Economy
Wall Street Gave Campaign Donations
Biden Received $74M, Trump Received $18M
Despite enjoying one of the best bull runs in history, the market is looking forward to a new sheriff. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Biden is the chosen one. Wall Street gave campaign donations to Democrat Joe Biden $74 Million, while incumbent President Donald Trump got $18 million. This included contributions since 2019 and until the first two weeks of October.
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Biden’s Wall Street Supporters
Joe Biden’s campaign is about to amass $1 billion in the remaining days before the election. Among the Democratic nominee’s supporters is former Goldman Sachs President Harvey Schwartz. He gave $100,000 this October to the Biden Action Fund and other various party fundraisers.
During the 3rd quarter, Wall Street investors lined up to support the Dems. Beginning last week, Biden, the DNC, and other committees received over $330 million. In comparison, Trump and the GOP received a total of $220 million.
Bigger than Obama, Smaller than Hillary’s
Biden's Wall Street donations are larger than the total of Obama’s two runs for president. It falls short of Hillary Clinton’s $87 million hauls in her doomed 2016 run.
As early as January, the Biden campaign approached Wall Street hotshots for support. These included Evercore founder Roger Altman and investor Blair Effron, Blackstone CEO Jonathan Gray, former Citigroup exec Ray McGuire, Centerbridge Partners co-founder Mark Gallogly, and former U.S. Ambassador to France Jane Hartley. A lot of them hosted fundraising events or donated money.
Biden also got big money from supporters from Paloma Partners and Renaissance Technologies. Renaissance’s founder Jim Simons donated $7 million to two super Biden PACs way back in March. He added over $350,000 to the Biden Action Fund in June. Henry Laufer, Renaissance’s chief scientist, gave $625,000 in June to the American Bridge PAC. Meanwhile, Paloma Partners founder Donald Sussman gave $9 million to Biden's super PACs. An added $20 million from other hedge funds and private equity firms rounded off the total.
Most Ever Spent by the Industry for an Election
This year, the investment community gave $625 million in contributions for election campaigns. This covers not only the presidential elections but also congressional and senate contests. It stands on record as the most ever spent by the finance and investment industry.
From the total, $370 million went to super PACs and groups allowed to raise infinite funds.
Democrats got the lion’s share at 63% while the GOP got 37%. $161 million went straight to Dem candidates, while $94 million went to Republicans. Compare it to 2016, where the GOP received half of Wall Street’s money.
Funding for the Dems remained high despite talks of pushbacks to big business. There is opposition within the camp in naming business leaders to the Biden cabinet. Progressives are vocal about not wanting their candidate to cozy up to the big business.
Jeff Hauser of the Revolving Door Project researched potential Biden Cabinet selections. He is “cautiously optimistic” that Wall Street’s funding can influence future appointees. Hauser does believe that the sector’s contributions can help open doors to the Biden White House. He voiced concerns about “conventional thinkers within the Biden world.” These people might insist on paying “deference to the source of that $75 million.”
Meanwhile in the White House
For Donald Trump, Wall Street isn’t as enamored if you look at the numbers. He received a paltry $20 million during his initial run for president. Four years later, donations to his cause are $2 million less. Analysts noted that many previous finance backers held back on the reelection campaign. These include people who gave millions during Trump's 2017 inaugural.
Records show that previous supporters helped Republican Senate or House candidates instead. The market’s support for Trump waned due to his coronavirus response. Anonymous sources noted that investors backed off despite Trump's tax and regulation cuts. Since they think Trump is about to lose, these leaders don't want to invest in him further.
Trump donor Dan Eberhart said “Wall Street is watching the same polls as everyone else. They can see the direction the campaign is going and they are starting to alter their strategy.” He added that “It’s about risk management. If they can’t beat Biden, they know they are going to have to join him.”
Watch this as CNBC breaks down Wall Street campaign donations during the 2020 election:
Loading ...With its contributions, Wall Street implied a decision to support Joe Biden. Should he eke a win, Wall Street will definitely look for returns on its investment. They should remember that this man won over progressives like Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, who aren’t exactly priority invites to ring the stock exchange opening bell. How do you think this will pay off for big money? Let us know what you think by sharing your thoughts in the comment section below.
7 Comments
Wallstreet Sucks
And what were you thinking by backing this degenerate?
why vote for sick man . he should’nt be allow to run for president
Y’all should know that marxist harrass will take over?
Stupid move the Dems will ruin. The economy.
It’s graft and Biden will suck it up.
Definitely a suck-up action. As the world is aware the “president” will be Harris, a true socialist. Your thinking is: If the democrats win, you have a leg-up. If republicans win, the president will keep the economy going will be to your benefit. Hedging your bets is not a good idea with the current uprising. George Soros can destroy any of you he wants and when he wants. If Biden wins, it would be a good idea to hire personal body guards for “key” people.