DeSantis’ Biggest Donor Now Thinks Trump Will Beat Him In GOP Presidential Race

Topline

Hotel magnate and aerospace entrepreneur Robert Bigelow—who gave $20 million to a pro-Ron DeSantis super PAC in March—is now criticizing the Florida governor’s presidential campaign, hinting to the Financial Times he might throw his support behind Donald Trump, who leads among candidates for the Republican presidential nomination.

Entrepreneur Robert Bigelow donated over $20 million to DeSantis’s super PAC in March, the most … [+] money any 2024 campaign has received. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Key Facts

Bigelow pointed to Hamas’ attack on Israel as a reason why he might shift his support to Trump, telling the Financial Times in an article published Wednesday the U.S. needs a strong and “streetwise” leader like the former president.

He also told the Financial Times he thinks if Trump—who has been indicted four times—can stay out of jail, he will win the Republican presidential primary.

Bigelow’s donation is the single largest contribution to Never Back Down by an individual, according to Federal Election Commission records.

After DeSantis signed a bill in April banning abortion past six weeks in Florida, Bigelow started criticizing the governor and told Reuters over the summer he was no longer going to donate to his campaign.

Bigelow told the Financial Times DeSantis is “way too focused on conservatism,” and Trump is more socially moderate, which he previously told Reuters will attract more voters.

The entrepreneur—who founded space company Bigelow Aerospace and hotel chain Budget Suites of America—also compared Trump to a bull, and DeSantis to “dinner.”

Key Background

Bigelow told Reuters he’s shared his concerns over DeSantis’s “extremism” with the DeSantis campaign, but did not specify which of the governor’s policies he didn’t support other than the six-week abortion ban. The entrepreneur told Reuters he was not donating more money at the time until he saw DeSantis could “generate more on his own.” DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley are fighting for second place, far behind Trump, in polls for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. DeSantis’ standing in the polls has slid since he launched his campaign, and a number of wealthy DeSantis donors have shied away from his campaign. General election polls show a tight general election race between likely Democratic nominee President Joe Biden and likely GOP nominee Trump.

Crucial Quote

“Who would you want as a commander? I’d want somebody that would be a hell of an ass kicker if he needed to be. On the face of it, you lean toward Trump,” Bigelow told the Financial Times.

What To Watch For

The third Republican primary debate is Wednesday evening in Miami between five candidates—Chris Christie, Vivek Ramaswamy, Tim Scott, Haley and DeSantis. Trump is skipping the debate and is holding a rally nearby.

Tangent

Top GOP donor and venture capitalist Keith Rabois, who previously called himself a “significant supporter” of DeSantis, was expected to host a fundraiser for Haley in late October, ABC News reported.