Abigail Disney, an heiress and granddaughter of a co-founder of The Walt Disney Company, announced that she will resume her donations to the Democratic Party following President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
Earlier this month, Disney declared that she would halt contributions to the party unless a new candidate replaced Biden at the top of the ticket. In an email to CNBC, she confirmed her return to supporting the party now that Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.
When she initially made her announcement to withhold donations, Disney expressed her support for Harris, highlighting the Vice President’s capabilities. She criticized the Democratic Party for its treatment of Harris, suggesting that the party has not supported her to the same extent as it has Biden, particularly considering factors of race and gender.
Disney’s stance reflects a broader discontent among elite Democratic donors, particularly after Biden’s poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump. Reports indicate that the pressure from influential donors and decreasing financial support contributed to Biden’s decision to exit the race. Influential donors, including George Soros and his son, Alex Soros, have also expressed their endorsement for Harris following Biden’s announcement.