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

Here Are All the Billionaires Backing Donald Trump

Robert Hackett
By
Robert Hackett
Robert Hackett
Down Arrow Button Icon
Robert Hackett
By
Robert Hackett
Robert Hackett
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 3, 2016, 4:51 PM ET
Rust Belt Trump Supporters Attend Campaign Rally At Pennsylvania High School
John Moore—Getty Images

On Monday, Warren Buffett attacked Donald Trump’s business acumen, saying a monkey could have done far better running a public company than the Republican nominee did. Buffett also challenged Trump to release his tax returns.

Buffett is one of a number of billionaires who have lined up in support of the Democratic party contender, Hillary Clinton. Her endorsers also include mogul and former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg and Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

Still others are dissatisfied with both options for the executive office. At Fortune’s Brainstorm Tech conference in Aspen, Colo., this summer, the mega-wealthy industrialist Charles Koch, a longtime conservative backer, likened voting for either candidate to choosing between “cancer or a heart attack.” (We left him off the list.)

But when it comes to big bucks donors, Donald Trump is not going it alone, either.

For more billionaires’ thoughts on Trump, watch:

The Republican party candidate for president has more than a dozen of billionaire backers supporting his campaign. Though Fortune and others have questioned Trump’s own personal wealth claims, other members of the three comma club have thrown their weight behind him.

Who among them has raised the Trump banner? People on the list range from Peter Thiel, the Silicon Valley investor of PayPal (PYPL) and Facebook (FB) fame who keynoted this year’s Republican National Convention, to Sheldon Adelson, the Las Vegas Sands Casino (LVS) impresario, to Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets football team and heir to the Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) fortune, to Carl Icahn, the rough-and-tumble activist investor and chairman of the eponymous Icahn Enterprises (IEP). (Sorry, Martin Shkreli, the ex-CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals, did not make the cut.)

Here’s the lineup of ultra-rich bigwigs championing the reality television star-turned-politician in the 2016 election.

1. Peter Thiel

Republican National Convention: Day Four
Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, delivers a speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.Photograph by Alex Wong—Getty Images

“Fake culture wars only distract us from our economic decline, and no one in this race is being honest about it except Donald Trump,” the Silicon Valley venture capitalist said onstage at this year’s Republican National Convention.

2. Carl Icahn

Key Speakers At The Leveraged Finance Fights Melanoma Event
Billionaire activist investor Carl IcahnPhotograph by Victor J. Blue—Bloomberg via Getty Images

“I think you need somebody to shake up the establishment in Washington just like you do in corporate America,” Icahn told Fortune earlier this year.

3. Tom Barrack

The 2016 Republican National Convention
Tom Barrack, chairman of Colony Capital Inc., speaking at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.Photograph by Daniel Acker—Bloomberg via Getty Images

The private equity veteran endorsed Trump, even though he said Trump once “played [him] like a Steinway piano” during a business deal.

4. Woody Johnson

Victoria's Secret PINK Model Jessica Hart Attends The Jets Game To Celebrate The NFL Victoria's Secret PINK Collection
Victoria’s Secret PINK model Jessica Hart, NY Jets Owner Woody Johnson, and his wife Suzanne Ircha JohnsonMichael Loccisano—Getty Images

The Johnson & Johnson jet-setter plans to host a fundraiser for Trump at his estate in East Hampton.

5. Stephen Feinberg

Stephen FeinbergCourtesy of Dow Jones Events

The cofounder and CEO of private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management previously pumped $200,000 into the political action committee that supported Jeb Bush.

6. Steven Mnuchin

LACMA 2013 Art + Film Gala Honoring Martin Scorsese And David Hockney Presented By Gucci - Inside
Heather Mnuchin and Steven MnuchinPhotograph by Stefanie Keenan—Getty Images for LACMA
Photograph by Stefanie Keenan—Getty Images for LACMA

 
The hedge fund manager serves as Trump’s chief fundraiser and as head of his national finance committee.

7. Sheldon Adelson

2016 Friends Of The Israel Defense Forces Gala
Sheldon AdelsonPhotograph by Shahar Azran—Getty Images

“He’s our nominee,” the Sands casino magnate told the New York Times in May. “He won fair and square.”

8. Robert Mercer

2014 World Science Festival Gala
Bob MercerAndrew Toth—Getty Images
Andrew Toth—Getty Images

 
This hedge fund manager and his daughter Rebekah have reportedly donated nearly $500,000 each to the Trump campaign.

9. T. Boone Pickens

Key Speakers At The 2016 SALT Conference
T. Boone Pickens, chairman and CEO at BP CapitalPhotograph by David Paul Morris—Bloomberg via Getty Images

The 87-year-old Texas oil baron said that he’s “ready to take a chance on it,” and “just in case it’s a mistake, [I’ll] be gone.”

10. Stanley Hubbard

Museum Of The Moving Image Honors Lorne Michaels And Stanley S. Hubbard
Stanley S. Hubbard and Lorne MichaelsPhotograph by Rahav Segev—WireImage

“I think anybody would be better than Clinton,” the media mogul told MinnPost, an online news outlet focused on all things Minnesota. “I think he’ll moderate himself.”

11. Darwin Deason

HSJ_9025
Darwin DeasonPhotograph by Hillsman S. Jackson — Southern Methodist University

The tech entrepreneur and his wife Katerina have reportedly donated nearly $500,000 each to Trump’s cause.

12. Wilbur Ross

Billionaire And Chief Executive Officer Of WL Ross & Co. LLC Wilbur Ross
Wilbur Ross, U.S. billionaire, chairman and CEO of WL Ross & Co. LLC.Photograph by Chris Ratcliffe—Bloomberg via Getty Images

The cost of a plate at a Trump fundraising luncheon held at the investor’s Southampton estate was $25,000.

13. Andrew Beal

Andy Beal CEO of Beal Bank
CEO of Beal Bank Andy BealPhotograph by Matthew Mahon—Redux
Photograph by Matthew Mahon—Redux

 
“All these politicians with all these specific plans,” the banker groused to the New York Times when explaining his support for Trump. “I think it’s total [expletive].”

14. John Paulson

Paulson's Biggest Hedge Fund Said To Lose 11 Percent This Year
John A. Paulson, president of Paulson & Co.Rick Maiman—Bloomberg via Getty Images

Paulson, who made his fortune betting against the housing market before its collapse a decade ago, co-hosted a supremely pricey Trump fundraising event at Le Cirque, a French restaurant in Manhattan.

About the Author
Robert Hackett
By Robert Hackett
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconTwitter icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Finance

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
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • 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
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
North America
Gates Foundation plans to give away $9 billion in 2026 to prepare for the 2045 closure while slashing hundreds of jobs
By Sydney LakeJanuary 23, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Europe
Denmark offered to trade Greenland to the U.S. in 1910—and America thought it was crazy
By Steven Lamy and The ConversationJanuary 22, 2026
3 days ago
placeholder alt text
Personal Finance
Sweden abolished its wealth tax 20 years ago. Then it became a 'paradise for the super-rich'
By Miranda Sheild Johansson and The ConversationJanuary 22, 2026
3 days ago
placeholder alt text
C-Suite
Jamie Dimon’s reality check for ambitious workers: ‘There’s going to be a grunt part to every part of a job. Get over it’
By Jake AngeloJanuary 23, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Politics
Latest deadly shooting by federal agents pushes government closer to shutdown as Trump claims Minnesota officials are 'inciting insurrection'
By Jason MaJanuary 24, 2026
12 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Apple cofounder Ronald Wayne sold his 10% stake for $800 in 1976—today it’d be worth up to $400 billion
By Preston ForeJanuary 23, 2026
2 days 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.


Latest in Finance

lakehouse
AIConsulting
Inside KPMG’s Orlando Lakehouse: the $450 million Covid boondoggle that’s becoming a secret weapon for the AI revolution
By Nick LichtenbergJanuary 25, 2026
2 hours ago
trump
Real EstateHousing
Trump’s housing market plan contains a fatal flaw and multiple obstacles, Morgan Stanley says
By Nick LichtenbergJanuary 25, 2026
5 hours ago
Virta Health CEO Sami Inkinen
SuccessPersonal Finance
The CEO of a $2 billion healthcare firm only felt rich after he paid off $100K in student loans—but that joy ‘disappeared’ in less than 3 days
By Emma BurleighJanuary 25, 2026
6 hours ago
EconomyTariffs and trade
Days after saying ‘it’s a good thing’ for Mark Carney to sign a trade deal with China, Trump vows a 100% tariff on Canada for doing so
By Jason MaJanuary 24, 2026
23 hours ago
NewslettersDonald Trump
President Donald Trump is acting like the CEO of USA Inc. Is it the strategy America needs?
By Alyson ShontellJanuary 24, 2026
23 hours ago
pulte
Real EstateHousing
From $40 billion to $225 billion: Inside the Trump housing plan to radically change the mortgage bond buying plan
By Brian Slodysko and The Associated PressJanuary 24, 2026
1 day ago