Who is the Wealthy Backer Behind the Ads Criticizing Cuban-American Lawmakers?

Michael B. Fernández, a Cuban-American billionaire and philanthropist based in Florida, has chosen to step out of the shadows to acknowledge his role in funding a substantial advertising campaign that harshly criticizes Cuban-American Republican lawmakers in Congress for their stance on immigration. For months, Miami's residents have been met with billboards and digital ads bearing bold messages like “Deporting immigrants is cruel,” alongside images of Congress members Mario Díaz-Balart, Carlos Giménez, and María Elvira Salazar. The ads even condemned the construction of a new immigrant detention center in the Everglades, termed “Alligator Alcatraz.”

Until recently, the identity of the person behind these messages remained a mystery. However, in an interview with The New York Times, Fernández — the 73-year-old chairman of MBF Healthcare Partners — disclosed that he has been the financial force behind the campaign through the political group Keep Them Honest. His aim is to “awaken the consciousness” of the Miami community, particularly his fellow Cuban-Americans.

“We are witnessing a replay of what I experienced at age 12 when I left Cuba. It's beyond concerning; it's terrifying,” stated Fernández, who departed from the Republican Party over a decade ago.

A Call to Cuban-Americans

Fernández believes many Cuban-Americans fail to recognize the parallels between the authoritarian regimes they fled and the democratic decline he perceives in the United States today. His campaign seeks to ignite this debate, primarily targeting Cuban-American lawmakers who, in his view, have not adequately challenged the immigration policies spearheaded by Donald Trump.

While the mentioned Congress members have shown some opposition to removing immigration protections for Venezuelans and other groups, Fernández accuses them of being lukewarm and complicit. Last May, he published full-page ads in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, labeling them as "complicit and cowardly.” In a letter he intends to make public, Fernández addressed the lawmakers directly: “It’s not the far left criticizing you. It’s us.”

More Than Just Financial Resources

Fernández acknowledges his readiness to invest “millions, even tens of millions” in the campaign but admits that money alone is insufficient. His ambition is to spark a movement uniting donors, activists, and voters determined to challenge congressional Republicans who, in his opinion, have not done enough to oppose Trump’s immigration policies.

He has privately persuaded over 30 donors — about a third of them Republicans — to contribute to Keep Them Honest. Nevertheless, many prefer to remain silent, fearing backlash. Fernández himself claims to have received threats and lost friendships, investors, and even family connections due to his political activism.

A Former Republican Ally

Before becoming an outspoken critic of Trumpism, Fernández was one of the Republican Party’s largest donors in Florida. He actively supported former Governor Rick Scott's 2014 re-election and contributed millions to Jeb Bush’s 2016 presidential campaign. However, when Trump won the primaries, Fernández broke ranks and endorsed Hillary Clinton in the general election. In the past, he also supported Congresswoman Salazar’s campaign, one of the figures he now seeks to unseat.

A Personal Legacy

Arriving in the United States in 1965, Fernández fondly recalls the support he received from fellow immigrants. He served as a paratrooper in the Army and became a successful entrepreneur. In recent years, he has donated millions to universities and foundations, including a $1 million donation to Florida International University in protest against the repeal of a state law allowing in-state tuition for undocumented students. Now, part of that money will be redirected to scholarships for undocumented youth. “I need to leave a mark,” he said. “An example for my family and my children.”

With his name now publicly associated with the campaign, Fernández hopes more voices will join his cause. In a state where the Cuban-American electorate strongly supported Trump's second term, his crusade represents an unusual — and challenging — call to collective awareness.