Former President Joe Biden's new effort to raise money for a presidential library is struggling to attract Democrat donors. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Another donor said "no way" when asked by the outlet about giving to the library.
Biden also faces residual frustration from the party over his decision to initially seek re-election despite health issues that ultimately led to him dropping out of the race last summer after his highly scrutinized mental acuity was put on display during a presidential debate against then-candidate Donald Trump. Former Vice President Kamala Harris then quickly secured the party's nomination before losing to Trump in November.
"I want an $800,000 refund," personal injury lawyer John Morgan told NBC News, referring to money he said he raised for Biden that went to Harris last year.
"I don’t believe a library will ever be built unless it’s a bookmobile from the old days," Morgan joked.
Susie Buell, a major donor to the party, told the outlet nobody had asked for her donation but that she is "not inclined to give to libraries."
The chairman of the library board, Rufus Gifford, who led fundraising for Biden’s re-election campaign and was finance director for former President Barack Obama, expressed optimism that donors will want to contribute.
The project seeks to rake in between $200 million and $300 million. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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Donors often complained about a lack of access to Biden when he was in office, saying they were asked to write checks but then could not get a phone call returned.
People who frequently interact with major Democratic donors say other potential obstacles include the threat of becoming a target of Trump.
"This is a very difficult time to raise large checks for Democrats because of how vindictive Donald Trump is," Democratic National Committee fundraising chair Chris Korge told NBC News, citing conversations with donors.
Korge also said he had personally called on Biden and his team to focus on raising money for a library and to put aside plans for a second term.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democratic-donors-reluctant-give-bidens-presidential-library-report