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☆ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and House Democrats push Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Clarence Thomas' lavish gifts from billionaires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Azmi Haroun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A group of House Democrats has asked the DOJ to investigate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The letter stated that Thomas should be investigated because of the dozens of gifts he failed to disclose. On Thursday, after ProPublica published its latest report, a chorus of Democrats called on Thomas to resign, according to Politico. In April, Crow and Thomas first faced scrutiny related to the 20 years worth of undisclosed trips Crow is accused of gifting to Thomas, per ProPublica. The outlet later reported that Crow purchased Thomas' mother's house and allowed her to live there without paying rent.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Thomas, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Garland, Harlan Crow, ProPublica, Crow, unearthing, SCOTUS, Jamie Raskin, Hank Johnson, Ted Lieu, Jerry Nadler, Thomas's, gifting, Thomas —, —, Michaela Rose, John Roberts Organizations: House Democrats, DOJ, Service, Supreme, of Justice, GOP, Democrats, Politico, Reps, Dallas Morning News, ProPublica, SCOTUS Locations: Wall, Silicon, Alexandria, Rochelle

☆ Justice Clarence Thomas enjoyed more vacations, private flights and perks thanks to wealthy friends, new ProPublica report details
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Tierney Sneed | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

These costly trips and travel perks often went unreported on the justice’s financial disclosure forms, ProPublica said in its investigation. Lynne Sladky/APProPublica interviewed more than 100 people, including staff that would have worked some of the trips that Thomas took. Thomas did not respond to ProPublica’s detailed list of questions for its report, nor did Novelly. None of the Thomas benefactors highlighted in the new report appear to have had direct business in front of the Supreme Court, ProPublica said. Thomas intends to amend his financial disclosure forms, a source close to the justice previously told CNN, to at least reflect Crow’s 2014 purchase of Thomas’ mother’s home.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Thomas, ProPublica, Harlan Crow, Thomas ’, Crow, “, ” Thomas, David Sokol, Berkshire Hathaway, Wayne Huizenga, Paul “ Tony ” Novelly, Lynne Sladky, Huizenga, Daniel Acker, Getty Images Sokol, ” Sokol, Republican megadonors, he’s, Paul Anthony, Tony, Novelly, Horatio, Jeremy Fogel, ”, Fogel, Horatio Alger, John Roberts, Roberts, Samuel Alito, Thomas ’ mother’s, Anthony Welters, Obama Organizations: CNN, GOP, Blockbuster, Waste Management Inc, NFL, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, US Marshals Service, Berkshire Hathaway Inc, Bloomberg, Getty Images, Republican, Horatio Alger, Distinguished, Horatio, Horatio Alger Association, New York Times, The New York Times, Democratic, Times Locations: Florida, Berkshire, Miami, Omaha , Nebraska

☆ Tucker Carlson could see Rebekah Mercer, Peter Thiel invest in his media company
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson could see two of the wealthiest GOP business megadonors, Rebekah Mercer and Peter Thiel, invest in his new media company, according to people familiar with the matter. Mercer has spoken with Carlson since his April departure from Fox News about possibly investing in his as yet unnamed media company, sources told CNBC. Thiel has hinted to allies that he could invest in the venture after hearing from Carlson's side, these people added. Shortly after leaving Fox, Carlson began hosting an episodic show on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Rebekah Mercer and Peter Thiel have for years been separate investors in a diverse array of conservative startups.

Persons: Tucker Carlson, megadonors, Rebekah Mercer, Peter Thiel, Mercer, Carlson, Thiel, Neil Patel, Fox, Devon Archer, Joe Biden's, Hunter Biden, Archer, Hunter, Andrew Breitbart, He's, Donald Trump, Robert Mercer, haven't Organizations: Fox News, GOP, CNBC, Mercer, 1789, Fox, Dominion Voting Systems, Twitter, Wall Street Journal, Republican, Breitbart News, Wall Street, Trump, Summit Locations: Iowa

☆ Ohio Republicans wanted to kneecap abortion activists before November. It may backfire on them.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Ohio Republicans want to make it harder to amend their state's constitution. Ohio Republicans who pushed the measure argued that a higher threshold was needed to keep future amendments focused only on what Ohioians want. Ohio Republicans previously banned most August elections. The GOP presidential primary race has split over candidates who back a bare-minimum nationwide abortion ban and those who do not. Polling shows that a nationwide ban is broadly unpopular, but the nomination contest provides the perfect time for anti-abortion activists to pressure candidates on the issue.

Persons: Sen, JD Vance, Vance, Frank LaRose, Brian Stewart, It's, Richard Uihlein, Uihlein, WOSU, Mike DeWine, Roe, Wade, Jackson, haven't, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis Organizations: Service, Republicans, Republican, Ohio Republicans, Columbus Dispatch, GOP, Ohio Capital, Ohio Gov, Florida Gov Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ohio, Illinois, An Ohio, Dobbs v, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohioans

Financial filings this week from two super PACs supporting him, which together have raised nearly $10.5 million, seemed to underscore this theme. The pro-Kennedy super PAC American Values 2024 received the bulk of its money from two megadonors: one who has contributed tens of millions to Republican causes, and another who has backed both Democrats and Republicans. Timothy Mellon, a Wyoming Republican who contributed $53 million in stock to a Texas fund paying for construction of a new border wall, gave that super PAC $5 million. “The fact that Kennedy gets so much bipartisan support tells me two things,” Mr. Mellon, previously a top donor to former President Donald J. Trump, said in a statement issued by American Values 2024. Dozens of venture capitalists, tech executives, real-estate builders and investors with varying political alliances also contributed to the Kennedy-aligned PACs.

Persons: Timothy Mellon, Gavin de Becker, Jeff Bezos, Kennedy, Mr, Mellon, Donald J, Trump, ”, Kennedy’s, Biden Organizations: Kennedy, Republicans, Wyoming Republican, Amazon, Mr, Republican, Senate Locations: Wyoming, Texas

☆ Sen. Tim Scott sees big money donor interest while Gov. Ron DeSantis hunts for cash
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSen. Tim Scott sees big money donor interest while Gov. Ron DeSantis hunts for cashCNBC's Brian Schwartz joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the state of the 2024 GOP presidential nominee race, why wealthy Wall Street megadonors are showing interest in Sen. Tim Scott, and more.

Persons: Email Sen, Tim Scott, Ron DeSantis, Brian Schwartz Organizations: Email, Gov Locations: Sen

☆ Populist senator JD Vance supports an effort to make it harder to change Ohio's constitution — even though it's backed by a GOP Illinois billionaire — because he says it protects voters from 'out of s
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ohio will vote August 8 on a measure to make it harder for voters to amend the state constitution. JD Vance backs it, arguing it protects voters from "out of state" interests ahead of an abortion referendum. If the ballot measure passes, future amendments to the state constitution would require at least 60% support among voters to be enacted. The change has been pushed by Ohio Republicans ahead of a referendum in November on enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution. "There is nothing radical about requiring a 60% vote to amend the State Constitution," reads a message on the group's website.

Persons: JD Vance, Republican Sen, it's, Vance, Mike DeWine, State Frank Rose, Richard Uihlein, Uihlein, Elizabeth, megadonors, Elizabeth Uihlein, Peter Thiel Organizations: GOP, Service, Ohio, Republican, Capitol, General, State, Tides Foundation, National Education Association Locations: Ohio, Illinois, Wall, Silicon, San, Francisco, enshrining

☆ Tim Scott sees big money donor interest while Ron DeSantis hunts for cash
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Nicholas Pfosi | ReutersSen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., is seeing a wave of wealthy donor interest as he runs for president, while Florida Gov. Herring has already donated $6,600 to Scott's 2024 run for president, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Nikki Haley will be in the Hamptons on Sunday for a fundraising event, according to an invitation reviewed by CNBC. Sobel, who is a managing partner at Valor Capital Group, donated $6,600 to DeSantis' campaign in late June, according to Federal Election Commission records. Andrew Romeo, a spokesman for the DeSantis campaign, pointed CNBC to their fundraising efforts in the second quarter.

Persons: Tim Scott, Saint Anselm College's, Nicholas Pfosi, Reuters Sen, Ron DeSantis, Scott, Goldman Sachs, Gary Cohn, Andy Sabin, Stanley Druckenmiller, Sabin, James Herring, Herring, Marc Rowan, Tim Scott Victory, Robert Giuffra, Cromwell, Nikki Haley, Donald Trump, DeSantis, meanwhile, Cohn, Druckenmiller, Goldman, Scott East, Still, he's, John Catsimatidis, Brandon Bell, Clifford Sobel's, Michael Pascucci, Sobel, Pascucci, Giuffra, Ronald Lauder, Paul Singer, Lauder, Singer, Andrew Romeo, –, Romeo, Glenn Youngkin, Trump Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Lisa Wagner, Wagner, she's Organizations: U.S, New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women, Saint Anselm, Saint Anselm College's New Hampshire Institute of Politics, Reuters, Florida Gov, CNBC, Hamptons, Republican, Trump National Economic Council, Trump, Billionaire, Apollo Global Management, Tim Scott Victory Fund, PAC, Southampton, Sullivan, Former South Carolina Gov, GOP, Washington Examiner, Florida Governor, Getty, Valor Capital, Commission, Business Jet, Gulfstream, Embraer, Bucknell University, Records, Politico, Virginia Gov, Hotel, Trump Secretary of Commerce, NBC News, DeSantis Locations: Saint, Manchester , New Hampshire, Florida, Long, East Hampton, North Carolina, Scott East Hampton, DeSantis, Ukraine, Scott, Rio Grande, Eagle Pass , Texas, Southampton, Charleston, Virginia, Aspen , Colorado, Colorado

☆ Donors, Don’t Fund a Trump Plurality
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Mitt Romney | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Wonder Land. As the Republican presidential candidates start to offer something more than Donald Trump's various paybacks, President Biden figures running against 'MAGA' is his path to a second term. Images: AP/Getty Images Composite: Mark KellyDespite Donald Trump’s apparent inevitability, a baker’s dozen Republicans are hoping to become the party’s 2024 nominee for president. That is possible for any of them if the field narrows to a two-person race before Mr. Trump has the nomination sewn up. That decision day should be no later than, say, Feb. 26, the Monday following the contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.

Persons: Donald Trump's, Biden, MAGA, Mark Kelly, Donald Trump’s, Trump, Republican megadonors Organizations: Republican Locations: Iowa , New Hampshire , Nevada, South Carolina

☆ Former Disney, Marvel exec Ike Perlmutter plans major donation to back Trump for president
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

US President Donald Trump shakes Ike Perlmutter, CEO of Marvel Entertainment, hand before signing an executive order at the US Department of Veterans Affairs April 27, 2017 in Washington, DC. Ike Perlmutter, the former chairman of Marvel Entertainment at Disney , is planning a key donation to back former President Donald Trump's 2024 run for president, according to his spokesman. His wife gave over $2 million to the same pro-DeSantis PAC, according to the records. Disney doesn't have the right to get involved with politics," Perlmutter reportedly told DeSantis in a phone call. Perlmutter told the publication he doesn't remember such a call taking place.

Persons: Donald Trump, Ike Perlmutter, Donald Trump's, Perlmutter, Trump, Perlmutter's, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ron, DeSantis, Bob Iger, Iger Organizations: Marvel Entertainment, US Department of Veterans, Disney, Trump, PAC, Commission, Department of Veterans Affairs, Marvel, Republican, Florida Republican Gov, DeSantis PAC, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Star Wars Locations: Washington , DC, Florida

☆ 5 reasons fighting Disney is a political winner for DeSantis — and 6 reasons it could hurt his shot at the presidency
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

It does a ton of business in China, which many GOP voters view as a threat to the US. DeSantis already ran on being anti-Disney — and wonTaryn Fenske, DeSantis' communications director, has described the Disney fight as being "the will of Florida voters." And they might not vote for DeSantis if they think the Disney fight is a killer in a general election. Families often work hard and save for years to take their children to Disney World. If DeSantis can't bring a resolution to the Disney fight, can he handle the job of president?

☆ GOP megadonor Peter Thiel won't fund candidates in 2024 because he's unhappy with the party's stance on abortion and transgender bathroom use, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Republican megadonor Peter Thiel is not planning to donate to any 2024 GOP candidates. Sources told Reuters that he's unhappy with the GOP's positions on abortions and transgender rights. One source, a Thiel business associate, said that the GOP's positions on abortion and restrictions on which bathrooms transgender students can use in schools contributed to his decision. Thiel contributed more than $25 million to federal-level GOP candidates in 2022, making him the 10th largest donor to either party in the midterm congressional elections, according to Reuters, which cited OpenSecrets data. The news that Thiel does not intend to contribute to GOP candidates in 2024 follows reports that Republican megadonors are souring on Gov.

☆ Democrats say Florida is 'dead for Biden' as his 2024 presidential campaign starts: 'We just need to be realistic'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

"It's like a dead carcass on the side of the road," DeSantis said in April of the Florida Democratic Party. Nearly two decades ago, Florida Democrats were "similarly declared dead, you know, forever, Amen," Schale said, but they rebounded. Wilfredo Lee/AP PhotoDemocrats say they still have spend in FloridaBut it's important for Democrats to still invest campaign resources in Florida, Democratic insiders said. Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said the party had no infrastructure and no voter registration drive when she took the helm in February. Joe Raedle/Getty Images, Scott Olson/Getty ImagesBuilding a Democratic benchFried she's optimistic about Florida Democrats' future — and Biden's potential there.

☆ DeSantis megadonors revolt in private chat, saying if they wanted a MAGA candidate they 'would donate to Donald Trump', report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ron DeSantis donors criticized him in a private chat. Rolling Stone obtained screenshots of the group chat between the GOP megadonors. Ron DeSantis donors raged together in a private chat about the Florida governor's presidential prospects. Rolling Stone gained access to screenshots of a group chat between several DeSantis donors, some of whom it said had given large sums to the governor. Other donors wrote that they wanted DeSantis to hit back harder at Trump, with one describing him as a "damn wimp," per Rolling Stone.

☆ Nikki Haley gets early support from wealthy donors while some remain on the sidelines
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Both Haley and Ramaswamy are trailing former President Donald Trump, according to the latest public polls. Team Stand for America's filing says the group received individual donations from wealthy donors ranging from $5,000 to $16,600. The joint fundraising committee finished raising over $4.3 million, while the Haley campaign itself brought in around $5.1 million, according to FEC records. Team Stand for America transferred about $1.8 million to the Haley campaign on March 31, according to the records. Leonard Stern, the CEO of real estate firm Hartz Mountain Industries, contributed the same amount as Hamm to Team Stand for America in March.

☆ Trump thinks an indictment will help him. It'll give DeSantis and Pence major headaches about how to respond.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Trump's indictment might appear to open the door to the Republican Party ridding themselves of him. Trump thinks the GOP voters will stand with him. The most recent national poll of Republican voters found that 77% have a favorable view of him. Among key parts of the GOP primary coalition, Trump continues to do quite well. An earlier CNN-SSRS poll found a narrower race between Trump, DeSantis, and the rest of the field, but it also showed that 34% of self-described white evangelicals would name Trump as their preferred pick for the nominee.

☆ DeSantis is often described as 'Trump without the baggage,' but there are plenty of differences between the two Republicans. How they play up their contrasts will decide who wins in 2024, GOP insiders
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-24 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

DeSantis could end up running for president in 2024, and he's widely viewed as similar to Trump. He's "Trump without the baggage," "Trump with a brain," Trump "without the drama," and "Trump's Mini Me." The pile on is a problem for both men should DeSantis join Trump in the ring for the 2024 nomination contest. "We know what we get with President Trump," he said. In Florida, DeSantis pushed the legislature to limit ballot collection by non-family members.

☆ Meet the megadonors backing the Trump super PAC as some top donors opt out of supporting 2024 candidacy
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Yet, the latest disclosure, which shows fundraising for the super PAC from Oct. 20 through Nov. 28, also lists nine other individual contributions totaling over $900,000. Wealthy businessman Timothy Mellon contributed $1.5 million to the super PAC on Oct. 5, according to the records. This small group of megadonors arrived in support of the super PAC just prior to other influential financiers deciding they will not back Trump's 2024 candidacy for president. During Trump's first run for the White House in 2016, Pate financed the anti-Trump super PAC We The People Foundation. Anthony Lomangino, a recycling mogul, donated $100,000 to the super PAC on Nov. 4.

☆ Ron DeSantis is strategically holding back from picking a fight with Trump, DeSantis ally and longtime GOP donor says: Rolling Stone
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ron DeSantis and his team are strategically avoiding attacks on Trump, per a GOP donor. Dan Eberhart told Rolling Stone he's been told to hold back from attacking Trump. Ron DeSantis' team is strategically holding back from picking a fight with former President Donald Trump, per a new Rolling Stone report. "My understanding is that the DeSantis team doesn't see upside in kicking off the fight with Trump this early, even if it may be inevitable," Eberhart told Rolling Stone. At a November 16 press conference, DeSantis told people to "chill out" about a possible GOP civil war between him and the former president.

☆ GOP megadonor Mercer family has no plans to boost Trump's 2024 campaign as former president loses more allies
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Robert Mercer and Rebekah Mercer attend the 2017 TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 25, 2017 in New York City. Rebekah Mercer gave nothing to any pro-Trump group or Trump campaign entity during his last run for president, according to the filings. The 2016 Trump campaign then reportedly used that data to conduct some digital advertising. The Trump campaign paid Cambridge Analytica over $5.9 million for its services during the 2016 election cycle, according to the nonpartisan OpenSecrets. The pro-Trump super PAC funded in part by Robert Mercer also paid Cambridge Analytica just over $5.6 million that cycle, OpenSecrets says.

☆ It's not just GOP donors — even Trump's onetime spiritual advisor is turning on him after his 2024 announcement, calling him a 'little elementary schoolchild'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Even Trump's onetime spiritual adviser is ditching him, after he announced his 2024 presidential bid. "If Mr. Trump can't stop his little petty issues, how does he expect people to stop major issues?" Even Trump's one-time spiritual adviser has publicly slammed him, calling him childish, a day after he announced his 2024 presidential run. This was after Trump announced his 2024 presidential bid on Tuesday night at Mar-a-Lago, pledging to make America "great" and "glorious" again. Robison did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider on whether he would endorse Trump's 2024 bid.

☆ Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman says he won't support Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential primary
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Madeline Berg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Blackstone CEO and GOP megadonor Steve Schwarzman says he won't support Donald Trump in 2024. Schwarzman and his wife donated $3 million to a Trump super PAC in 2020. The billionaire joins other prominent Republicans who say they will not support Trump's bid. Schwarzman and his wife, Christine Hearst Schwarzman, are Republican party megadonors. Schwarzman had previously criticized the January 6 Capitol rioters and did not support Trump's false claims that he had won the 2020 election.

☆ As Trump readies possible 2024 White House run, GOP megadonors back DeSantis, Youngkin, other Republicans
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Sabin contributed $55,000 this year to a pro-DeSantis PAC, Friends of Ron DeSantis, which supported the Florida governor's successful bid for reelection, according to state campaign finance records. Trump, meanwhile, has scheduled a primetime announcement Tuesday night, heavily hinting that it will be his presidential campaign launch. Trump also endorsed dozens of winning House candidates, but many of those Republicans were in firmly red districts without a serious competitor. Ross hosted a fundraiser for Trump at his Hamptons home in 2019 to raise money for Trump's campaign and the Republican National Committee. While Levine didn't personally donate to Trump's races, he helped raise campaign cash for several other candidates Trump endorsed in the last cycle.

☆ Factbox: How Wall St and billionaires have donated to U.S. elections
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( John Mccrank | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Prior to the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United ruling, which struck down limits on political contributions by corporations or unions, political contributions of billionaires made up around 3% of overall political contributions, she said. Griffin said in a statement: "I hope that my political engagement will help to protect the American Dream. * Crypto-billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried of FTX was the sixth-largest donor, at $39.8 million with the vast majority going to help Democrats. * Elliott Management founder Paul Singer spent $19.7 million to support Republicans, making him the 15th-largest donor. * Renaissance Technologies founder Jim Simons, together with Marilyn Simons, were the 20th-largest donors, spending nearly $16 million to help Democrats.

As a result, political observers say, public school funding is effectively on the ballot Tuesday. “These groups have been demonizing what is being taught in public schools, and that’s the fastest way to erode faith that public schools work,” Rottinghaus said. (Abbott publicly came out in support of private school vouchers two months after winning the primary with 66.5% of the vote.) Greg Abbott in the GOP primary, campaigned in support of private school vouchers. “I will never support vouchers.”Rep. John Bucy III said he will continue to oppose private school vouchers.

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