Steven Mnuchin. (Getty)
A Wall Street banker and Hollywood movie producer, who has contributed to the campaigns of Hillary Clinton and other Democrats in the past, has been named as Donald Trump’s national finance chairman.
Steven Mnuchin, 53, was added to the presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s team on Thursday, Trump’s campaign announced in a press release.
“It’s a great privilege to be working with Mr. Trump to create a world class finance organization to support the campaign in the general election,” Mnuchin said in a statement.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. He Contributed to Hillary Clinton’s Senate Campaigns & 2008 Democratic Presidential Campaign but Has Also Supported Republicans
(Getty)
Steven Mnuchin has contributed more than $120,000 to both Democrats and Republicans over the past two decades, Politico reports. About $64,000 of those contributions went to Democratic candidates and $40,000 to Republicans, according to Politico.
He gave $7,000 to Clinton’s 200 and 2006 Senate bids, and also contributed to her 2008 Democratic presidential campaign. He contributed $2,300 to President Barack Obama’s 2007 presidential campaign.
In 2011 he contributed $2,500 on two occasions to Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign and gave $20,000 to the Republican National Committee in 2012. He has also contributed to John Edwards, Chuck Schumer, Rudy Giuliani, Al Gore and John Kerry, Politico reports.
Mnuchin’s political past does not differ much from that of his new boss.
Trump has also contributed to Clinton’s campaigns in the past. The presumptive GOP presidential nominee has said it was important for his business interests to support political candidates on both sides.
2. He Began His Career at Goldman Sachs Before Working for the George Soros-Funded OneWest Bank Group LLC
Honorees Heather Mnuchin and Steven Mnuchin recipients of the Philanthropic Leadership Award speak onstage during The Kaleidoscope Ball – Designing The Future benefiting the UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA at Beverly Hills Hotel on April 17, 2013. (Getty)
Mnuchin, a Yale University graduate, began his career at Goldman Sachs, rising to become a partner, according to the press release from Trump’s campaign.
After working at Goldman Sachs for 17 years, Mnuchin became the chairman and CEO of OneWest Bank Group LLC, a bank holding company, from 2009 to 2015. According to Politico, OneWest Bank Group was funded partly by George Soros, a major Democratic donor who has given millions to Hillary Clintons super PAC.
He is currently the chairman and CEO of Dune Capital Management LP, a private investment firm.
3. Trump Says Mnuchin Brings ‘Unprecedented Experience & Expertise’ to the Campaign
(Getty)
Trump praised Mnuchin in a statement announcing his new role with the campaign.
“Steven is a professional at the highest level with an extensive and very successful financial background. He brings unprecedented experience and expertise to a fundraising operation that will benefit the Republican Party and ultimately defeat Hillary Clinton,” Trump said.
The campaign said, “Mr. Trump is the presumptive Republican Nomination for President of the United States and is taking steps to gear up for a General Election against Democratic Nominee Hillary Clinton. Mr. Trump has self-funded his successful primary battle and will likewise be putting up substantial money toward the general election.”
4. He Was an Executive Producer for ‘American Sniper,’ ‘The Lego Movie,’ & ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’
Producer Steve Bing, left, and honoree Steven Mnuchin, recipient of the Philanthropic Leadership Award attend The Kaleidoscope Ball – Designing The Future benefitting the UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA at Beverly Hills Hotel on April 17, 2013.(Getty)
In addition to his extensive ties to Wall Street, Mnuchin is also connected to Hollywood.
Mnuchin has been an executive producer on several films since 2014, including “American Sniper,” “The Lego Movie,” “Mad Max:Fury Road,” “Black Mass,” “The Intern” and “Entourage,” according to his IMDB.com page.
5. He Is Divorced & Has 3 Children
Peter Hermann, Mariska Hargitay, Heather Mnuchin and Steven Mnuchin attend the Theodora & Callum Shopping Event Benefiting The Joyful Heart Foundation on July 6, 2012 in Bridgehampton, New York. (Getty)
Steven Mnuchin and his wife, Heather Crosby, divorced in 2014.
They have three children together. The couple married in 1999, according to their New York Times wedding announcement.
