DeSantis Loses Major Donors: The Surprising Reason Behind the Sudden Fallout

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A prominent Republican donor revealed he is suspending donations to Ron DeSantis' anticipated presidential campaign after the Florida governor expressed his stance on abortion and book banning.

Republican megadonor Thomas Peterffy declared, "I have put myself on hold. Because of his stance on abortion and book banning … myself, and a bunch of friends, are holding our powder dry."

Peterffy also said that DeSantis "seems to have lost some momentum."

Is DeSantis losing steam?

DeSantis has been focusing on the fringe voting groups, seemingly forgetting about the majority of Republicans and his donors. Now, donors refuse to support a u-turn into the medieval ages when knowledge was a crime, and women had fewer rights.

DeSantis has not yet announced his candidacy, but many anticipate he will after the Florida Legislature sessions conclude in late May. He is the Republican primary field's top rival to former President Donald Trump. Still, despite the governor's re-election victory and the passage of several hard-right laws, he has not overtaken the outgoing president.

"I am more reluctant to back him," Petterfy said. "We are waiting to see who among the primary candidates is most likely to be able to win the general and then put all of our firepower behind them."

The troubling policies

Last week, DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban. He has also attempted to remove books about LGBTQ+ issues removed from Florida public schools, while others have relaxed gun rights and targeted Black voters.

Peterffy, the founder of Interactive Brokers, said he continued supporting DeSantis in his feud with Disney, Florida's largest employer. The company has pushed back against DeSantis' "Don't Say Gay" bill regarding the instruction of sexuality and gender in public schools.

In retaliation, DeSantis attacked Disney's state-level autonomy. The entertainment mogul reacted by attempting to block the action.

Petterfy believed "it's insane that a company would take a stand on gender issues."

What do you think about DeSantis losing its major donors?

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