Pro-Trump Bill Ackman gives $250K to Andrew Cuomo – Business News
Billionaire hedge fund supervisor Bill Ackman has donated $250,000 to a tremendous PAC supporting Andrew Cuomo’s marketing campaign for New York City mayor, in accordance to current marketing campaign finance disclosures.
Ackman, a longtime Democrat who just lately introduced his assist for President Trump, made the donation to Fix the City, a political motion committee backing Cuomo, the previous governor who has attracted the assist of GOP-affiliated figures as he makes an attempt a political comeback.
Ackman’s contribution, which was first reported by Politico, helped the pro-Cuomo PAC surpass $4.8 million in complete fundraising, giving the previous governor a appreciable benefit over his more progressive rivals.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo obtained a marketing campaign donation from a billionaire hedge fund supervisor who backs President Donald Trump. James Keivom
New Yorkers for Better Leadership, a tremendous PAC fashioned to oppose Cuomo’s candidacy, reported just one qualifying contribution — a $1,000 donation from climate tech investor Thomas O’Keefe, Politico reported.
Other anti-Cuomo teams have raised restricted funds as nicely.
New Yorkers for Lower Costs, which helps democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani, has introduced in simply $56,500. Meanwhile, a group working beneath the slogan “Don’t Rank Evil Andrew for Mayor” has reported a mere $10,500 in sizable contributions.
Fix the City, by comparability, has drawn 71 giant donors since early March, together with heavyweights within the real estate and business sectors.
Among the notable current contributors: builders Kamran and Frederick Elghanayan of TF Cornerstone ($25,000 every); packaging magnate Dennis Mehiel ($50,000); and Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff, a Republican who served as New Jersey’s state treasurer beneath former Governor Chris Christie ($5,000).
These donations underscore Cuomo’s appeal to financial elites as he leads in early mayoral polls.
Bill Ackman donated $250,000 to a tremendous PAC backing Cuomo’s mayoral candidacy. REUTERS
Ackman’s assist additional illustrates the weird political alliances forming within the race.
Ackman, identified for his outspoken views, has drawn criticism for opposing range, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, prompting common protests from civil rights chief Al Sharpton.
Though he just lately broke with Trump on tariffs, he rapidly applauded the previous president’s choice to delay new levies, calling it “brilliantly executed” and praising it as “Textbook, Art of the Deal.”
Ackman and Fix the City declined to touch upon the donation.
His political exercise has spanned each main events. In addition to supporting Cuomo, he gave $2,034 to long-shot Democratic candidate Whitney Tilson, a fellow Harvard alum, and beforehand contributed $250,000 to a tremendous PAC for Ray McGuire during the 2021 mayoral race.
Cuomo’s fundraising haul has drawn backlash from opponents who argue his donor base is out of step with progressive Democratic values.
Cuomo, who’s making an attempt a political comeback, has raised appreciable sums of money from curiosity teams. James Keivom
“No one is surprised Trump agent Ackman is bankrolling Cuomo’s Super PAC,” mentioned Dora Pekec, a spokesperson for City Comptroller and mayoral hopeful Brad Lander.
“Cuomo himself accepted thousands in donations from MAGA donors who helped elect Trump.”
Lauren Hitt, talking for New Yorkers for Better Leadership, insisted there’s nonetheless room for a well-funded problem.
“Cuomo is still very beatable,” she mentioned. “His lead is primarily rooted in the fact that his challengers are virtually unknown.”
Earlier supporters of Fix the City embody leisure mogul Barry Diller, Walmart inheritor Alice Walton, and singer Billy Joel, a longtime buddy of Cuomo.
The PAC is run by Steven Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant.
While mayoral candidates within the metropolis’s matching funds program face a $2,100 donation cap, tremendous PACs can settle for limitless contributions so long as they continue to be impartial of the campaigns.
The Post has sought remark from Ackman and Cuomo.
