Man Utd owner makes huge donation to Donald Trump ahead of midterms

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Tom Weber | Writer

Manchester United co-owner Edward Glazer has made a sizeable donation to Donald Trump's Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterms.

According to data collected by City AM, the Red Devils director has given just over $220,000, making him the largest Republican donor among the Premier League's contingent of American owners.

Edward, one of the six Glazer siblings who have majority-owned Man Utd since 2005, has made eight separate donations to Trump ahead of the 3 November midterm elections in the United States.

These contributions were made via the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have been owned by the Glazers since 1995. Like Man Utd, the Bucs were initially acquired by Malcom Glazer, the father of Edward and his four brothers and one sister.

Glazer's last donation to Trump was made in June, but the revelation of his financial support for the sitting US president could hardly have come at a worse time. The Glazer family are once again facing a fan revolt at Man Utd.

Why are the Glazers hated?

The Glazers are despised by the Man Utd fanbase as they have overseen the club's decline from one of the most dominant teams in all of sport to one constantly mired in crisis and chaos.

Man Utd have endured their worst start to a season in more than 40 years and are currently on an eight-game winless run. However, the Glazers' apathetic ownership isn't coming under scrutiny for the first time.

On the contrary, the Glazers were hated from the moment they first stepped in the door. Man Utd supporters desperately fought against the takeover by the American family, but were powerless to stop it.

The Glazers acquired Man Utd via a leveraged buyout, which saw them secure the loans taken out for the operation against the club's assets. As a result, the club was saddled with hitherto unheard-of debt.

Fans have been protesting against the Glazers ever since and even created a new team, F.C. United of Manchester, in the lower leagues. The Glazers turned Man Utd into a commercial behemoth, but sporting success has been lacking since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

While Man Utd's debt now stands at more than £1.1 billion, it is estimated that the Glazers have enriched themselves by £1.3bn due to their ownership of the club. They would make billions more if they were to ever sell.

In early 2024, INEOS billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a boyhood Man Utd fan, acquired a minority stake in the club from the Glazers and was given control over sporting operations, but the team's fortunes haven't improved.

Who else has donated for the midterms?

In addition to Edward Glazer, the Republicans and associated entities have also received donations from other current and former American Premier League owners.

Crystal Palace's Josh Harris has not directly contributed to the party, but he has given $250,000 to SLF PAC, an independent Republican-aligned lobby group.

Bournemouth owner Bill Foley has provided $125,000 to Leadership in Action, which supports Republican Aaron Flint. Mike Crapo, a Republican sympathiser, has received $5,000 from Aston Villa co-owner Wes Edens.

Todd Boehly, who recently sold his stake in Chelsea, has donated $46,200 to various Republican organisations. Meanwhile, Ipswich investor Marc Lasry has given a small amount of money to the Democrats.