According to a stunning report from CNBC, the liberal billionaire who has helped fund Nikki Haley’s anti-Trump presidential campaign does not aim to give her any more money after her smackdown in New Hampshire. That billionaire is Reid Hoffman, and he’s headed for the exit despite Haley claiming that she will stay in the race despite her loss.
As background, Haley’s best shot early on was expected to be New Hampshire, as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis dropping out united the anti-Trump vote behind her, a large number of non-Republicans voted in the primary for her, and New Hampshire is a more “moderate” state for the GOP than much of the Southeast and Midwest. Despite that, she still lost by a wide margin.
After news of her loss, CNBC released a report on Hoffman’s funding of her campaign coming to a halt. According to that report, it was an anonymous spokesperson close to Hoffman who informed CNBC that the liberal billionaire has no further plans to help her out. That will be a large financial blow to the Haley Campaign, as Hoffman donated a quarter of a million dollars to a pro-Haley super PAC in 2023.
Hoffman’s donations to Haley drew attention not just because of their size, but because of his worldview. Though he was evidently willing to financially back the neocon candidate’s campaign, he has generally used the money he earned as a co-founder of LinkedIn to finance Democratic Party candidates and causes in years past.
Explaining his donations in a LinkedIn post, Hoffman wrote, “While I am a staunch supporter of Biden and hope he will win a second term, I also provided financial support to Nikki Haley’s super PAC even though some polls show Haley doing better than Trump in a general election against Biden. I did so because my first priority is American democracy and the integrity of our legal system. That means my first priority is to defeat Trump, and the primary is the first of two chances to do so.”
Continuing, Hoffman added, “I agree with The Economist that a Trump re-election is the greatest threat the world faces in 2024, and with The Atlantic that a second Trump term would pose an “existential threat to America and to the ideas that animate it.” Those of us who believe in America must link arms to block Donald Trump from regaining the White House.”
In any case, Haley’s fundraising problems don’t stop with Hoffman. Though he was a large donor, CNBC noted that it also heard from a Republican fundraiser that three individuals who had each helped raise $100,000 for Haley’s campaign had backed out of further financial backing of her campaign. CNBC also noted that other fundraisers, even if they remain in Haley’s camp, see her fundraising hopes dimming as she loses state after state to former President Donald Trump.
Haley, for her part, has vowed to remain in the race. After her New Hampshire loss, she said, “We got out there, we did our thing and we said what we had to say, and then Donald Trump got out there and just threw a temper tantrum. He pitched a fit. He was insulting. He was doing what he does, but I know that’s what he does when he’s insecure. I know that’s what he does when he is threatened, and he should feel threatened without a doubt.” She added, “Bring it, Donald, show me what you got.” Watch Haley attack Trump and challenge him over South Carolina here:
Trump, for his part, blasted Haley after his victory, noting that he “won new Hampshire three times now…” and that Haley was “doing a speech like she won.” Making his stance on her performance clear, he said, “She didn’t win. She lost.” Watch him attack Haley here:
Featured image credit: By Bill Clark (Roll Call) – https://www.insider.com/nikki-haley-kids-daughter-rena-wedding-2023-4, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=138159468
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