Abigail Disney, an heiress and granddaughter of one of the co-founders of The Walt Disney Company, announced that she will resume her financial support for the Democratic Party following President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Earlier this month, Disney had expressed her intention to halt any contributions until a new candidate was selected to lead the party.
In a statement to CNBC, Disney confirmed her return to supporting the party now that Biden has stepped aside and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. Prior to this announcement, Disney had already expressed her backing for Harris, asserting the Vice President’s qualifications and potential to unite the party for a successful campaign.
Disney criticized the perceived inequities in how the Democratic Party has treated Harris compared to Biden, highlighting race and gender factors in the different responses to their respective challenges. She emphasized the need for the party to come together in support of Harris to secure a significant electoral victory.
Her decision to withhold contributions earlier this month was part of a broader backlash among prominent Democratic donors, who expressed disappointment in Biden’s performance in debates, especially against former President Donald Trump. This dissatisfaction among key financial backers was reportedly a factor contributing to Biden’s choice to exit the race.
In addition to Disney, notable figures like George Soros and his son Alex Soros have also expressed their support for Harris following Biden’s announcement.