Abigail Disney, heiress and granddaughter of one of The Walt Disney Company’s co-founders, has announced that she will resume contributions to the Democratic Party now that President Joe Biden has decided not to seek reelection. Earlier this month, Disney had stated that she would halt her donations until there was a new candidate at the forefront of the party.
In an email to CNBC, she confirmed her renewed support, indicating that with Biden’s exit and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor, she feels encouraged to contribute again. When she initially announced her decision to withhold donations, she had also expressed her backing for Harris.
Disney praised Harris, stating that if Democrats could overlook any perceived faults of the Vice President to the same extent they have with Biden, the party could unite and secure a significant victory in the upcoming election. Her comments reflected a broader discontent among some elite Democratic donors following Biden’s poor performance in debates against former President Donald Trump. Reports suggest that pressure from influential donors, along with a decrease in funding, significantly influenced Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race.
Notably, prominent Democratic donors George Soros and his son Alex Soros have also endorsed Harris following Biden’s departure from the presidential race.