Heiress Abigail Disney has announced that she will resume her financial support of the Democratic Party now that President Joe Biden has exited the presidential race. Disney, who is part of the family that co-founded The Walt Disney Company, previously stated earlier this month that she would halt her donations until Biden was replaced at the top of the ticket.
In an email to CNBC, Disney confirmed her decision to resume support, mentioning that she now backs Vice President Kamala Harris, who was endorsed by Biden upon his exit. During her earlier announcement, Disney expressed her belief in Harris’s 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… we can win this election by a lot.”
Disney’s earlier decision to withhold donations was part of a broader discontent among elite Democratic donors following Biden’s underwhelming debate performances against former President Donald Trump. Reports suggest that pressures from these high-profile donors and a decline in funding contributed to Biden’s decision to step back from the race. Notably, investor George Soros and his son, Alex Soros, have also publicly backed Harris since Biden’s announcement.
This recent shift in support highlights the evolving dynamics within the Democratic Party and signals a potential reinvigoration for the party as it prepares for the upcoming election cycle. With influential figures like Abigail Disney backing Harris, there may be renewed energy and funding flowing into the campaign, fostering optimism for Democratic chances in the election.
The engagement of prominent donors like Disney and Soros may encourage other potential supporters to rally behind Harris, potentially unifying the party and enhancing its prospects moving forward.