BusinessJuly 5, 2026

megadonor

/ˈmɛɡəˌdoʊnər/

Definition

An individual who contributes extremely large sums of money to political campaigns, parties, or causes to influence policy and candidates.

Etymology

A compound formed from the Greek prefix 'mega-', meaning 'great' or 'large,' and the noun 'donor,' derived from the Latin 'donare,' meaning 'to give.' It emerged in modern political vernacular to characterize the outsized financial influence of elite contributors.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe Chris Larsen, highlighting his significant financial support of Senator Gillibrand’s campaigns, which raises questions about the ethical implications of his subsequent investment in her son's startup.

Crypto billionaire among dozens to back startup from Gillibrand’s son

Read the full article ↗

Politico

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