Heiress Abigail Disney announced that she will resume her financial support for the Democratic Party now that President Joe Biden has exited the 2024 presidential race. Disney, the granddaughter of one of the co-founders of The Walt Disney Company, had previously stated that she would halt donations until a new candidate was chosen to lead the party.
In an email to CNBC, she confirmed her renewed support, stating, “Yes, I will resume supporting,” after Biden’s withdrawal and endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidential nomination. At the time she announced her decision to withhold donations, she also publicly endorsed Harris.
Disney emphasized her belief in Harris’s capabilities, arguing that the Democratic Party should fully support the Vice President. She criticized the inequitable treatment of Harris compared to Biden, highlighting factors such as race and gender in their respective standings within the party.
Her previous decision to stop donations was part of a broader discontent among prominent Democratic donors after Biden’s poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump, which some reports suggest contributed to his decision to step back from the race. Other influential figures, including George Soros and his son Alex, also expressed their support for Harris after Biden’s announcement.