Explore the reemergence of wealthy donors supporting Trump's bid for the US presidency in 2024. Delve into the role of money in the upcoming election, including Wall Street's uncertainty and the impact of super PACs. Discover the influence of money in politics and Taylor Swift's connection to campaign finance. Uncover Taylor Swift's impact on conservative voters and the conspiracy theory surrounding her and the Super Bowl. Reflect on the strategy of targeting Swift and admire her resilience.
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Wealthy donors are returning to support Trump's potential Republican nomination, recognizing his potential to become president again and engaging with him to protect their interests.
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley's campaign aims to influence the direction of the party away from Trump, and her donors are supporting her as a potential last resort in achieving this goal.
Deep dives
Big Business Hedge Bets on Trump's Potential Nomination
Despite previously distancing themselves from then-President Trump after the January 6th insurrection, wealthy donors are returning to support Trump's potential Republican nomination. Business leaders, such as Jamie Diamond of JP Morgan, are engaging with Trump to protect their interests, recognizing his potential to become president again. These donors are taking precautions to avoid being targeted, as Trump has a history of rewarding friends and punishing enemies in the business world. Wall Street's recent support for Nikki Haley's Super PAC, while acknowledging her narrowing path to the GOP nomination, highlights the hedging behavior among wealthy individuals. The numbers reveal that Trump's legal battles are both a source of fundraising success and financial strain, as his campaign spent $52 million on legal fees, equivalent to Joe Biden's campaign cash on hand.
Nikki Haley's Fundraising Success and Uncertain Future
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley raised $69 million last year, benefiting from the withdrawal of other candidates in the race. She currently has the finances and support to continue campaigning, particularly in her home state of South Carolina. However, the future beyond South Carolina remains uncertain. While some donors have switched their support from other candidates to Haley, it is unclear where their loyalty would shift in the case of her withdrawal from the race. Haley's campaign aims to influence the direction of the party away from Trump, and her donors are supporting her as a potential last resort in achieving this goal.
Campaign Finance in US Politics and Taylor Swift's Influence
Campaign finance plays a significant role in US politics, allowing individuals to contribute unlimited funds to support specific candidates through super PACs. In 2020, Joe Biden raised over a billion dollars, surpassing Trump's fundraising efforts. However, fundraising success does not guarantee victory in elections. While celebrities' impact on elections is typically limited, Taylor Swift holds a unique position of influence, particularly among conservative families who appreciate her clean image and connections to American football. Conservatives' attempt to bring her down over baseless conspiracy theories is unlikely to succeed and may even bolster her popularity further. In the broader context, the cost of presidential elections, around $10 billion in 2020, becomes relatively small when compared to other industries' marketing budgets.
Business leaders backed away from Donald Trump after his supporters attacked the US Capitol in 2021. Now, political donors are warming to the former president again as he runs for his party’s nomination ahead of elections later this year. The FT’s Alex Rogers and Edward Luce explain why donations are flowing in the way they are.