These Democratic megadonors are pressuring Biden to drop out

These Democratic megadonors are pressuring Biden to drop out
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  • A growing list of wealthy Democrats are using their checkbooks to pressure Biden to drop out.

  • Others, such as Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings, simply no longer support Biden.

  • The donor uprising adds further obstacles to Biden hanging on after his disastrous debate performance.

Some of the Democratic Party's biggest donors are pressuring President Joe Biden to step aside.

Some on this growing list of Hollywood titans, powerful heirs, and staunch Democratic Party supporters are pledging to cut off their support until Biden drops out.

Others are so angry about the president's standing after his disastrous debate performance that they have vowed to cut off all Democrats.

So far, only two congressional Democrats have called on Biden to drop out. The combined weight of the party's monied class could prove too much to bear.

Already, former President Donald Trump has erased Biden's cash advantage after a flood of donations spurred by Trump's felony conviction. Biden and his allies simply can't afford to lose much other ground.

Here's the list of donors who are calling for Biden to step aside

Reed Hastings

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings speaks during an interview on day two of the Netflix
Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings is one of the biggest names to call on Biden to step aside.Ore Huiying / Getty

Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings is one of the biggest megadonors to join the chorus calling Biden to step aside. Hastings told The New York Times the president needs to bow out "to allow a vigorous Democratic leader to beat Trump and keep us safe and prosperous."

According to The Times, Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin, have given over $20 million to various Democratic causes in recent years. Last summer, Hastings gave $100,000 to the Biden Victory Fund, a joint committee that includes Biden's reelection, the Democratic National Committee, and state Democratic Parties.

Abigail Disney

Abigail Disney in Washington DC at a podium with a banner that says "Tax The Rich"
Abigail Disney, an heir to a cofounder of the entertainment giant, has pledged to stop donation to all Democrats until Biden steps aside.Tasos Katopodis

Abigail Disney, daughter of Roy O. Disney, the co-founder of the entertainment giant, told CNBC that she would cut off donations to Democrats entirely until Biden steps aside.

"Biden is a good man and has served his country admirably, but the stakes are far too high," Disney said. "If Biden does not step down, the Democrats will lose. Of that, I am absolutely certain. The consequences for the loss will be genuinely dire."


Barry Diller

Barry Diller
Legendary Hollywood executive Barry Diller gave a short statement when asked about his support of Biden.Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Semafor

IAC Chairman Barry Diller told journalist Matthew Frank that he, too, is done with Biden.

"No," Diller told Frank's newsletter, the Ankler, when asked if he still supported the president.

Diller has already given the max $6,600 contribution to Biden. He also gave a $100,000 donation to the Biden Victory Fund last year.

Damon Lindelof

Damon Lindelof
Damon Lindelof is calling for a "DEMbargo" until Biden steps aside.Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

Damon Lindelof, "Lost creator" and legendary showrunner, wrote a column urging fellow donors to stage a "DEMbargo" and cut off all Democrats until Biden steps aside.

"When a country is not behaving how we want them to, we apply harsh economic sanctions. It's a give and take — Short term hurt for long term healing," Lindelof wrote in his Deadline column. "Is it misguided to punish the entire team for the stubbornness of the pitcher? Maybe. But it's also common sense that if he stays in, they will also lose. A rising tide lifts all boats. A falling Biden sinks them."

Gideon Stein

Gideon Stein speaks during a 2015 event
Gideon Stein (seen here in 2015) has said his family will pause $3.5 million in donations related to the presidential election until Biden drops out.Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Vanity Fair

Gideon Stein, a donor and philanthropist whose late father founded the influential liberal donor group the Democracy Alliance, told The Times that his family is withholding $3.5 million to groups involved in the presidential race unless Biden steps aside.

"[A] new ticket is in the best interest of defeating Donald Trump," Stein told The Times.

Read the original article on Business Insider