Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s grassroots fundraising efforts have surged as she continues her uphill battle against former President Donald Trump for the GOP nomination. Despite her recent loss to Trump in New Hampshire’s primary, Haley’s small-dollar donations have seen a significant increase. However, it appears that liberal megadonor and LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman may be considering withdrawing his support. A top adviser to Hoffman stated that they would require a new potential path to victory before making any further contributions to Haley’s campaign.
Immediately following her runner-up finish to Trump in the Republican primary, Haley received $1 million in grassroots online donations within 24 hours. In response to a warning from Trump urging GOP donors to stop contributing to his rival, Haley garnered an additional $1 million through social media. The campaign later announced that the total 48-hour haul had reached $2.6 million. Haley plans to campaign in her home state of South Carolina, which will hold the next major primary on February 24.
To replenish her campaign coffers, Haley is scheduled to meet with top Republican donors in New York City early next week. Among the fundraisers on her itinerary is an event co-hosted by billionaires Leonard Stern, Cliff Asness, Stanley Druckenmiller, Ken Langone, and Henry Kravis. This is one of approximately 10 fundraisers with major Republican donors that Haley has planned over the next few weeks.
Hoffman, a supporter of President Biden who contributed over three-quarters of a million dollars to the Biden Victory Fund last year, donated a quarter of a million dollars last month to SFA Fund, Inc., the super PAC aligned with Haley. According to Hoffman’s political philanthropy adviser, the donation was made prior to the primaries, as they believed Haley’s performance in New Hampshire could give her a path to defeating Trump. However, Mehlhorn emphasized that in order to recommend further investment, he would need to see a new potential path to victory, considering Haley’s loss in New Hampshire.
Mehlhorn suggested that Haley could persuade GOP voters that Trump is no longer stable and cannot lead them into the fall campaign. He stated, “The only way I can see a path happening is if Trump has a ‘senior moment,’ and she’s able to exploit it to persuade GOP voters that he’s lost it.” Hoffman has been a vocal critic of Trump, and if it becomes clear that the GOP has decided to nominate Trump, Mehlhorn said they would redirect their efforts toward defeating him in the general election.
Trump and his allies have been critical of Haley since Hoffman’s contribution to her super PAC made headlines in December. Despite facing challenges ahead, Haley remains determined to continue her campaign.
