Abigail Disney, an heiress and granddaughter of a co-founder of The Walt Disney Company, announced her intention to resume donations to the Democratic Party now that President Joe Biden has exited the 2024 race for reelection. Earlier this month, she had stated that she would halt her contributions until a new candidate replaced Biden at the top of the ticket.
In an email response to CNBC on Monday, Disney confirmed her decision to support the party once again, as Biden has officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency. When she made her initial decision to withhold donations, Disney expressed her backing for Harris as a strong candidate.
Disney emphasized her belief in Harris, stating that if the Democratic Party could rally behind her without the same scrutiny faced by Biden, they could secure a significant victory in the upcoming election. She noted the disparities influenced by race and gender in the perceived treatment of the two candidates.
Like many elite Democratic donors, Disney’s discontent with Biden stemmed from his poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump, contributing to a pressure campaign that ultimately influenced Biden’s decision to step aside. Following Biden’s withdrawal, prominent donors such as George Soros and his son, Alex Soros, also expressed their support for Harris.