Heiress Abigail Disney has announced her intention to resume donations to the Democratic Party following President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Disney, who is a member of the Disney family and granddaughter of one of the co-founders of The Walt Disney Company, previously stated that she would halt her contributions until a new candidate took the lead.
In an email response to CNBC, Disney confirmed her renewed support, stating, “Yes, I will resume supporting,” now that Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Earlier this month, Disney had expressed strong confidence in Harris’s capabilities, emphasizing the need for the Democratic Party to unify behind her. “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… we can win this election by a lot,” she remarked.
Disney’s earlier decision to pause her donations mirrored the sentiments of many elite Democratic donors who were disenchanted with Biden’s performance, particularly after a challenging debate against former President Donald Trump. Reports suggest that this discontent from major donors was a contributing factor to Biden’s withdrawal from the race. Notably, prominent figures like George Soros and his son, Alex Soros, have also endorsed Harris following the announcement.
This shift among influential Democratic donors illustrates a potential turning point for the party as it rallies around a new leader ahead of the upcoming election. With the backing of prominent supporters, the Democratic Party could harness renewed energy and enthusiasm to bolster their campaign efforts.
Overall, Disney’s return to political contributions could inject substantial support for Harris as she gears up to lead the Democratic ticket, fostering a sense of hope for a victorious campaign strategy.