Analysis of Federal Election Commission records reveals that Donald Trump’s largest donors during his second term included tech CEOs and individuals with relatives facing legal challenges. Many of these donors, who had previously given little to political campaigns, contributed substantial sums to the Trump-affiliated super PAC, MAGA Inc. Among the notable donors were OpenAI CEO Greg Brockman and the CEO of Palantir, Alexander Karp. Some donors’ relatives later received leniency from the administration, leading to scrutiny, even though officials maintain those decisions were not influenced by donations.
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Elon Musk, following a falling out with Donald Trump, now plans to support GOP politicians with his vast fortune, focusing on the upcoming midterm elections. This shift contradicts his earlier plan to create a new “America Party” and break the bipartisan consensus. Musk’s decision follows reports of him cutting “big checks” for congressional Republicans after a dinner with Vice President J.D. Vance, aligning with efforts to mend his relationship with Trump. Previously, Musk donated over $290 million to Republican candidates in the 2024 election cycle, despite their relationship having soured.
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During a White House Hanukkah reception, Donald Trump claimed that Israeli-American donor Miriam Adelson offered him $250 million to run for an unconstitutional third term in 2028. This announcement came after Adelson, who was married to billionaire Sheldon Adelson until his death in 2021, spoke with Alan Dershowitz about the possibility of Trump serving another term, prompting chants of “Four more years.” Trump has repeatedly teased the idea of running again, despite the 22nd Amendment, and has received support from the Adelsons, who have long encouraged pro-Israel policies. While Trump has given mixed signals about the possibility, the meeting sparked further speculation on his future political aspirations.
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Elon Musk is funding Republican congressional candidates, signaling a thaw in tensions with Donald Trump and the Republican party. The world’s richest person and largest donor of the 2024 election cycle intends to continue donating through 2026. This comes after Musk reportedly paused efforts to create a new political party, the “America Party,” as he sought to maintain good relationships with prominent Republicans, including JD Vance, to whom he plans to give his backing in the 2028 election. Although Musk may be focused on his business ventures, he will continue to spend money to back candidates, despite the failed Trump experiment and shareholder disapproval.
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A senior Democratic senator is demanding an investigation into potential insider trading by fossil fuel billionaires associated with the Trump administration. The call for investigation stems from a Guardian report detailing an unusual stock purchase by Venture Global executives following a meeting with senior Trump officials, including the energy secretary who later granted the company a crucial export license. These executives, who have a history of significant political donations, purchased a million shares each just days after the meeting. The senator cited potential conflicts of interest and the appearance of pay-to-play as justification for a probe into the timing of the stock trades.
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Nike founder Phil Knight recently donated $3 million to the Bring Balance to Salem PAC, a Republican political action committee in Oregon, representing his largest single contribution to Republican causes in the state. This donation, reported by Willamette Week, brings the PAC’s cash on hand to $3.93 million. With an estimated net worth exceeding $31 billion, Knight’s increased financial support for Republicans, including past donations to Republican candidates and campaigns, could significantly influence the state’s legislative balance, particularly as he has expressed frustration with the state’s Democratic leadership in the past.
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Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced on social media that he is seeking donations to fund his transition into office. Having raised $1 million, the campaign needs an additional $3 million to cover expenses like vetting resumes and planning policy implementation. Unlike the campaign, transitions do not receive public matching fees, prompting Mamdani to emphasize his reliance on smaller donations, with an average of $77 per donation so far, in contrast to Mayor Eric Adams’ significantly higher average donation amount. Mamdani hopes to use the funds to ensure a smooth transition, allowing his team to start delivering on day one.
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A recent report reveals that numerous donors who financially contributed to President Trump’s White House ballroom have significant business interests pending before the administration. These interests include involvement in multi-billion dollar government contracts and federal investigations into their respective companies. The government watchdog group’s findings highlight potential conflicts of interest arising from these contributions. The report underscores the intersection of political donations and business dealings within the Trump administration.
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Senator John Fetterman’s fundraising in the third quarter of this year was the lowest since he announced his candidacy. His campaign raised under $330,000 and spent nearly $575,000 during this period, marking the third consecutive quarter where spending exceeded income. This dip, which is noteworthy, has led to speculation that his position among his party’s financial supporters might be in question. Other Democratic figures, such as Brendan Boyle, are also out-raising Fetterman, which could lead to challenges in the upcoming years.
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Netflix co-founder drops $2 million into Gavin Newsom’s redistricting campaign, and it’s certainly generating a lot of buzz. This kind of financial backing is a significant development, especially in the political landscape of California, where redistricting efforts can be a real battleground.
The sheer size of the donation, $2 million, immediately grabs attention. It’s a substantial sum, undoubtedly capable of making a difference in a political campaign. However, when considering the individual making the donation – a co-founder of Netflix, a company with a market capitalization in the billions – the perspective shifts a bit. Some might argue that it represents a drop in the bucket for someone of that financial standing.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood