“The Risk of Biden Being a Two-Term President Is Just Too High”: Trump Backers Who Lost Interest in Him Now Claim He’s Their Best Option

Cynthia PaulDec 1, 2023

Minute Read

With the Iowa caucus marking the start of the 2024 Republican primary in less than two months, Donald Trump and his friends are increasing their high-dollar fundraising efforts.

Major Donors Show Signs of Returning to the Former President

The former president is beginning to receive support from a number of significant contributors, even many who previously urged him to withdraw from the campaign. According to some analysts, Trump’s shifting perspective about his major financial backers indicates that he recognizes that despite his ongoing scandal and legal issues, Republican voters still support him, making him a serious candidate for the presidency.

Anti-Trump Republican Donors Scramble Behind Alternative Candidate

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Despite facing several unprecedented criminal allegations, which he vigorously contests, Trump maintains his lead in polls. Meanwhile, Republican opponents of Trump have spent millions of dollars trying to unite around a different candidate to face the outgoing president, and anti-Trump supporters are still split between a small number of opponents.

The Risk of Joe Biden Being a Two-Term President Is Just Too High

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“While Trump may not have been some Republicans’ first choice for 2024, many are coming back on board because the risk of Joe Biden being a two-term president is just too high,” stated Charlie Kolean, a GOP strategist who raises money for the Trump campaign.

Trump’s Lead in the Polls Is Unparalleled

“His lead in the polls is unparalleled and barring any legal action, there is nothing politically that could stop him from becoming the nominee,” Kolean stated.

Trump Hosts a Swanky Fundraiser

The former president and his campaign are holding a fundraiser at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, later this week. General admission tickets are priced at $11,600, while attendance and a picture opportunity are priced at $23,200.

$23,200-Per-Person Ticket That Includes a Photo Opportunity

The former president will be the beneficiary of a fundraiser in Hallandale Beach, Florida, next week, which real estate developers Steven Witkoff and Howard Lorber are co-hosting for $23,200 a person, which includes a picture opportunity.

Longtime Friends of Trump Testify Against Him

Witkoff and Lorber have been close friends of Trump for a long time. In a civil trial in New York, where Trump is being sued for misrepresenting the worth of his properties, Witkoff was the first witness for Trump’s defense team. Trump has refuted any misconduct.

Trump Gradually Gains More Rep Donors

However, a growing number of Republican contributors who had expressed doubts about Trump following the 2020 election or had been abstaining from politics are now progressively endorsing him as well.

Ken Griffin, Thomas Peterffy and More Turn Their Backs on Trump

Many of the Republican Party’s major funders have abandoned or voiced doubts about Trump over the last few years, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm, cosmetics entrepreneur Ronald Lauder, and financiers Ken Griffin, Thomas Peterffy, and Stephen Schwarzman.

Does the Party Need a New Generation of Leaders?

A few pointed to the assault on the US Capitol building on January 6 and the attempts to rig the 2020 presidential election, while others held Trump accountable for the Republican defeats in the 2022 midterm elections. Some believed that a new generation of leaders was required for the party. Numerous bundlers and fundraisers who had previously collected funds for Trump have also moved on to campaign for his opponents in 2024.

The “Stakes Are Just Too High” and the “Choice Is Simple”

Before he abruptly endorsed Trump in an opinion piece that appeared on the website Real Clear Politics in early November, Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus was one of the prominent donors who had refrained from commenting on the 2024 presidential race, citing the “stakes are just too high” and the “choice is simple.”

We Cannot Let Trump’s Brash Style Be the Reason We Walk Away

“I understand the frustration of some of my Republican friends who do not like or are offended by things Donald Trump does and says,” wrote Marcus. “I, too, have been frustrated at times, but we cannot let his brash style be the reason we walk away from his otherwise excellent stewardship of the United States during his first term in office.”

The Best Person to Take On and Dismantle the Administrative State

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“I endorse him not only because he has the best chance of winning the general election but because he is the best person to take on and dismantle the administrative state that is strangling America,” Marcus said.

Marcus One of the Most Loyal Trumpists

Marcus, a prominent Republican contributor, has been among Trump’s most devoted political backers over the years, contributing millions of dollars to his campaign and other means of support.

Marcus Donated $16,000 to Nikki Haley

However, shortly after South Carolina governor Nikki Haley declared her candidacy for president in March, Marcus gave $16,000 to her federal joint fundraising committee.

Hamm Calls for Trump to Drop Out of the Race

The oil magnate Hamm went along similar lines. Despite being one of Trump’s largest backers both throughout his first presidential campaign and his entire administration, he called for Trump to withdraw from the contest early this summer.

Hamm Wants Trump to Become a Rep “Kingmaker” Instead of Running for Presidency

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Additionally, Hamm stated to the Financial Times earlier this summer that the GOP needs a candidate in 2024 who would not cause upheaval since “Jan. 6 separated a lot of people” in the organization. According to Hamm, Trump ought to become into a Republican “kingmaker” rather than seeking the president once more, as reported by the Financial Times.

Hamm Donates $16,000 to Haley

After Haley declared her candidacy for president, Hamm provided $16,000 to her joint fundraising committee and $6,600 to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ campaign.

Hamm Switches Tacks Donating $3,300 to Trump Campaign

Hamm later contributed $3,300 to the Trump campaign in August. According to The Washington Post, Hamm met privately with the former president last month at his Palm Beach, Florida, Mar-a-Lago Club, where he presented a $200,000 check for a pro-Trump super PAC.

He’s Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud

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GOP contributor Dan Eberhart, who has backed Trump in the past but now backs DeSantis and helps raise money for him, wasn’t shocked. Putting his own views on Hamm’s maneuvers into words, Eberhart stated, “He’s saying the quiet part out loud.” “Even for the people that don’t really prefer Trump, it’s about time to come home, rally around Trump, and he recognizes that.”