Hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin believes Nikki Haley could win the 2024 presidential election despite donating $5 million to a super PAC supporting the former South Carolina governor. posed a question.
“The road is narrower than it was eight weeks ago.” Griffin told CNBC. Tuesday for Nicky’s chance to arrive at the White House.
“It’s just narrow,” Griffin reiterated, adding: “I know that many people, myself included, are troubled by some of President Trump’s actions, but there are aspects of him as president that will strengthen global security, especially from American interests. did. “
The 2024 presidential election is shaping up to be a direct showdown between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, but Griffin did not reveal who the second-place candidate is after Haley.
And even though Griffin gave a total of $5 million in two contributions to a pro-Haley super PAC, Haley could overtake Trump, whom the hedge fund giant called “a modern-day martyr.” I questioned whether or not.
“I think there’s a feeling that maybe they want to go back to a president who is more powerful and who is just seen as more responsible. And that’s going to be difficult for Nikki to overcome now,” Griffin said. told CNBC.
He noted that President Trump had implemented “really good policies for America” during his four years in office, according to the newspaper, adding, “With Trump as president, we are all better off than we are now.” “I think I felt safe,” he added.
Meanwhile, Griffin said in a separate statement on Tuesday that he remains focused on “prioritizing economic freedom and a strong defense of the United States at home and abroad, and actively supporting candidates for the U.S. House and Senate.” I’ll go,” he said. Financial Times.
Haley has vowed to continue campaigning in South Carolina, where she was governor from 2011 to 2017, at least through the Feb. 24 primary.
“[Haley’s] Calm and wonderful. Her foreign policy experience is impressive. Her ability to unite this country is incredible. But at this point, we don’t know if that will lead her to South Carolina or beyond,” Griffin told CNBC.
Griffin said the next commander-in-chief must “demonstrate strength and commitment to our allies” amid global conflicts, citing the “Ukraine war” in particular. [and] The dire situation in the Middle East. ”
Asked if he would change his support for Republican front-runner Trump if he faced Joe Biden on the ballot, Griffin said: I’m in the 70%. ”
Griffin refused to “stay out” of politics and went on to praise Dave McCormick, the former chief executive of Bridgewater Associates and Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate, but said that Trump and Biden are not the same. He did not say whether he would vote.
A representative for Griffin at The Citadel declined to comment.
President Trump declared on Truth Social last week that anyone who contributed to Haley would be “forever banned from the MAGA camp” and called Haley, a former ambassador to the United Nations, a “birdbrain.”
Mr. Griffin, who founded Citadel and recently became the world’s top-performing hedge fund with more than $62 billion in assets under management, initially scorned Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and said he would “sit on the sidelines” in the 2024 election cycle. He said he intended to do so. He withdrew from the race earlier this month.
President Trump, 77, has stepped up his attacks on Haley, 52, in recent days, clearly angered by Haley’s refusal to abstain after winning last week’s New Hampshire primary by double digits. ing.
To emphasize its advantage, the Trump campaign has touted the support of more than 150 current and former South Carolina officials, including the state’s governor and both Republican senators.
Haley’s campaign is notorious for extracting cash from billionaires, including $250,000 from LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and $4 million from Charles Koch. .
And on Tuesday, an event for Haley was co-hosted in New York City by wealthy businessmen such as Leonard Stern, Cliff Asness, Stanley Druckenmiller, Ken Langone, and Henry Kravis.
Haley claims her super PAC raised about $50 million in the second half of 2023, eclipsing Trump’s largesse, but the money has done little to sway support among Republican voters. There wasn’t.
