A group of affluent donors have emerged as key supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, contributing over $50 million to his campaign against Democratic incumbent Joe Biden. As small donations dwindle and some traditional Republican donors back away, these super-rich benefactors play a crucial role in funding Trump’s campaign.
The top five major donors to Trump, according to a Reuters analysis of Federal Election Commission data, include the 81-year-old heir to the Mellon banking family, who has donated at least $16.5 million to the pro-Trump Super PAC MAGA Inc. Since 2022. Another major donor is former Marvel Entertainment chairman Isaac “Ike” Perlmutter and his wife Laura, who have contributed over $10 million to a new Trump Super PAC called Right for America.
Linda McMahon, former head of the Small Business Administration in the Trump administration, has donated more than $10 million to MAGA Inc. The 79-year-old hotel magnate from Nevada, Bigelow, has also contributed over $9 million to Trump’s campaign. The major donor of Scientology Church, Patricia Duggan, has donated over $5 million this election cycle.
These wealthy donors play a significant role in financing Trump’s campaign by providing crucial financial support in a landscape where traditional donors may be less inclined to contribute. Their contributions underscore the importance of big donors in American politics and the role they play in shaping election outcomes.
