GOP Megadonor Believes Trump's Days Are Over; Supports DeSantis Presidential Bid

Illinois - Ken Griffin (Getty) — Illinois Ken Griffin ($9 billion) Griffin started trading stocks while at Harvard in the late ‘80s, installing a satellite on the roof of his dorm to get real-time quotes. In 1990, he founded the global investment firm Citidel, which now maintains an estimated $25 billion in investment capital. He’s donated more than a half-billion dollars to various institutions, many in Chicago, including multimillion dollar contributions to the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Heights Early Childhood Center, the Field Museum and the Chicago Public Library. In November 2017 his charitable fund gifted $150 million to the the University of Chicago’s economics department, now renamed the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics. Getty Images

KEY POINTS

GOP megadonor Ken Griffin gave $5 Million to DeSantis' reelection campaign
DeSantis refused to answer whether he will run for president in 2024
Trump gave DeSantis the nickname "Ron DeSanctimonious"

Republican megadonor and Citadel CEO Ken Griffin believes the GOP should now move on from former President Donald Trump.

Griffin said that while he liked the Trump administration's fiscal policies, and even donated $100,000 to the 2017 inaugural committee, it is time for a new generation of leaders.

"He did a lot of things really well and missed the mark on some important areas," Griffin said in an interview with Politico. "And for a litany of reasons, I think it's time to move on to the next generation."

In October last year, Griffin told Bloomberg TV that he would not back Trump in 2024, calling his administration "pointlessly divisive."

Griffin said he will instead support Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis if he runs for president.

The megadonor has given $60 million to GOP candidates in the 2022 midterm elections. DeSantis has received $5 million from the businessman.

"He has a tremendous record as governor of Florida, and our country would be well-served by him as president," Griffin said.

Despite his vocal support of the governor, the conservative donor disapproved of some of DeSantis' populist policies.

Griffin disagreed with the governor's move to fly Venezuelan migrants from Texas to Martha's Vineyard.

The businessman also voiced his opposition to DeSantis' decision of revoking Disney World's "independent special district" status over the "Don't Say Gay" law, which he felt was like a "retribution."

A possible match-up between Trump and DeSantis is brewing for the 2024 Republican primaries.

During his debate with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, DeSantis was pressed on his political ambitions after the midterms. He refused to answer whether he will serve a full term as Florida governor or challenge Trump for the Republican nomination.

Trump, on the other hand, is likely to announce his presidential bid on Nov. 14, a week after the midterm elections, according to Axios.

During his Florida rally Sunday, Trump mocked DeSantis by giving him the nickname "Ron DeSanctimonious," escalating talks of their possible face-off. The governor didn't appear at the rally.

CBS News chief election correspondent Robert Costa reported that some allies of DeSantis expressed their disgust and anger with Trump over his remarks against the governor.

Several DeSantis allies, some also close to Trump, texted last night and this morning, unprompted, expressing private anger and even disgust w/ Trump for his remarks about the Florida governor. Say they're telling DeS. and his family, and his top aides, to still move twd '24 bid.
— Robert Costa (@costareports) November 6, 2022