Ronald Lauder, the billionaire and major GOP donor, has abruptly stopped handing out political donations ahead of the crucial midterm elections for Donald Trump. The ramifications of an electoral wipeout for the Republican Party would be significant for Trump if a Democratic-controlled Congress were to pursue impeachment proceedings against the president. Ronald Lauder is estimated to have donated more than $1.6 million to pro-Donald Trump organizations since 2016. In January 2025, Lauder—whose daughter Jane is married to Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh—announced he would be retiring from the Estée Lauder Board of Directors. In a statement to the Times, Lauder said he has used his political donations to “strengthen” New York City.