A well-known billionaire with left-wing leanings, who had been contributing funds to the campaign of GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, has ceased his support following her loss to former President Donald Trump in the New Hampshire primary.
According to a person familiar with the situation, LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman has turned off the money spigot for Haley’s campaign, CNBC reported on Thursday.
“Hoffman is one of Haley’s first wealthy donors to start heading for the exit after she said Tuesday that she would remain in the GOP’s nomination contests against” Trump, the outlet noted.
A Republican fundraiser, speaking to CNBC on Wednesday, disclosed that three clients, each having contributed up to $100,000 to support Haley’s campaign, are now retracting their further financial support for the former United Nations ambassador.
Moreover, other fundraisers indicated on Wednesday that, despite their initial intention to publicly endorse Haley, they are now uncertain about their capacity to raise substantial funds for her campaign, citing her current 0-for-2 record as a cause for concern.
According to The New York Times, Hoffman, who is known for backing Democratic candidates, made a $250,000 contribution to a pro-Haley super PAC last year. Additionally, in October, he expressed his support for President Joe Biden while also stating his belief that Haley has the strongest potential to defeat Trump.
Thank you for posting this so we show people he was talking about how you and E Jean Carroll are both bankrolled by the Epstein Islander Reid Hoffman.https://t.co/MwWZeW6ox8
🙃
— Raheem. (@RaheemKassam) January 26, 2024
After the New Hampshire event, Haley, a former governor of South Carolina and one-time UN ambassador under Trump, stated that she would continue to support him if he were to win the GOP nomination over her.
During a conversation with CNN’s Dana Bash, Haley and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu expressed doubts about the 45th president’s suitability for office.
“I think he’s fit, but I’m saying, do we want two 80-year-olds to be our options when we’re talking about president? And that’s not being disrespectful. It’s the fact that we need somebody who’s going to go eight years ready, fully focused to do that. Neither one of them can say that they can do that,” Haley said.
“One, because Trump can’t run longer than four years, but two, is that really what we want to do when we’ve got a country in disarray and a world on fire that we’re going to do that? So, what I’m saying is, you can’t say that when you’re 80 you’re not in decline. Scientifically, you are in decline, no matter who you are,” Haley added.
