How giving $1M to Trump's team made him a top contender for Georgia governor

Billionaire Rick Jackson filed to run for Georgia governor at the last minute even though another Republican had been endorsed by President Trump. But Jackson made a move that helped put him in contention: He gave $1 million to Trump's political operation. Why it matters: Now Jackson, a political neophyte, is atop GOP polls and the latest wealthy individual to endear themself to Trump by funneling massive sums to the president's pet causes.

Deep-pocketed individuals and companies seeking endorsements, pardons and crypto deregulation have poured money into Trump's political operation, his White House ballroom project and his inaugural committee, among other things. Many contributors have then gotten favorable treatment from the White House.

GOP operatives tracking the Georgia race tell Axios they suspect Jackson — who's planning to spend $50 million for the May 19 primary — made the donation partly with an eye toward swaying Trump.

That could mean hoping that Trump tamps down some of his praise of the Republican he's endorsed in the race — Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, a longtime ally who helped Trump's unsuccessful effort to overturn the president's 2020 election defeat in Georgia. Other possibilities, the operatives say: It could encourage Trump to withdraw his endorsement of Jones, or endorse both Jones and Jackson. One likely result: The donation could keep Trump from attacking Jackson.

The backstory: Jackson, an Atlanta health care executive, sent his $1 million donation to the pro-Trump MAGA Inc. super PAC on Dec. 10, eight weeks before launching his campaign.

Jackson is a prolific GOP donor but hadn't given to Trump or his allied PAC before his contribution to MAGA Inc. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Jackson donated to two of Trump's primary opponents, Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy.

Jackson has cited his December donation to Trump's team in courting the president's supporters. In his campaign announcement video, he declares: "I donated a million bucks to Trump, because Trump's success inspired me" to run. The other side: Jackson's team adamantly denies he's trying to buy Trump's support.

"Rick Jackson contributed to the president long before he decided to run for governor, and because he was inspired by all that the president is accomplishing," Jackson spokesperson Mike Schrimpf said.

Behind the scenes: Jackson appears to have made inroads with Trump's team.

He attended a dinner with Trump and a small group of other major donors at Mar-a-Lago just hours after Trump launched the attack on Iran. Jackson and Trump spoke privately at the event, according to a person familiar with the interaction. At one point, Trump asked Jackson to introduce himself to the other donors and describe for them why he was running. "Mr. President, I'm going to be your favorite governor," Jackson said as Trump smiled.

By the numbers: Jackson catapulted 15 points ahead of Jones in one recent poll — largely owing to his support from the MAGA base.

Trump privately has been asking friends about Jackson, noting his fast rise. Jackson also was endorsed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Georgia Republican and informal Trump adviser.

Reality check: So far, Jackson's cash doesn't appear to have cooled Trump's support for Jones.

The president described Jones as "incredible" and called him onstage during a recent appearance in Rome, Ga.

What they're saying: Some Republican operatives — and Jones' campaign — say they see Jackson's donation as merely a ploy to inoculate himself from criticism that he'd never given money to Trump.

"Never Trumper Rick Jackson bankrolled candidates running against President Trump and the America First agenda. Now he's lying to voters to try and cover it up," Jones spokesperson Kayla Lott said. She said Jackson was trying to "buy his way out of his own record." A Trump spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.