Trump ally, billionaire GOP megadonor Ronald Lauder won’t back Trump’s 2024 run for president

Then-President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with Ronald Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress, after a meeting on December 28, 2016 at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.

Ronald Lauder won't help finance Donald Trump's campaign for president

The heir to the Estée Lauder fortune is the latest Republican megadonor to distance himself from Donald Trump. The nonpartisan campaign finance watchdog OpenSecrets says that the Republican National Committee received almost $100,000 in contributions from the Lauder family.

The two have been friends for a long time. The idea of the U.S. buying Greenland was talked about by Lauder and Trump during Trump's presidency. Four CEOs have said they won't support Trump's campaign for president.

According to Florida campaign finance records, the billionaire businessman donated $10,000 last year to a political action committee that supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. According to OpenSecrets, Lauder gave an additional $200,000 to the campaign.

After winning reelection in Florida in November, Ron DeSantis has risen as a top contender for the White House. He might challenge Trump in the Republican primary.

Republican efforts in New York have been supported by Lauder. Records show he gave millions of dollars to support Zeldin in his failed bid for governor. Zeldin was defeated by Kathy Hochul.

Zeldin was endorsed by Trump before election day.