Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn and a notable contributor to the Democratic party, has publicly announced his financial support for Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley. Hoffman’s decision is driven by his desire to prevent Donald Trump from reclaiming the presidency. He has donated a substantial amount to a super PAC supporting Haley, viewing the ongoing GOP primary as one of the two opportunities to thwart Trump’s potential return to the White House.
Hoffman’s Commitment to American Democracy
In a LinkedIn post, Hoffman expressed his commitment to vote for President Joe Biden in the upcoming elections. However, he emphasized that his primary concern is the preservation of American democracy and the integrity of the country’s legal system. To this end, he believes that defeating Trump is a priority, and the primary elections provide the first opportunity to do so.
Hoffman’s Contribution to Haley’s Campaign
Hoffman’s political advisor, Dmitri Mehlhorn, confirmed to CNN that Hoffman has donated $250,000 to the SFA Fund, a pro-Haley super PAC. This contribution was initially reported by The New York Times. This move is seen as a strategic effort to support a Republican candidate who could potentially challenge Trump’s dominance in the GOP.
Republican Candidates Face Off in Alabama
Haley, along with three other Republican candidates – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy – are set to participate in the fourth GOP debate in Alabama. Trump, as per his usual practice, will not be attending the debate. DeSantis’ campaign has attempted to use Hoffman’s donation to label Haley as a “liberal.”
Hoffman’s Anti-Trump Stance
Hoffman has a track record of supporting causes that oppose Trump. He has previously funded columnist E. Jean Carroll’s assault and defamation trial against Trump. His decision to back Haley, a former UN ambassador during the Trump administration, comes as she gains traction in the polls and attracts the interest of wealthy donors seeking an alternative to Trump.
Support for Haley from Other Quarters
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has also encouraged Democrats to support Haley, a sentiment that Hoffman echoes. In his post, Hoffman stated, “Those of us who believe in America must link arms to block Donald Trump from regaining the White House. America needs both major parties to nominate sane people who will honor their oath of office.”
Hoffman’s View on Haley
Despite disagreeing with Haley on numerous policy issues, Hoffman sees the former South Carolina governor as the only Republican, apart from Trump, with a realistic chance of securing the GOP’s nomination. He stated, “Nikki Haley would not be as good for America as Joe Biden, but America would survive her administration.”