Michael Bloomberg becomes 2nd largest Harris donor behind George Soros: Report

Former New York City politician and billionaire businessman Michael Bloomberg became nan second-largest individual philanthropist to Vice President Kamala Harris' run aft George Soros, pursuing a reported $50 cardinal aid to nan main ace PAC backing nan vice president's campaign. 

Bloomberg donated astir $20 cardinal complete nan summertime to support President Biden's re-election campaign, but he conspicuously held retired immoderate donations to Harris aft she replaced Biden connected nan Democratic Party's ticket. However, amid unit from chap billionaires, Bloomberg did yet trim a cheque to support Harris, according to The New York Times, which reportedly said pinch 4 group who are acquainted pinch nan donation. 

The $50 cardinal went to Future Forward USA Action, nan main acheronian money ace PAC that is supporting Harris. Prior to Harris taking complete nan ticket, Future Forward was nan main governmental action committee supporting Biden.

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Bloomberg's aid follows different $50 cardinal aid to Future Forward from Bill Gates. Sources who said to nan Times indicated that Bloomberg and his squad had been fielding requests from high-profile Democratic donors, specified arsenic Gates, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and task capitalist Ron Conway, urging nan erstwhile politician to see cutting a cheque for Harris. Two group acquainted pinch nan matter said that Bloomberg besides precocious said pinch Harris complete nan phone.

Mayor Mike Bloomberg, left, and New England Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft converse during nan yearly Alfred E. Smith Foundation Dinner astatine nan New York Hilton Midtown connected Oct. 17, 2024 successful New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Michael Smith, president of House Majority PAC, defended Bloomberg's determination to hold until nan last days earlier nan predetermination to donate, calling nan move "deliberate" and "sophisticated," according to nan Times. "There should beryllium nary anticipation that immoderate individual philanthropist is conscionable going to springiness to you," Smith argued. "Mike’s not giving money to anyone conscionable to springiness money."  

Meanwhile, Quentin James, nan laminitis and president of Collective PAC, told The Times that he "very clearly" disagrees pinch nan strategy "because time, not precocious money, is ever our champion weapon."

From near to right, President Biden, erstwhile NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and erstwhile President Donald Trump be nan yearly 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony astatine nan National 9/11 Memorial and Museum connected Sept. 11, 2024 successful New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Prior to Bloomberg's astir caller donation, nan erstwhile New York City politician had fixed astir $47 cardinal successful federally disclosed governmental contributions this cycle, according to reports. That included his astir $20 cardinal fixed to Biden earlier he dropped out, which went to Future Forward, and different $10 cardinal to support Democrats successful nan House. 

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The Times reported that Bloomberg was hesitant to springiness further costs to Future Forward beyond his first $20 cardinal he gave erstwhile Biden was running, pinch nan billionaire citing nan occurrence nan vice president was already having fundraising.

President Biden, left, and erstwhile New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, laminitis of Bloomberg Philanthropies, shingle hands connected shape astatine nan Bloomberg Global Business Forum connected Sept. 24, 2024 successful New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Bloomberg Philanthropies)

According to The Times, Bloomberg felt spending his money connected ballot initiatives and different authorities initiatives was a bigger priority. Just this week, Bloomberg gave $2.5 cardinal to reason a ballot measurement successful Massachusetts that intends to get free of standardized testing requirements for precocious schoolhouse graduates. 

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Bloomberg's donations this rhythm are overmuch smaller than they were successful 2020. After breaking spending records connected his ain run that year, Bloomberg dropped retired but continued helping Democrats to nan tune of astir $173 million. It was reported that he gave $100 cardinal unsocial to Biden conscionable to thief him triumph successful nan state of Florida. Bloomberg's $173 cardinal successful 2020 is $126 cardinal much than he spent successful this existent statesmanlike cycle.

Fox News Digital reached retired to Bloomberg Philanthropies, but nan group declined to comment.