When The New York Times revealed the name of one of the biggest investors behind Donald Trump’s social media venture last weekend, his name leapt off the page: Republican megadonor—and Never Trump billionaire—Jeffrey Yass.
The revelation that a GOP donor like Yass, the wealthiest person in Pennsylvania, had money in a Trump business was particularly newsworthy, given the context of this particular investment—a merger that could extend a financial lifeline to the cash-strapped former president, to the tune of potentially billions of dollars, at a critical time for him both personally and politically.
The story caught fire among Trump critics, particularly because of the conspicuous timing. The news of the potential merger was just days after Trump made an abrupt policy reversal that favored another Yass investment, TikTok. Almost immediately, the prospect of Yass—known for his refusal to support Trump even though he’s a prolific GOP donor—at long last entering the MAGA tent seemed very real.