Money makes the world go round, and nowhere is that more true than in politics.
Deep-pocketed billionaires are contributing to both of the major candidates — former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris — in this year’s presidential election.
So, which rich folks are putting their money where their vote is? Here is a partial list.
We start with the billionaires who are opening their checkbooks for Trump.
Elon Musk
Approximate net worth: Roughly $250 billion
Elon Musk — the head honcho at Tesla, SpaceX and other companies — is solidly behind Trump.
During the third quarter of 2024, the world’s richest person made seven donations to the America PAC totaling $74,950,000, according to the Federal Election Commission.
Musk himself founded this political action committee “to support candidates who champion Secure Borders, Sensible Spending, Safe Cities, Fair Justice System, Free Speech and Self-Protection,” according to the PAC’s profile on X (formerly Twitter).
Miriam Adelson
Approximate net worth: $35 billion
Miriam Adelson is the widow of Sheldon Adelson, who was the former CEO and chair of Las Vegas Sands, a casino and resort company. She now owns a majority stake in the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.
During the third quarter of this year, Miriam Adelson gave a whopping $95 million to the Preserve America PAC, Forbes reports. The political action committee aims to stop Harris from being elected.
Richard Uihlein
Approximate net worth: $6 billion
Megadonor Richard Uihlein is a descendant of the family that founded Schlitz beer. Along with his wife, Elizabeth, he also founded Uline, which sells shipping and packing supplies.
Uihlein sought to boost Trump by contributing $48.8 million to the Restoration PAC during the third quarter. This political action committee “provides support to truly conservative candidates, and opposes Leftists and the woke agenda,” according to its website.
Uihlein and his wife also rank among the country’s most prolific donors to Republicans at the federal level this election cycle, according to the nonprofit OpenSecrets. Since 2023, the couple has donated a total of more than $74 million to federal candidates and committees — all Republican.
Billionaires who support Harris
Trump isn’t the only one raking in the cash. In fact, Harris has actually raised far more money than her opponent. Here are some of the top billionaires who have supported her financially.
Michael Bloomberg
Approximate net worth: Roughly $100 billion
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg — who cofounded Bloomberg LP — contributed $19 million to the Future Forward PAC, which supports Harris, Politico reports.
Bloomberg also ranks as the country’s most prolific donor to federal-level Democrats this election cycle, according to OpenSecrets. Since 2023, he has donated a total of more than $41.5 million to federal candidates and committees — all Democratic.
Reid Hoffman
Approximate net worth: $2.5 billion
Reid Hoffman, a co-founder of LinkedIn and partner at the venture capital firm Greylock Partners, has thrown his support behind Harris.
Hoffman and his wife, Michelle Yee, are big donors to the Democratic Party, Axios reports. This election cycle, they have contributed $10 million to the pro-Harris Future Forward PAC.
The couple also have given $6 million to the Republican Accountability PAC, which describes itself as a group of “Republicans and conservatives who hate what Donald Trump has done to the Republican Party.”
Stephen F. Mandel Jr.
Approximate net worth: $2.5 billion
Stephen Mandel is the founder and a managing member of Lone Pine Capital, a hedge fund with offices in Greenwich, Connecticut, and New York City.
According to federal campaign records, his recent donations include $123,900 to the Democratic National Committee on July 31 — shortly after President Joe Biden announced his exit from the race and Harris thus became the front-runner for the Democratic ticket.
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