Dozens of Trump’s biggest donors previously showed no major interest in politics.
I took a hard look at newcomers who gave at least $1M and could now shape the future of the GOP and American democracy.
Let's meet the MAGA Money... (THREAD)
propublica.org/article/trump-…
I took a hard look at newcomers who gave at least $1M and could now shape the future of the GOP and American democracy.
Let's meet the MAGA Money... (THREAD)
propublica.org/article/trump-…
These are just some of the new GOP mega-donors who Trump brought off the sidelines. Some of them share the same extreme views as many Trump supporters on the election, vaccines, masks & other issues.
TIMOTHY MELLON: $70M (pre-Trump donations: $305K)
Yes, like that Mellon.
The banking heir disparaged Black people & people who receive govt benefits, as @myhlee scooped in 2020:
washingtonpost.com/politics/timot…
Yes, like that Mellon.
The banking heir disparaged Black people & people who receive govt benefits, as @myhlee scooped in 2020:
washingtonpost.com/politics/timot…
IKE PERLMUTTER: $32M (pre-Trump: $6,600)
Marvel Entertainment chairman, Mar-a-Lago member. You may remember him from that time Trump gave a major donor sweeping influence over the VA:
propublica.org/article/ike-pe…
Marvel Entertainment chairman, Mar-a-Lago member. You may remember him from that time Trump gave a major donor sweeping influence over the VA:
propublica.org/article/ike-pe…
KELCY WARREN: $17M (pre-Trump: $578.6K)
His company operates the Dakota Access pipeline. After Trump helped the pipeline get approved, Warren’s wealth increased more than any other American’s.
forbes.com/sites/noahkirs…
His company operates the Dakota Access pipeline. After Trump helped the pipeline get approved, Warren’s wealth increased more than any other American’s.
forbes.com/sites/noahkirs…
PATRICIA DUGGAN: $5M (pre-Trump: $16,460)
BOB DUGGAN: $4.6M (pre-Trump: $18,650)
Biggest donors to the Church of Scientology. Divorced in 2017. Huge fortune from 2015 sale of a cancer drug company.
BOB DUGGAN: $4.6M (pre-Trump: $18,650)
Biggest donors to the Church of Scientology. Divorced in 2017. Huge fortune from 2015 sale of a cancer drug company.
LYNDA BLANCHARD: $3M (pre-Trump: $84K)
Became ambassador to Slovenia under Trump in 2019. Now running for Senate in Alabama, but lost Trump’s endorsement to this guy: propublica.org/article/mo-bro…
Became ambassador to Slovenia under Trump in 2019. Now running for Senate in Alabama, but lost Trump’s endorsement to this guy: propublica.org/article/mo-bro…
PALMER LUCKEY: $2.8M (pre-Trump: $0)
Oculus VR founder, pushed out of Facebook after it bought the company. Now sells border security tech to the government. (Sister is engaged to Matt Gaetz.) wsj.com/articles/why-d…
Oculus VR founder, pushed out of Facebook after it bought the company. Now sells border security tech to the government. (Sister is engaged to Matt Gaetz.) wsj.com/articles/why-d…
JULIA JENKINS FANCELLI: $2.2M (pre-Trump: $193K)
Heiress to Publix supermarket fortune. Funded Jan. 6 rally that led to Capitol riot. wsj.com/articles/jan-6…
Heiress to Publix supermarket fortune. Funded Jan. 6 rally that led to Capitol riot. wsj.com/articles/jan-6…
MARLYNE SEXTON: $2M (pre-Trump: $113K)
Wife of Midwest property mogul. “People are afraid to walk down the street, it’s a joke,” she said. Afraid of what? “You can answer that for yourself, and if you can’t then we probably don’t agree. I can’t help you understand that.”
Wife of Midwest property mogul. “People are afraid to walk down the street, it’s a joke,” she said. Afraid of what? “You can answer that for yourself, and if you can’t then we probably don’t agree. I can’t help you understand that.”
ROGER NORMAN: $2M (pre-Trump: $97,100)
Reclusive owner of Reno business park that, thanks to lobbying, benefited from “Opportunity Zone” provision of Trump tax cut: washingtonpost.com/business/econo…
Reclusive owner of Reno business park that, thanks to lobbying, benefited from “Opportunity Zone” provision of Trump tax cut: washingtonpost.com/business/econo…
BRIAN COLLERAN: $1.6M (pre-Trump: $87K)
Runs a nursing home chain that settled Medicare false-claims allegations in 2017 for $19.5M. Hosted Trump fundraiser in 2019: cleveland.com/politics/2019/…
Runs a nursing home chain that settled Medicare false-claims allegations in 2017 for $19.5M. Hosted Trump fundraiser in 2019: cleveland.com/politics/2019/…
MICHAEL & CARYN BORLAND: $1.6M (pre-Trump: $12,900)
Grocery workers who inherited a fortune. Pence fundraiser canceled after revelations they had posted QAnon conspiracy theories online: apnews.com/article/electi…
Grocery workers who inherited a fortune. Pence fundraiser canceled after revelations they had posted QAnon conspiracy theories online: apnews.com/article/electi…
DAVID & LEILA CENTNER: $1M (pre-Trump: $0)
VIPs for the Jan. 6 rally.
Told staff at their Miami private school they could not work there if they get vaccinated. nytimes.com/2021/05/02/us/…
VIPs for the Jan. 6 rally.
Told staff at their Miami private school they could not work there if they get vaccinated. nytimes.com/2021/05/02/us/…
Some other names you might recognize:
•Pandemic rally host DON AHERN: $1.1M (pre-Trump: $68K)
•Arizona Iced Tea co-founder JOHN FEROLITO: $1M ($71K)
•UnitedHealth founder RICHARD BURKE: $1M ($72K)
•Pandemic rally host DON AHERN: $1.1M (pre-Trump: $68K)
•Arizona Iced Tea co-founder JOHN FEROLITO: $1M ($71K)
•UnitedHealth founder RICHARD BURKE: $1M ($72K)
More in the story! propublica.org/article/trump-…
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