• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

2

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting

3

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup

1

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

2

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting

3

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
PoliticsU.S. Presidential Election

Some Democratic donors want a refund after Biden campaign’s response to debate performance

By
Eva Roytburg
Eva Roytburg
Fellow, News
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Eva Roytburg
Eva Roytburg
Fellow, News
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 3, 2024, 5:32 AM ET
Joe Biden walks off stage during the CNN Presidential Debate at the CNN Studios on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Viewers widely panned President Joe Biden's debate performance.
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

“Will the campaign offer a refund if Biden drops out?” 

Recommended Video

That was one of many questions top Democratic donors have posed to campaign staffers in recent days, according to Reuters. Since President Joe Biden’s widely derided debate performance last week, anxiety has swelled among the donor class over his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump in a tight race. 

Senior campaign officials quickly organized calls with donors on Sunday and Monday to quell their concerns, NBC reported. One of these calls grew tense when a donor asked about the possible refund. 

Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez replied that Biden plans to keep running, according to NBC. When pressed further, she said the campaign war chest – about $91 million – would go to Vice President Kamala Harris if the president dropped out.

During a Monday call with about 500 members of the National Finance Committee, Chris Korge, the committee’s finance chair, implored donors to just “breathe through the nose for a minute.” Though Biden’s campaign chair, Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, conceded on the call that Thursday’s debate was rough for the president, she emphasized its relatively low impact on voters’ confidence. A Five-Thirty-Eight and Ipsos poll found that while voters criticized Biden’s performance, the debate barely dented support among his core constituencies. 

‘Ridiculous manipulation and denial’

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, dubbed by some the “CEO whisperer,” was one of the business leaders on Monday’s call. He told Fortune he was “discouraged and insulted” by the call, which he said resembled a pep rally filled with “platitudes.” There was no public chat function, and questions that were typed into the forum seemed to go nowhere, he said. Within 15 minutes, 50 business leaders dropped from the call; 40 minutes in, 100 had left, feeling “disgusted” by the Biden campaign’s unwillingness to directly address the debate, Sonnenfeld added.

“It was ridiculous manipulation and denial,” Sonnenfeld told Fortune, adding that he still plans to vote for Biden. Among business leadership, faith in Biden’s campaign has been severely damaged, and there is now increasing pressure for an open convention that would allow another person to become the party’s presidential nominee, Sonnenfeld added. If there is no radical change this week, he believes tensions will begin boiling over among donors.

Privately, Democratic financiers have been ceaselessly Signal messaging and conference calling with their networks, wondering if their investments will be wasted, the New York Times reported. One Silicon Valley donor canceled an intimate fundraiser due to the debate, while another told NBC that if Biden stays in the race, they will redirect their money to outside get-out-the-vote groups.

“I won’t sit on the sidelines, but it’s hard and getting a lot harder to donate directly to the campaign given their judgment,” the donor said, calling the devotion to Biden “Trumpian.”

Other donors have stood by Biden. Craig Kaplan, a prominent Democratic fundraiser in New York, told Fortune that while donors initially panicked over Biden’s performance, they are now understanding that “it’s not October.” With several months to go until the election, Biden has ample opportunity to prove that he is the Democrats’ best option, Kaplan said. Plus, a perceived weakness at the presidential level heightens the importance of down-ballot races, he said, explaining that, if Trump were to win, a Democratic House could prevent the worst of Trump’s policies. 

“I think some of the donors think [Biden’s chance at winning] is gone, but when you have the conversation with them about the heightened importance of the other races, the panic recedes,” Kaplan said. 

He also added that Biden doesn’t necessarily need the donors: he has enough money already. And, as a working-class kid who grew up with “no silver spoon,” Biden isn’t the type to be easily influenced by wealthy donors, Kaplan claimed. 

While Biden entered the race with a sizable cash lead over his opponent, Trump has out-raised Biden to date ($232 million to $212 million, according to OpenSecrets). Money is an important predictor of a campaign’s power, but as Trump’s surprise election in 2016 showed, the best-funded campaign doesn’t always win. 

Representatives from the Biden campaign did not immediately respond to Fortune’s request for comment.

‘Boosting their old man’

Still, some donors have taken it upon themselves to comfort their Democratic peers.

Dmitri Mehlhorn, a Democratic strategist and fundraiser who works closely with LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, told Fortune that the two were still supportive of Joe Biden.

“There have been many times in the last eight years when we have disagreed with the consensus of other Democratic donors,” Mehlhorn said. “And this is one of those times. Joe Biden is still—for all of his faults—the most likely person to defeat Donald Trump in the fall.”

Hoffman, who has been called the Silicon Valley Democrats’ leader, wrote in an email to friends that “Joe Biden is our nominee; period,” according to CNN. He said it would be a mistake to pressure Biden to step down since it might harden the president’s resolve to prove himself by staying in the race. 

He also contrasted the Democrats’ current panic with Republicans’ increasing support of Trump, even when he was convicted of 34 felony counts during May’s hush money trial. 

“They ruthlessly and immediately closed ranks,” Hoffman wrote, “because they understand that at this stage of the race, they must spend every minute and dime either boosting their old man, or tearing down ours.”

Much of the concern over replacing Biden stems from fears that it’s too late—and too risky—to support a candidate untested on the national stage. Plus, Biden, as an incumbent, could have a better chance of appealing to voters who seek stability. Others believe that Biden is fine, and just had one bad night. 

Another Democratic donor, Michael Kempner, could be placed into that last camp. In a recent Instagram post, he signaled his support for the president. 

“I just saw President Biden. Relax every one, he was on his game,” the Kempner posted on Instagram following an event in the Hamptons hosted by the hedge fund mogul Barry Rosenstein. 

Rosenstein told CNN that the event was a success and part of a two-day campaign swing through New York that brought in more than $27 million. However, CNN reported that the environment during one of the events—a gala Friday night headlined by Elton John—was strained. 

“The vibe in the room was completely bizarre,” a Democratic strategist who attended the event told CNN. “You’re having fun and the drinks are flowing, and Elton John was there — but you’re waiting for the gaffe, you’re waiting for the slip — magnified by the terror of the night before.”

Yet another donor in that room, Charles Myers, told CNN that the negative narrative was false. 

“Yes, donors were nervous after the very bad debate performance,” Myers said, “but still very much on board and some want to do more.” 

Sonnenfeld agrees, telling Fortune of a conversation he had with a CEO of a prominent finance company. “I’ll vote for Joe Biden as long as he has a pulse,” the CEO said, according to Sonnenfeld. “And maybe if he doesn’t.”

Subscribe to Fortune Gulf Brief. Every Tuesday, this new newsletter delivers clear-eyed, authoritative intelligence on the deals, decisions, policies, and power shifts shaping one of the world’s most consequential regions, written for the people who need to act on it. Sign up here.
About the Author
By Eva RoytburgFellow, News
Instagram iconLinkedIn icon

Eva covers macroeconomics, market-moving news, and the forces shaping the global economy.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Politics

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Politics

Trump’s Iran war provoked the Senate enough to get it to symbolically vote to curb his war powers for the first time
PoliticsDonald Trump
Trump’s Iran war provoked the Senate enough to get it to symbolically vote to curb his war powers for the first time
By The Associated PressJune 24, 2026
10 hours ago
Asia’s defense boom is rewiring the global arms supply chain
Commentaryarms, weapons, and defense
Asia’s defense boom is rewiring the global arms supply chain
By Chris OberoiJune 24, 2026
11 hours ago
Wind turbines on yellow grass
Environmentwind power
California threatens to hit Trump with lawsuit if he doesn’t revive massive wind farm project off central coast
By Jennifer McDermott and The Associated PressJune 24, 2026
11 hours ago
Why Zohran Mamdani’s big night as the Democratic party’s new kingmaker matters for every Fortune 500 CEO in every city and state
PoliticsPolitics
Why Zohran Mamdani’s big night as the Democratic party’s new kingmaker matters for every Fortune 500 CEO in every city and state
By Catherina GioinoJune 24, 2026
11 hours ago
Warren leans in to talk to Scott
PoliticsHousing
Congress’s landmark housing bill could backfire on millions of renters
By Jacqueline MunisJune 24, 2026
12 hours ago
President Donald Trump pictured in September 2025 signing an executive order that overhauled the H-1B visa program.
EconomyImmigration
Trump’s international student crackdown kicked off a domino effect that could shave nearly $500 billion off the economy
By Tristan BoveJune 24, 2026
13 hours ago

Most Popular

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
Success
Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 24, 2026
1 day ago
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
Economy
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
By Jacqueline MunisJune 24, 2026
1 day ago
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
Success
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 23, 2026
2 days ago
Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less
Retail
Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less
By Nick LichtenbergJune 24, 2026
17 hours ago
Ray Dalio just finished a 10-day trip to China. He says global leaders know America ‘doesn’t have what it takes to fight to maintain its empire’
Asia
Ray Dalio just finished a 10-day trip to China. He says global leaders know America ‘doesn’t have what it takes to fight to maintain its empire’
By Nick LichtenbergJune 24, 2026
19 hours ago
Trump’s international student crackdown kicked off a domino effect that could shave nearly $500 billion off the economy
Economy
Trump’s international student crackdown kicked off a domino effect that could shave nearly $500 billion off the economy
By Tristan BoveJune 24, 2026
13 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.