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US bank heir gave $50 million to Trump’s campaign fund after former president’s conviction
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Tim Mellon, the reclusive scion of the billionaire US banking dynasty, donated $50 million to a fundraising group supporting Donald Trump, a day after the former US president was convicted of falsifying business records in a secret trial in New York.
The donation, announced on Thursday, means Mellon has already given US$75 million to the group, known as Make America Great Again Inc, last year, according to federal records.
He also donated $25 million to a super Pac supporting Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the independent presidential candidate. A political adviser to Mellon declined to comment on his behalf.
Mellon is the top donor to both Super Pacs, making him a key player in the effort to defeat President Joe Biden in the November election. election.
Trump has supported Biden in the race to raise campaign funds. Trump spent these funds not only on defeating GOP rivals in the Republican primary elections, but also on lawyers representing him in criminal and civil trials. Maga Inc gave millions to another group, which pays its legal fees, and spent millions more to book ads to boost Trump.
Maga Inc raised $69 million in May after Mellon and GOP mega-donors Richard and Liz Uihleinshipping magnates contributed $10 million and Texas oil titan Kelcy Warren donated $5 million.
Super Pacs are campaign organizations that can raise unlimited amounts on behalf of candidates and are not subject to the limits set for direct donations to candidates.
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Mellon, grandson of former U.S. Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon, has been motivated in the past by Trump’s “build the wall” rhetoric, donating more than $50 million years ago to Texas Gov. Greg’s border wall fund. Abbott, according to the Texas Tribune.
Meanwhile, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently decided to give Biden a big gift, donating nearly $20 million, according to a person familiar with the matter. The Washington Post first reported the donation.
A spokesperson for Maga Inc did not immediately respond to requests for comment.