Who is Ken Griffin? Billionaire may have just killed Ron DeSantis' 2024 White House run

Ken Griffin has 'hit the pause button' on backing Ron DeSantis, an insider claimed

PUBLISHED JUL 14, 2023

This comes after, Ken Griffin reportedly hinted at his support for the Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, who he thinks can successfully run the country (Larry Busacca/Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA: A Hedge fund billionaire, Ken Griffin, is reconsidering his interest in Ron DeSantis’ 2024 run as he’s not happy with his early campaigning for the presidential chair. This comes after, Griffin reportedly hinted at his support for the Florida governor who he thinks can successfully run the country.

However, Griffin “hit the pause button” on backing DeSantis, as per ABC News citing an insider. But as per a spokesperson for Griffin, who told DailyMail, “Ken is not pausing anything. He continues to assess the field,” which reinforces the philanthropist’s last year claim when he told Politico, “I don’t know what he’s going to do. It’s a huge personal decision,” before asserting, “He has a tremendous record as governor of Florida, and our country would be well-served by him as president.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gives a victory speech after defeating Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep. Charlie Crist during his election night watch party at the Tampa Convention Center on November 8, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. DeSantis was the projected winner by a double-digit lead. — Florida Gov Ron DeSantis gives a victory speech after defeating Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep Charlie Crist at the Tampa Convention Center on November 8, 2022, in Tampa, Florida (Octavio Jones/Getty Images)

‘Ken disagrees with Florida’s recent rule’

The 54-year-old entrepreneur, however, has also expressed his disappointment over some of the decisions taken by DeSantis. The New York Times reported that Griffin was left disturbed after DeSantis’ issued a statement, saying the invasion of Ukraine by Russia was a “territorial dispute.” Besides, he also expressed his frustration over DeSantis' ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law changes.

Jaquelyn M Scharnick, Griffin's spokesperson, told the Harvard Crimson student newspaper, “Like the vast majority of Americans, Ken believes that discussions on gender identity and sexual orientation should be led by parents with their children at home, rather than by teachers in elementary schools. However, as a steadfast supporter of open discourse, academic freedom, and free speech, Ken disagrees with Florida’s recent rule extending the prohibition of classroom instruction on these topics through 12th grade.”

Who is Ken Griffin?

Griffin’s full name is Kenneth C Griffin and as per his LinkedIn page. Griffin is the founder, CEO, & Co-Chief Investment Officer at Citadel, which is “one of the world’s leading alternative investment firms.” The social media account also describes him as “a passionate philanthropist,” who is working towards a better future by “supporting initiatives that advance breakthroughs in science and medicine, and expand access and opportunity in education.”

Founder and CEO at Citadel LLC Kenneth C. Griffin participate in a discussion at the New York Times 2013 DealBook Conference in New York at the New York Times Building on November 12, 2013 in New York City. — Founder and CEO at Citadel LLC Kenneth C Griffin participate in a discussion at the New York Times 2013 DealBook Conference on November 12, 2013, in New York City (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for The New York Times)

His academic profile shows that he got his education from Boca Raton Community High School and Harvard University. Griffin also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for The Chicago Public Education Fund, Member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Chicago, and Member of the Board of Trustees for the Art Institute of Chicago.