Abigail Disney, the heiress and granddaughter of a co-founder of The Walt Disney Company, has announced her intention to resume donations to the Democratic Party now that President Joe Biden has stepped aside from the 2024 race.
Earlier this month, Disney had publicly stated that she would cease contributions to the party until Biden was no longer the leading candidate. However, following Biden’s decision to withdraw and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor, she confirmed in an email to CNBC that she would resume her support for the party.
When she initially announced her pause in donations, Disney expressed her backing for Harris, emphasizing the Vice President’s capabilities. She criticized the perceived double standards in how Democrats have treated Biden compared to Harris, noting the impact of race and gender on this discrepancy. She argued that if the party could unite behind Harris, it would significantly improve their chances in the upcoming election.
Disney’s discontent with Biden stemmed from his performance in debates, particularly against former President Donald Trump, which led to a backlash from wealthy Democratic donors. This pressure contributed to Biden’s eventual decision to end his candidacy. Prominent donor George Soros and his son, Alex Soros, also expressed their support for Harris following Biden’s announcement.