Billionaire Donor Griffin Gives $5M to DeSantis But Withholds 2024 Presidential Endorsement, Seeks New GOP Voice Beyond Trump and DeSantis

Kenneth Griffin, a billionaire GOP donor, gave $5 million to support Ron DeSantis' 2022 re-election as Florida governor.
However, Griffin has not yet backed a candidate for president in 2024, even though he wants the GOP to move on from Trump.
Griffin said he is "still on the sidelines" and expressed dissatisfaction with DeSantis' presidential campaign strategy and messaging.
Griffin said his "dream" would be a younger, different Republican candidate with a new tone, contrasting with Trump and DeSantis.
As a mega-donor who spent over $100 million in 2022, Griffin's support could make a big difference for an anti-Trump candidate if he decides to back one.

nytimes.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/8/2023

Ron DeSantis replaces his campaign manager as he reboots his presidential bid

Main Topic: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shakes up his campaign leadership, appointing James Uthmeier as his new presidential campaign manager. Key Points: 1. Generra Peck, DeSantis' previous campaign manager, has been replaced by James Uthmeier. 2. DeSantis trails Donald Trump in public polling and has laid off 40% of his campaign staff to cut costs. 3. The first debates scheduled for August 23 are seen as a crucial moment for DeSantis to regain momentum and close the gap with Trump.

9/18/2023

Billionaire Donor Ken Griffin Stays Neutral in 2024 GOP Primary, Questions DeSantis Campaign

Billionaire and Citadel CEO Ken Griffin, a major Republican donor, remains undecided on which candidate to support in the GOP presidential primary and is currently sitting on the sidelines, expressing disappointment with the alternatives to frontrunner Donald Trump and his desire for younger candidates with a different tone for America.

9/18/2023

DeSantis Losing Support of Top Donor Ken Griffin Over Disney Feud and Unclear 2024 Strategy

Ken Griffin, the biggest donor to Ron DeSantis' 2022 re-election campaign, is not supporting DeSantis' presidential bid and questions the governor's voter appeal.

9/18/2023

Griffin Withholds Support From DeSantis, Prefers Younger GOP Candidates

Citadel CEO Ken Griffin, a major Republican donor worth $35 billion, has no immediate plans to donate to any GOP presidential primary candidates, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, as he finds none of the candidates compelling and wishes for younger candidates with different ideas and principles; this decision is particularly bad news for DeSantis, who has seen a decline in support recently.

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Posted 9/19/2023, 12:28:27 AM

Billionaire Donor Griffin Gives $5M to DeSantis But Withholds 2024 Presidential Endorsement, Seeks New GOP Voice Beyond Trump and DeSantis

Kenneth Griffin, a billionaire GOP donor, gave $5 million to support Ron DeSantis' 2022 re-election as Florida governor.
However, Griffin has not yet backed a candidate for president in 2024, even though he wants the GOP to move on from Trump.
Griffin said he is "still on the sidelines" and expressed dissatisfaction with DeSantis' presidential campaign strategy and messaging.
Griffin said his "dream" would be a younger, different Republican candidate with a new tone, contrasting with Trump and DeSantis.
As a mega-donor who spent over $100 million in 2022, Griffin's support could make a big difference for an anti-Trump candidate if he decides to back one.

nytimes.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/8/2023

Ron DeSantis replaces his campaign manager as he reboots his presidential bid

9/18/2023

Billionaire Donor Ken Griffin Stays Neutral in 2024 GOP Primary, Questions DeSantis Campaign

9/18/2023

DeSantis Losing Support of Top Donor Ken Griffin Over Disney Feud and Unclear 2024 Strategy

Ken Griffin, the biggest donor to Ron DeSantis' 2022 re-election campaign, is not supporting DeSantis' presidential bid and questions the governor's voter appeal.

9/18/2023

Griffin Withholds Support From DeSantis, Prefers Younger GOP Candidates