Megadonor Flip Stuns Democrat Allies

Feet in black shoes facing U-turn road marking.

A top Democrat megadonor who once funded Kamala Harris’s political rise now publicly applauds a signature Trump policy, signaling a dramatic shift in the political landscape and sparking debate over the future of American education and values.

Story Snapshot

Former pro-Kamala megadonor praises Trump’s education policy overhaul.
Trump administration pushes to dismantle the Department of Education and restore state control.
Major funding shifts impact universities accused of left-wing bias and antisemitism.
New executive orders prioritize workforce development, AI education, and restrict benefits for undocumented immigrants.

Democrat Megadonor Endorses Trump Policy Shift

In a surprising move, a prominent Democrat megadonor who previously contributed millions to Kamala Harris’s campaigns has publicly endorsed a major Trump administration policy. The donor’s praise centers on Trump’s aggressive efforts to overhaul the federal education system, including attempts to dismantle the Department of Education and transfer authority back to states and local communities. This endorsement reveals growing bipartisan frustration with the perceived failures of centralized, left-leaning education policies, especially those seen as promoting divisive agendas or eroding traditional American values.

Democrat Megadonor Who Doled Out Millions To Pro-Kamala Group Applauds ‘Great’ Trump Policy https://t.co/hDH8uypEyF via @dailycaller

— Norman Firebaugh (@FirebaughNorman) September 23, 2025

Trump’s Education Overhaul: Dismantling Federal Control

President Trump’s second administration has made the Department of Education a central target, with Secretary Linda McMahon tasked to “put herself out of a job.” On March 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order initiating the closure of the department and shifting student loan responsibility to the Small Business Administration, while special needs and nutrition programs move to Health and Human Services. Despite congressional barriers and judicial intervention blocking mass layoffs, the administration slashed the workforce, especially in offices overseeing financial aid and civil rights, underscoring its commitment to reducing federal oversight in education.

Funding Leverage and Crackdown on University Bias

The Trump administration has wielded federal funding as leverage against universities accused of antisemitism and left-wing bias. In 2025, over $400 million was withheld from Columbia University until it expelled students involved in pro-Palestinian protests and changed admissions policies; Harvard faced a $2 billion funding freeze after resisting similar demands and filing legal challenges. These actions reflect a core conservative concern: combating perceived ideological indoctrination and protecting free speech for all, while holding institutions accountable for fostering discrimination against conservative students.

New Executive Orders: Workforce, AI, and Immigration Reform

On April 23, 2025, Trump signed seven executive orders shaping K-12 and higher education. Notable among them is a drive to advance artificial intelligence education, create public-private partnerships, and establish the Presidential AI Challenge to boost American competitiveness. Another order focuses on workforce development, expanding apprenticeships and targeting federal investment toward skilled trades. Additionally, the administration revoked Head Start preschool access and career programs for undocumented immigrants, reinforcing its stance against benefits for those residing in the country illegally and aligning with long-standing conservative priorities.

Megadonor’s Endorsement: Sign of Shifting Alliances

The public praise from a major Democratic donor for Trump’s education reform highlights a rare moment of cross-party agreement. It underscores mounting dissatisfaction with previous liberal policies perceived as promoting government overreach, fiscal irresponsibility, and radical social agendas. For many conservatives, this acknowledgement serves as validation of their push for constitutional protections, local control, and the restoration of traditional American values, while raising questions about the future trajectory of the Democratic Party and its policy priorities.