Billionaires Who Support Trump

Billionaire megadonors are warming to former US President Donald Trump, helping him catch up with President Joe Biden’s early fundraising lead by donating large sums to support his candidacy after many of them backed Trump’s primary opponents or disavowed him when he left office.

Harold Hamm: The Continental Resources founder and longtime Trump friend—who donated to former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ primary bids—was among the attendees at the now-infamous April Mar-A-Lago dinner with oil executives where Trump reportedly pitched industry-friendly policies while soliciting a US$1 billion (FJ$2.24bn) donation, and in May, Hamm co-hosted a Houston fundraiser for Trump, Reuters reported. (We estimate Hamm is worth US$18.5 billion (FJ$41.49bn))

Timothy Mellon: A longtime Republican mega-donor and top contributor to Trump’s 2020 campaign, Mellon is the most prolific donor of the 2024 election cycle, USA Today reported, citing OpenSecrets data that shows Mellon donated US$25 million (FJ$56.07m) each to super PACs backing both Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (We estimate the Mellon family is worth $14.1 billion (FJ$31.62bn))

Bernie Marcus: The Home depot co-founder gave US$1 million (FJ$2.24m) to Trump’s main super PAC, MAGA Inc, in the second half of 2023, according to Politico, and he co-hosted an Atlanta fundraiser for Trump in April. (We estimate Marcus is worth $9.6 billion (FJ$21.53bn))

Kelcy Warren: After donating to DeSantis’ primary bid, marking a reversal from his support for Trump’s 2020 re-election bid, the Energy Transfer pipeline company founder gave upwards of US$800,000 (FJ$1,794,200) to Trump’s campaign apparatus, the Trump 47 committee, in the first quarter, according to FEC filings, and he and co-hosted the May fundraiser with Hamm. (We estimate Warren is worth US$6 billion (FJ$13.46bn))

Isaac Perlmutter: Former chairman and CEO of Marvel Entertainment and a longtime Trump associate who advised him on Veterans Affairs policies during his first term, Perlmutter and his wife, Laura, made the largest donation, US$10.1 million (FJ$ 22.65m), to a new pro-Trump super PAC, Right for America, in the first quarter. (We estimate Perlmutter is worth $4.3 billion (FJ$9.64bn))

J. Joe Ricketts: Chairman of TD Ameritrade, Ricketts gave the maximum amount, $824,600 (FJ$1,849,371.65), to the Trump 47 Committee. (We estimate Ricketts is worth $4 billion (FJ$8.97bn))

John Paulson: The hedge fund billionaire—who is reportedly on Trump’s shortlist for treasury secretary if he wins a second term— hosted a $50 million (FJ$112.14m) fundraiser for Trump at his Palm Beach home in April, and co-hosted a Manhattan fundraiser in May with billionaires Woody Johnson and John Catsimatidis. (We estimate Paulson is worth $3.5 billion (FJ$7.85bn))

Steve Wynn: Wynn—former casino mogul and Republican National Committee finance chair who was sued by the Justice Department last year for allegedly lobbying Trump on behalf of the Chinese government—was listed as a co-host at Paulson’s Palm Beach fundraiser and donated more than $800,000 (FJ$1,794,200) to Trump 47 during the first quarter of this year. (We estimate Wynn is worth US$3.4 billion (FJ$ 7.63bn))

Geoffrey Palmer: One of Trump’s biggest backers in 2016, the Los Angeles real estate magnate donated

US$1 million (FJ$2.24m) to MAGA Inc, in the second half of 2023, Politico reported, and more than US$80,000 (FJ$1,794,200) to Trump 47 in the first quarter of 2024. (We estimate Palmer is worth $3.1 billion)

Linda McMahon: Donating US$11 million (FJ$24.67m) to support Trump this election cycle, making her his second-largest donor after Mellon, McMahon is the co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), alongside her husband, Vince McMahon. (We estimate Vincent McMahon is worth US$2.9bn)