Heiress Abigail Disney announced that she will resume her donations to the Democratic Party following President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Disney, whose grandfather co-founded The Walt Disney Company, had previously stated that she would cease her contributions until a new candidate was established at the top of the ticket.
In an email to CNBC on Monday, Disney confirmed her return to supporting the party now that Biden has officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency. Along with her announcement, Disney had expressed her backing for Harris earlier this month.
Disney emphasized her belief in Harris’ capabilities, stating, “We have an excellent Vice President. If Democrats would tolerate any of her perceived shortcomings even one-tenth as much as they have tolerated Biden’s (and let’s not kid ourselves about where race and gender figure in that inequity), and if Democrats can find a way to stop quibbling and rally around her, we can win this election by a lot.”
Her decision comes amidst discontent among prominent Democratic donors who were frustrated with Biden’s performance, particularly following his debates with former President Donald Trump. Reports suggest that pressure from influential party donors, alongside a decline in financial support, contributed to Biden’s choice to step aside. Notable figures such as George Soros and his son, Alex Soros, also expressed their support for Harris in light of Biden’s withdrawal.