New analysis sheds light on billionaire GOP donor’s questionable commitment to DeSantis
A new analysis is shedding light on the financial relationship between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and hedge fund billionaire Kenneth Griffin.
In a new piece published by The New York Times, Maggie Haberman and Rebecca Davis O’Brien detail the timeline of DeSantis and Griffin's dealings and how it appears that dynamic has changed over the last several months.
"Kenneth Griffin, the Republican megadonor and hedge fund executive, seemed poised to be a powerful financial backer of Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida in his anticipated run for president," Haberman and O'Brien wrote.
"These days, Mr. Griffin is keeping his cards closer to the vest, and his intentions are harder to discern," they wrote. "A person familiar with his thinking, noting that Mr. DeSantis had not yet made his run official, said Mr. Griffin was still evaluating the Republican primary race as it unfolded."
The writers went on to report the latest developments highlighting details about a recent meeting between the two.
"The financier and Mr. DeSantis met in Florida in the last two weeks, according to two people with knowledge of the meeting, which came as Mr. Griffin has taken issue in private conversations with some of Mr. DeSantis’s policy moves and pronouncements," the report reads. "In particular, the two people said, Mr. Griffin was deeply troubled by Mr. DeSantis’s statements that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a “territorial dispute” — a remark he later tried to clarify — and that the war was not a vital U.S. interest."
Although Griffin is focused on distancing himself from former President Donald Trump, the writers note that he also isn't pleased with DeSantis, namely his push to ban abortion at 6 weeks. But despite apprehension, the writers insist Griffin may still be on board with the Republican governor.
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Sharing an account from one individual with knowledge of the meeting, they wrote:
"One person predicted the financier was still likely to donate to Mr. DeSantis once he made his candidacy official, which could happen as early as next month. But the person said Mr. Griffin might also give to other candidates who seemed able to defeat Mr. Trump."
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