Episode 695: Donations to Trump’s Inauguration May Reach $200M, Funding the Parade, Inaugural Balls . . . and Pay-to-Play Influence

American Democracy Minute

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Jan. 15, 2025
Donations to Trump’s Inauguration May Reach $200M, Funding the Parade, Inaugural Balls . . . and Pay-to-Play Influence
Donald Trump’s inaugural committee has received $170 Million dollars in contributions, and it’s expected to reach $200 Million – almost double his 2017 total. Yes, the contributions pay for the inaugural balls, but inaugural funds are also a vehicle for corporate “pay to play” contributions, currying favor for federal contracts, lenient legislation, or access to the President.
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Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Federal Election Commission - Funding inaugural committee activities
National Archives - Federal Code § 104.21 Reporting by inaugural committees.
CNN/AP - Trump’s inaugural committee has already raised a record $170 million in donations
Federal Election Commission - Inaugural committee reporting

Open Secrets - First Trump Administration: 2017 Inauguration Donors
Courthouse News - (2017) Trump Inaugural Committee Reported to FEC for Violations
Open Secrets - (2019) - Shining a light on inaugural committees
Open Secrets - (2019) - Companies that funded Trump’s inauguration came up big in 2017

Groups Taking Action:

Common Cause, Public Citizen, C.R.E.W.

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy #DemocracyNews #TrumpInauguration #PaytoPlay #CorporateInfluence