NY Jets owner said to back Trump
The owner of the New York Jets is the latest major GOP donor supporting Donald Trump’s presidential bid, according to a new report.
Woody Johnson is reportedly endorsing Trump after previously serving as finance chairman for Jeb Bush’s Oval Office bid, according to Bloomberg.
{mosads}An anonymous source with knowledge of Johnson’s plans confirmed to Bloomberg Monday evening the businessman’s involvement with the Trump campaign.
Johnson plans on raising money for Trump and the Republican National Committee as part of a joint-fundraising agreement. The Jets owner met with Trump on Monday and plans on pressuring other donors to open their wallets for the billionaire, the news publication added.
Bloomberg said Johnson’s support boosts Trump’s credibility with establishment Republicans skeptical of their party’s presumptive presidential nominee. Johnson boasts a wide network of donors and has repeatedly helped traditional GOP candidates in past election cycles.
Johnson arranged a fundraiser for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in May 2008, for example, that raised $7 million in a single evening for the then-GOP presidential nominee.
He was also a top bundler for GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney in 2012 and backed former President George W. Bush during his 2000 and 2004 runs.
Johnson endorsed Jeb Bush, George W. Bush’s younger brother, last year after a major fundraiser that raised more than $4 million for the former Florida governor.
Jeb Bush then appointed Johnson as his top fundraiser before eventually suspending his Oval Office bid in February.
Trump taunted Johnson over his enthusiasm for Bush’s campaign earlier this year, joking that it jinxed the New York Jets.
Woody Johnson, owner of the NYJets, is @JebBush’s finance chairman. If Woody would’ve been w/me, he would’ve been in the playoffs, at least!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2016
Bush campaign aide Matt Gorman responded by retweeting Trump’s past praise for Johnson before the 2012 presidential election.
Woody Johnson’s comments that he would rather have @MittRomney win the election than his @nyjets win games shows real patriotism.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2012
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