Miami Beach-based real estate developer and former Obama fundraiser, Don Peebles, made headlines when he called for the Democratic Party to “turn the page” and move on from President Joe Biden. Peebles, who remains friends with former President Barack Obama, expressed disappointment with Biden’s leadership and said it’s time for a new face to lead the party.
In an interview with FOX Business, Peebles stated that many Democrats were led to believe Vice President Kamala Harris would be an “understudy” to Biden in order to prepare her for the presidency. However, Peebles believes Harris has failed to impress and that it is time for the entire ticket to step aside if Democrats want a chance to defeat likely Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump.
“I don’t see how [Biden] can beat Donald Trump,” Peebles said. “If all that’s been thrown at the former president has been thrown at him, and he’s still ahead in the polls — it’s telling us all something that Americans don’t want this president (Biden) and this administration anymore, and it’s time for him to move on for the good of the country.”
Peebles, a successful real estate developer like Trump, also weighed in on the recent court ruling against the former president. New York State Supreme Court 1st District Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that Trump must pay $355 million in punitive damages, in addition to $2 million in damages, for misleading investors about the financial health of his businesses.
Peebles stressed that his view has nothing to do with whether he likes Trump personally, but rather, it is a sign that New York is not business-friendly. He also believes the ruling shows that the legal system is being “weaponized for political purposes.”
Peebles invoked civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., whom he said also fell victim to a weaponized legal system. He maintained that if Trump is truly liable for the civil offenses he was found guilty of, there are likely many other New York businessmen who have committed the same offense. He argued that they have gone untouched because their actions were considered “victimless.”
Peebles pointed to German financial giant Deutsche Bank, who publicly stated that they did not rely on Trump’s financial statements and that they would still do business with him. This, according to Peebles, shows that the ruling against Trump was politically motivated.
The real estate developer concluded by stating that he believes Trump will be successful in appealing the ruling and that the law must be applied equally, regardless of public perception or personal opinions. “Not to say I don’t like Donald Trump, but I’m saying that for political purposes, we cannot use our system for that purpose,” Peebles said.
The controversial comments made by Peebles have sparked debate within the Democratic Party and among business leaders. Some view his remarks as divisive and damaging to the party’s unity, while others see them as a necessary wake-up call for the party to reconsider its leadership.
There are also those who believe that the ruling against Trump is a necessary step in holding him accountable for his actions and setting a precedent for future cases. However, others argue that the ruling sets a dangerous precedent for using the legal system for political gain.
Some have accused Peebles of being biased, as he has financially supported both Obama and Trump in the past. However, he maintains that his views are not based on personal loyalty or political leanings, but on the principle of fairness and the rule of law being applied equally to all individuals.
Despite the controversy surrounding his comments, Peebles remains firm in his stance and urges the Democratic Party to consider the potential consequences of continuing to support Biden and Harris as their candidates for the 2024 election. As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how the party and the public will respond to Peebles’ call for change.
