Grammy-winning hip-hop star Pras Michel was convicted Wednesday of 10 counts related to a "clandestine foreign influence campaign scheme" funded by Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho. The scheme involved payments to Barack Obama's 2012 presidential reelection campaign and efforts to influence the Trump administration to drop an extradition case on behalf of China. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Sessions testified in the trial, and Michel faces up to 20 years in prison. The case has highlighted the potential for foreign influence in American politics.
Posts tagged as “The Federal Election Commission”
Former President Donald Trump’s Fundraising Spikes After Grand Jury Indictment, New FEC Filings Show
Former President Donald Trump’s Fundraising Spikes After Grand Jury Indictment, New FEC Filings Show
Former President Donald Trump's main campaign committee raised $14.4 million in the first quarter of 2023, with donations spiking at the end of March due to his indictment. His joint fundraising committee raised an additional $4.4 million, for a total of $18.8 million. The filings suggest that the former President’s fundraising pace is similar to post-midterm weeks, and provide insight into the state of the race for the White House and Congress. It remains to be seen how the fundraising and spending of the various candidates and committees will evolve over the coming months.
Donald Trump has seen a surge in donations since being indicted by a Manhattan grand jury, raising a combined $18.8 million in the first quarter of 2023. His campaign has suggested that his legal woes have energized his base and helped him to raise more funds for his 2024 White House run. The former president's fundraising figures are likely to be closely watched as the 2024 presidential election draws closer.
Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Arizona, becoming the first Republican to enter the race for the seat currently held by independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Lamb is a vocal supporter of former President Trump and his advocacy for tougher immigration and drug smuggling laws, and has been a frequent guest on Fox News discussing immigration issues and criticizing Covid-19 vaccine requirements. His candidacy is likely to be welcomed by the Republican base, as his record of support for President Trump and his hardline stance on immigration is popular among the party's supporters.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the son of former New York senator and US attorney general Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy, has filed paperwork to run for president in 2024 as a Democrat. He is a controversial figure due to his anti-vaccine views, and his campaign is a long shot. Kennedy Jr. plans to focus on issues such as healthcare, the environment, and economic inequality, and has promised to bring a “new generation of leadership” to the White House.
Former President Donald Trump has been indicted by a grand jury in connection with an investigation into his alleged role in a hush money payment scheme and cover-up involving adult film star Stormy Daniels. The indictment charges Trump with two counts of felony criminal conduct, including conspiracy to commit campaign finance violations and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission. The indictment alleges that Trump conspired with his former attorney Michael Cohen to make payments to Daniels in order to influence the 2016 presidential election. The consequences of the indictment remain to be seen, but the investigation is ongoing.
Rep. Anthony D'Esposito (R-NY) has announced that he would not support Rep. George Santos' (R-NY) potential candidacy in 2024, as federal and state investigators are probing Santos' role in the sale of a $19 million yacht involving two of his wealthy donors. Santos recently filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission signaling that he may be considering running for another term in Congress, but the Nassau County Republican Committee is not in support of his potential candidacy. It remains to be seen if Santos will decide to run for Congress again in 2024 and how the investigations into his finances will affect his campaign.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Maxine Waters have both rid themselves of campaign contributions related to the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, which has raised questions about the role of Congress in the financial crisis. The 2018 law intended to provide relief to smaller banks was interpreted generously by the Federal Reserve, and Congress may take further action to ensure banks are held to a higher standard of oversight and safety.