUT WHICH BILLIONAIRES DONATE. ITS ABOUT WHO THEY DONATED TO!!!

ft

#20 | Posted by eberly at 2024-10-17 04:22 PM

-That said 3 men 220 million vs 79 and what? 50 million?

Where do you get $50 million? It could be $400 or $500 million.

That list of billionaires gave at least $1M each.

At least speak is honest. He outright admits the money is irrelevant

It's who they give it to. Period.

#21 | Posted by eberly at 2024-10-17 04:26 PM

-but you realize a million dollar contribution to Harris

You mean at least a million.

#22 | Posted by eberly at 2024-10-17 04:27 PM

Republican SuperPAC spending, where billionaires really put their money, is around $1.3 billion for Repubs, $500 million for Dems. $131 million for "other".

It's a $3 billion dollar election season and climbing.

#23 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-10-17 04:36 PM

Just another reason Trump will win in a few weeks.

#24 | Posted by ClownShack at 2024-10-17 04:46 PM

Elon Musk, Miriam Adelson and Richard Uihlein Gave Trump $220 Million

Q3 Campaign donation filings are being reported now. The biggest news is that three billionaires gave Donald Trump a total of $220 million combined in July, August, and September. Miriam Adelson, widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, gave $95 million. The world's richest man, Elon Musk, gave $75 million. Schlitz beer heir and owner of the U-line packaging supplies company Richard Uihlein gave $50 million. Trump is clearly much beloved by billionaires.

Each of them probably has a different motivation, although when you are a multibillionaire, giving a campaign $50-100 million is small potatoes. Adelson, who was born in Israel, really has only one issue: Israel. She wants a president she trusts to support Israel, no matter how many college students demonstrate in favor of the Palestinians. She likes Trump's Middle East policy: What Bibi wants, Bibi gets. Musk wants to be important and maybe get a position in the Trump administration where he can change the country to be more billionaire friendly, possibly by eliminating or sabotaging anti-poverty and other programs that are of no use to billionaires. He would love to put the kibosh on a few ongoing federal investigations, as well. Uihlein usually keeps a low profile and never does interviews"the exact opposite of Musk"but he has been a Republican megadonor for decades. He probably doesn't want any personal favors from Trump, just low taxes for billionaires.

The Adelsons and Uihleins have been donating to Republicans since forever, but Musk is new to the game. Despite that, he has inserted himself into the campaign in a big way, talking to Trump multiple times a week. With Musk, separating his personal interests from his business interests is increasingly difficult. It could cost him. Last week the California Coastal Commission rejected SpaceX's plans to launch more rockets from Vandenberg Air Force Base, citing his political antics as a reason. He is also butting heads with the FAA over launch requirements. So far, his tweets and behavior have not affected SpaceX getting government contracts, but if Kamala Harris becomes commander in chief, she could decide that having a healthy Boeing Corporation is in the national interest and use her power to send military and space contracts in that direction. That it would hurt Musk would just be the cherry on the sundae.

1 of 2

#25 | Posted by Hans at 2024-10-17 04:57 PM

2 0f 2

Wall Street isn't impressed by Musk's politicking. When Musk showed off his "cybercab" last week, the value of Tesla dropped by $68 billion. That's more than the total value of General Motors ($54 billion) or Ford ($43 billion). Musk personally became $12 billion poorer last Friday. Spending more time in Pennsylvania campaigning for Trump and less time making sure he can deliver on Tesla's promises probably isn't going to make investors get the feeling that Musk is on top of the company's problems and fixing them.

The $220 million in donations to Trump from three donors doesn't mean Trump can now dominate the airwaves and ground game. Harris raised $1 billion since July 21, so she can meet the challenge easily. Of that haul, $633 million came from high-dollar donors and the rest from small donors. Harris has used the $220 million donation from the three billionaires to Trump to encourage her small donors to give her more. Also, the megadonors are giving to Trump-affiliated PACs, which get far less favorable ad rates.

Super PACs supporting Senate candidates also raised a lot of money in Q3. The super PAC aligned with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Majority PAC, took in $119 million. Most Democratic Senate candidates are outraising their Republican opponents, including Sens. Ruben Gallego (AZ), Angela Alsobrooks (MD), Elissa Slotkin (MI), Jon Tester (MT), Jacky Rosen (NV), and Sherrod Brown (OH). Bob Casey (PA) is tied with Connecticut resident David McCormick. Tammy Baldwin (WI) is slightly behind Eric Hovde. Colin Allred (TX) is way, way, behind Ted Cruz; $3 million vs. $14 million.

The Republican equivalent, Senate Leadership Fund, raised $116 million, so it was roughly a tie. The main Democratic House super PAC received $101 million in Q3 vs. the main Republican House super PAC, which got $81 million. (V)

#26 | Posted by Hans at 2024-10-17 04:57 PM

Funniest of all... a significant amount of Elmo's money has come from government contracts. Which means, in this case, we the taxpayers are funding much of Trumps campaign.

#27 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2024-10-17 05:06 PM

#27

Don't think for an instant that these Oligarchs don't laugh about that very well-planned, 'irony', prolly rather often.

#28 | Posted by Corky at 2024-10-17 06:00 PM

American politicians/rulers and those who finance them don't think like normal people think. They don't think in terms of doing the right thing or acting in a way that benefits everyone. They don't think in terms of truth and honesty or the lack thereof. They only think in terms of what stories normal citizens are telling each other, and how those stories can be altered or changed in a way that advances the interests of the empire they serve.

Whether they be politicians, their sycophants, or the wealthy/powerful that support them (or more generally, highly manipulative people in general) these individuals do not use language in the way that normal people use language. Normal human beings use language to connect and interact, whereas manipulators use it only to extract things they want from the citizenry and exert control over them. They do this by working to control the narratives that citizens have about their material reality.

And that essentially is what America has ultimately become and shown itself and its future to the rest of the world.

#29 | Posted by NerfHerder at 2024-10-17 10:01 PM

-Don't think for an instant that these Oligarchs don't laugh about that very well-planned, 'irony', prolly rather often.

They laugh at a lot more ironies than that.

#30 | Posted by eberly at 2024-10-18 09:32 AM

Earthmuse is such a poor pathetic sap.

Let me know when that moron ever ever ever posts something that's remotely accurate.

#31 | Posted by eberly at 2024-10-18 09:34 AM

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