Former Marvel Entertainment chairman, Ike Perlmutter, is reportedly planning a significant donation to support former President Donald Trump’s potential 2024 presidential run. Perlmutter, who has been a close associate of Trump for over two decades, has not yet determined the exact amount he will contribute, but his spokesman stated that it will be a “meaningful” sum. During the 2020 election cycle, Perlmutter and his wife donated a combined $21 million to a pro-Trump super PAC. Perlmutter also served as an outside advisor to Trump on matters related to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
With a net worth of over $3 billion, Perlmutter is one of the wealthiest backers of Trump’s political endeavors. Following the January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill riot and lackluster 2022 midterm election results, many megadonors who previously supported Trump are exploring alternative options. The Make America Great Again super PAC, which is aligned with Trump, is expected to receive financial support from Perlmutter. The super PAC began the year with $54 million on hand and has already spent over $19 million on TV and digital ads.
Trump currently leads in the Republican primary polls, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as his closest rival. Perlmutter’s decision to back Trump again could pose a challenge for DeSantis, as some of his donors have expressed concerns about the trajectory of his campaign. Perlmutter previously donated over $250,000 to a state-level PAC supporting DeSantis during his gubernatorial campaigns in 2018 and 2022. His wife contributed over $2 million to the same pro-DeSantis PAC.
Recent reports indicate that Perlmutter had a dinner meeting with fellow GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. After being ousted from Disney earlier this year, Perlmutter spoke with DeSantis and agreed that the company should refrain from involvement in politics. This conversation followed Disney’s criticism of a Republican-backed bill known as “Don’t Say Gay.” Perlmutter claimed that he was fired as chairman of Marvel Entertainment because he aggressively pushed for cost-cutting measures and faced opposition from executives aligned with newly returned CEO Bob Iger. However, a Disney representative stated that Perlmutter’s termination was part of the company’s broader cost-cutting efforts.
In response to DeSantis’ campaign rhetoric against Disney, Iger called the attacks “preposterous and inaccurate” during an interview with CNBC. He also announced a reduction in content spending and creation for the Star Wars and Marvel franchises.
In what ways could Perlmutter’s substantial contribution to Trump’s potential 2024 campaign impact the race, considering his previous significant donations and wealth
Former Marvel Entertainment chairman, Ike Perlmutter, is reportedly making plans to make a significant donation in support of former President Donald Trump’s potential 2024 presidential run. Having been a close associate of Trump for more than two decades, Perlmutter has not yet determined the exact amount he will contribute, but a spokesman for him has confirmed that it will be a “meaningful” donation.
Perlmutter’s support for Trump was evident during the 2020 election cycle when he and his wife donated a combined $21 million to a pro-Trump super PAC. Additionally, Perlmutter served as an outside advisor to Trump on matters concerning the Department of Veterans Affairs.
With a net worth of over $3 billion, Perlmutter is one of the wealthiest backers who is aligning himself with Trump’s political ambitions. His contribution to Trump’s potential 2024 campaign is expected to have a substantial impact, given his previous significant donations and long-standing association with the former president.
It’s great to see individuals exercising their right to support political candidates, but I hope this massive donation towards Donald Trump’s 2024 Presidential Run is transparent and adheres to campaign finance laws.