Conservative billionaires Liz and Dick Uihlein have committed to financially supporting Donald Trump‘s campaign, aiming to bolster his fundraising efforts against President Joe Biden. The Uihleins, renowned for founding the Uline shipping and packaging company, initially backed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the Republican primary race before his withdrawal.
Following Trump’s sweeping victories in 14 out of 15 states during Super Tuesday primaries and Nikki Haley‘s exit from the Republican race, the Uihleins redirected their support towards Trump.
This move comes as Trump faces a fundraising deficit compared to Biden, with his campaign reporting a decrease in cash holdings to just over $30 million by January’s end.
In contrast, Biden’s campaign saw an increase in cash reserves to approximately $56 million during the same period. The Uihleins, having contributed $1.5 million each to DeSantis, now pledge a similar amount to Trump, aiming to bolster his financial position in the race.
The Wisconsin-based couple has a history of significant political contributions, totaling over $250 million to federal candidates and political groups since the 2016 election cycle.
While previously supporting Trump in past elections, they opted for DeSantis initially for the 2024 race before reverting to Trump following DeSantis’s withdrawal.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Liz Uihlein expressed skepticism regarding the necessity of extensive campaign donations, considering both Trump and Biden’s already established public personas.
She questioned the effectiveness of pouring large sums into campaigns at this stage when the candidates are well-known to the electorate.
As the Uihleins pledge their support to Trump, their decision underscores the critical role of financial backing in electoral campaigns and highlights ongoing efforts to secure resources for the upcoming election cycle.
