Ronald Lauder, the billionaire and major GOP donor, has abruptly stopped handing out political donations ahead of the crucial midterm elections for Donald Trump.

The wealthy heir to the Estée Lauder cosmetics fortune has tightened his purse strings and has not donated to any Republican causes in his home state of New York this year, The New York Times reported.

Lauder, who has an estimated net worth of around $4.9 billion, has closed his checkbook just as the GOP is expected to suffer heavy defeats in November’s nationwide elections. The ramifications of an electoral wipeout for the Republican Party would be significant for Trump if a Democratic-controlled Congress were to pursue impeachment proceedings against the president.

    • the_crotch@sh.itjust.works
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      2 days ago

      That’s literally the only reason anyone would ever donate to a politician, not just billionaires. Trump is a bridge too far for this guy, just take the win.

      • AngryRedHerring@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        From the article:

        “However, the 82-year-old’s change in spending habits does not appear to be linked to dissatisfaction with Trump or the GOP as a whole.”