Trending
John Catsimatidis rejects Joe Biden’s request for campaign funding
Democratic presidential hopeful made his pitch at the home of short seller Jim Chanos during his first fundraising trip to New York.
John Catsimatidis attended a fundraiser for Joe Biden, but declined to open his checkbook for the Democrat’s presidential campaign.
The Red Apple Group, a former mayoral candidate with an estimated worth of $3.1 billion, reportedly attended a fundraising event at the home of short seller Jim Chanos in New York, CNBC reported.
Biden spoke to Catsimatidis for about 10 minutes, but could not sway his allegiance from Donald Trump.
“I just smiled,” Catsimatidis said of his reaction when the former vice president asked for his help.
Although he declined to offer financial support, Catsimatidis spoke highly of Biden, whose campaign launched in April.
“I think Joe Biden is the most common sense nominee of the 23 people running in the Democratic Party,” he told CNBC.
“Monetarily, I did not commit to helping him but I will help him brotherly, on my radio show and with all my media contacts.”
Catsimatidis is a personal friend and vocal supporter of Trump. He got into a public argument with Brown Harris Stevens co-president Bess Freedman last year over Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s controversial pick for the Supreme Court.
Catsimatidis’ development firm is heavily invested in projects in Coney Island. [CNBC] — Sylvia Varnham O’Regan
Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated Catsimatidis’ estimated net worth. It is $3.1 billion, not $1.3 billion.