With the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaching, influential figures from the realms of business and entertainment are rallying behind candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
Scheduled for November 5, this election will be the 60th in American history, showcasing substantial financial backing from billionaires and endorsements from high-profile celebrities for both campaigns.
A recent Bloomberg report, drawing on data from the Federal Election Commission up to September, reveals that Trump is leading in fundraising efforts, having secured at least $281 million from wealthy supporters.
In contrast, Harris has raised approximately $66.2 million, benefitting from funds carried over from Joe Biden’s previously suspended campaign.
Trump’s campaign has primarily received significant contributions from tech billionaire Elon Musk and philanthropist Miriam Adelson, each contributing more than $100 million.
Meanwhile, Harris’s major supporters include Meta co-founder Dustin Moskovitz and Netflix CEO Reed Hastings.
Here’s a closer look at some of the wealthiest and most influential backers of each candidate.
Prominent Billionaires Endorsing Donald Trump
– **Elon Musk**, CEO of Tesla: With an estimated net worth of $270.3 billion, Musk has contributed over $100 million to Trump’s campaign.
– **Stephen Schwarzman**, Blackstone Chairman: Schwarzman, with a fortune around $54.2 billion, has donated $419,600.
– **Thomas Peterffy**, Chairman of Interactive Brokers: Known for his $44.9 billion net worth, Peterffy has contributed $844,000.
– **Miriam Adelson**, Las Vegas Sands Majority Shareholder: Holding a wealth of $37.5 billion, Adelson has given more than $100 million.
– **Jeff Hildebrand**, Founder of Hilcorp Energy: Valued at $18.3 billion, Hildebrand’s support amounts to $515,000.
– **Jan Koum**, WhatsApp Co-founder: With a net worth of $17.3 billion, Koum has donated $5.1 million.
– **Harold Hamm**, Chairman of Continental Resources: His estimated $14.5 billion fortune includes a contribution of $1.2 million.
– **Diane Hendricks**, ABC Supply Owner: Worth $14.3 billion, Hendricks has contributed $15 million.
– **Tilman Fertitta**, Fertitta Entertainment CEO: Fertitta, valued at $13.8 billion, has supported Trump with $487,000.
– **Andy Beal**, President of Beal Financial: His $13.6 billion fortune includes a $2 million donation.
– **Marc Rowan**, Co-founder and CEO of Apollo Global Management: Rowan has contributed $1 million from his $10.2 billion net worth.
– **Woody Johnson IV**, Owner of the New York Jets: Johnson, with an $8.8 billion net worth, has donated $2 million.
– **Bill Ackman**, CEO of Pershing Square: His $7.7 billion wealth includes a $419,000 contribution.
– **Joe Ricketts**, TD Ameritrade Founder: Valued at $7.7 billion, Ricketts has donated $867,900.
– **Bernie Marcus**, Home Depot Co-founder: With a $7.5 billion net worth, Marcus has contributed $1 million.
– **Kelcy Warren**, Chairman of Energy Transfer LP: Known for a $7.4 billion fortune, Warren has donated $10 million.
– **Edward Roski**, President of Majestic Realty: Roski, with a $7.3 billion net worth, has donated $100,000.
– **Gary Rollins**, Chairman of Rollins Inc.: His estimated wealth of $6.8 billion includes a $12,500 donation.
These billionaires underscore Trump’s substantial financial backing from some of America’s wealthiest figures, contributing to his significant campaign fund.
Celebrity Endorsements for Donald Trump
Trump has strong backing from various entertainment sectors:
– **Film & Television:** Hollywood veterans like Jon Voight, Dennis Quaid, and Mel Gibson have voiced their support for Trump, joined by personalities like Zachary Levi and Roseanne Barr.
– **Music:** Musicians such as Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, Amber Rose, and Azealia Banks have endorsed Trump’s candidacy.
– **Sports:** In the sports world, Trump is supported by boxing legend Mike Tyson, former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan, and former NFL star Lawrence Taylor, among others.
Prominent Billionaires Endorsing Kamala Harris
– **Bill Gates**, Microsoft Co-founder: With a net worth of $160.2 billion, Gates has donated $50 million.
– **Lukas Walton**, Walmart Founder’s Grandson: Walton, holding a $36.4 billion fortune, has contributed $416,000.
– **Eric Schmidt**, Former Alphabet CEO: Known for his $32.3 billion net worth, Schmidt has given $1.6 million.
– **Dustin Moskovitz**, Meta Platforms Co-founder: Valued at $26.6 billion, Moskovitz has donated $38 million.
– **Christy Walton**, Walmart Founder’s Daughter-in-law: Walton, with a net worth of $16.4 billion, has donated $25,000.
– **Melinda French Gates**, Former Co-chair of Gates Foundation: Her $15 billion wealth includes $920,000 in contributions.
– **Elizabeth Johnson**, Daughter of Fidelity Investments’ Ned Johnson III: Johnson has donated $200,000 from her $13.2 billion fortune.
– **Laurene Powell Jobs**, Founder of Emerson Collective: Powell Jobs, with $11.6 billion, has given $2 million.
– **David Shaw**, Founder of DE Shaw & Co.: With a net worth of $10.7 billion, Shaw has donated $295,000.
– **Steven Spielberg**, Filmmaker: Spielberg, valued at $9.6 billion, has supported Harris with $1.5 million.
– **Jon Gray**, Blackstone President: With a $9.4 billion fortune, Gray has donated $500,000.
– **Lynn Schusterman**, Philanthropist: Schusterman’s $8.9 billion wealth includes a $5,575 donation.
– **Joe Gebbia**, Airbnb Co-founder: Worth $8.3 billion, Gebbia has contributed $20,000.
– **Pat Stryker**, Stryker Corp. Shareholder: With an $8.1 billion net worth, Stryker has donated $500,000.
– **Henry Laufer**, Former Renaissance Technologies Scientist: Laufer, with $8 billion, has given $1 million.
– **John Doerr**, Kleiner Perkins Co-founder: With a $7.9 billion fortune, Doerr has contributed $1.3 million.
– **Mark Cuban**, Dallas Mavericks Co-owner: Cuban, worth $7.8 billion, is yet to donate.
– **John Sall**, SAS Institute Co-founder: Sall, with $7.7 billion, has donated $82,000.
– **Tony James**, Former Blackstone Executive: With $7.2 billion, James has donated $250,000.
– **Margot Perot**, Widow of Ross Perot: Valued at $7 billion, she has contributed $20,000.
– **Gordon Getty**, Son of J. Paul Getty: With a net worth of $6.7 billion, Getty has given $1.8 million.
– **George Soros**, Founder of Soros Fund Management: Soros, valued at $6.5 billion, has contributed $1.8 million.
– **Reed Hastings**, Netflix Co-founder: Known for his $6.5 billion fortune, Hastings has donated $6.9 million.
– **James Cox Chambers**, Cox Enterprises Shareholder: Chambers has contributed $1.2 million from his $5.7 billion net worth.
– **Katharine Rayner**, Cox Enterprises Shareholder: Valued at $5.7 billion, Rayner has donated $300,000.
Celebrity Endorsements for Kamala Harris
Harris’s appeal has drawn endorsements from prominent figures in music, film, and sports:
– **Music Industry:** Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Eminem have voiced support for Harris, with others such as Cher, Lizzo, and Nicky Jam joining the ranks.
– **Hollywood:** High-profile actors like Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Roberts, George Clooney, and Jennifer Lawrence have publicly backed Harris, alongside figures like Octavia Spencer, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Mindy Kaling.
– **Sports:** NBA icons such as Steve Kerr, Steph Curry, and LeBron James have endorsed Harris, joined by legendary figures like Billie Jean King and Magic Johnson.
These endorsements from prominent individuals highlight the extensive reach and prominence of the candidates’ campaigns as they compete for leadership in the forthcoming 2024 election.
