PAC Funds Raise Eyebrows Over Bizarre Disbursement Patterns

An anti-Trump PAC is facing serious backlash for allegedly redirecting donor funds to insider-owned companies, raising concerns about transparency and ethics.

At a Glance

Approximately one-third of the Lincoln Project’s funds this election cycle have gone to insider-controlled firms.
Over $4 million of the $12.8 million spent since January 2023 went to leadership-owned firms.
In 2021, more than half of the $90 million raised in 2020 was paid to firms owned by top personnel.
Critics, including George Conway, have slammed the organization for financial opacity and ineffective results.

Insider-Owned Firms Benefit from PAC Funds

The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump political action committee, is facing scrutiny for its financial practices. Reports indicate that roughly one-third of its funds during this election cycle were channeled to firms controlled by senior operatives within the organization. This redirection of funds has raised ethical questions and concerns about transparency. Critics argue that these actions present serious conflicts of interest and undermine the integrity of the PAC’s fundraising and spending practices.

Since January 2023, the Lincoln Project has spent a staggering $12.8 million, with over $4 million going to firms owned by its leadership. In 2021, it was revealed that more than half of the $90 million raised for the 2020 election cycle was disbursed to insider-owned firms. These revelations have amplified calls for greater accountability and transparent financial practices in political fundraising.

Anti-Trump PAC Continues To Shuffle Millions Of Donor Dollars To Firms Owned By Insiders https://t.co/ZDFbsjAIXp via @DailyCaller

— Chris 🇺🇸 (@Chris_1791) August 25, 2024

Financial Breakdown and Criticism

The breakdown of the PAC’s spending shows that 31% went to consulting, 16% to salary/payroll, 10% to non-candidate-specific ads, over $500,000 to podcast services, and nearly $1 million to legal fees. Lever Communications, owned by Democratic strategist Joe Trippi, received nearly $1 million for consulting and digital advertising. Rick Wilson’s firm, Intrepid Media, received $664,000 for strategy consulting, while his son Andrew Wilson was paid $105,750 for corporate campaign management.

“Their whole schtick is ticking off Donald Trump, and that’s what they sell,” Capital Research Center Senior Investigative Researcher Ken Braun told the DCNF.

Critics, including the PAC’s co-founder George Conway and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have criticized the organization’s financial opacity and alleged inefficacy. The Lincoln Project has faced sustained criticism for self-dealing and its inability to achieve desired political objectives since its establishment in 2019.

Failed Campaigns and Ineffectiveness

Failed campaigns include a $2.7 million effort against Montana Senator Steve Daines and a $1.7 million campaign against Maine Senator Susan Collins. The Lincoln Project also spent $300,000 supporting Democrat Terry McAuliffe’s unsuccessful 2021 Virginia gubernatorial run. Despite the allegations and criticisms, the Lincoln Project continues to spend on operations aimed at opposing Trump, including targeted attack ads and mobile billboards.

Critics argue that the Lincoln Project’s strategy primarily targets Trump haters for fundraising rather than effectively stopping the former president. The controversy underscores the critical need for accountability and transparent financial practices in the political fundraising landscape.