Ex-AOC aide earned big bucks from anti-Biden PAC, but spent little on mission

Former ‌AOC ⁣Aide Rakes in ⁢Cash from⁢ Political Action​ Committee

A former aide to Rep. ⁤Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has found ⁢a lucrative opportunity through his⁣ anti-President Joe Biden political action ​committee (PAC), pocketing nearly $140,000 while spending very little on⁢ its intended mission, according to records.

Corbin Trent, Ocasio-Cortez’s former communications director, ⁢established the No Excuses PAC in 2021‍ with the ⁤goal ‍of pressuring centrist Senate Democrats to ‍support progressive policies​ and eliminate the filibuster. However, the PAC has since shifted its ⁤focus to fundraising by urging Biden not to seek reelection in 2024. Despite this change,⁢ the PAC has raised concerns⁣ among‌ progressive watchdogs due to its ⁤minimal⁤ spending of just $14,831 on radio ads ⁤targeting Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema⁤ (I-AZ), as⁣ revealed‍ in Federal Election ‍Commission filings.

“If 70% of all the money a group raises ends up in your pockets, then ‌the group’s ⁢primary purpose is enriching you,” said ⁢Jordan Libowitz, spokesman for the liberal ​Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics​ in ​Washington.

Financial disclosures indicate that Trent continuously paid himself for “campaign finance consulting” and “communications consulting” through the⁣ No Excuses PAC. Surprisingly, the PAC⁣ reported a mere $1,552 in its latest filing. Additionally, Trent claims on his⁣ LinkedIn account that the PAC produces a podcast called Building ‍the Dream, but records ​show that​ no episodes have been ‌released since October 2021.‌ The podcast’s⁣ hosts are affiliated with Justice Democrats,⁣ a PAC associated with Ocasio-Cortez⁤ and co-founded by Trent.

“Looking at​ the ‌PAC’s filings, it’s hard to see how its focus is anything other than redirecting donor ⁤funds into Trent’s bank account,” Libowitz added.

While Trent has profited significantly⁤ from the‍ No Excuses PAC, it​ is worth noting that the committee raised ⁣funds by running ads targeting Manchin and Sinema. The PAC’s page in 2022 urged supporters to contribute in‍ order to run ads pressuring the senators to ⁣align with Democratic priorities and end the filibuster.

As for the PAC’s spending, campaign finance disclosures reveal that it has allocated thousands ⁤of ‍dollars for hotels and⁣ airfare. The largest​ payment made since 2021 was $8,763.91 to Trent⁢ for consulting, followed by 15 separate payments of $7,500​ each.

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What ‍is the source of Trent’s success in raising funds for the No Excuses PAC, despite Ocasio-Cortez distancing herself⁣ from the organization?

Supporting Republican⁤ candidates who have aligned with Ocasio-Cortez on ​certain‌ policy issues.

Trent’s ability to raise funds for the PAC has been surprisingly successful, considering its shift in focus and the fact that Ocasio-Cortez herself has distanced herself from the organization. Records⁣ indicate‌ that Trent has managed to ​rake in nearly $140,000⁤ in donations, primarily from small-dollar contributors.

However, what ⁣is most concerning about the No Excuses PAC is how little of that money has actually been spent ‌on its intended mission. According to​ the records, only a⁤ fraction of the funds raised have been used ⁤to support progressive causes or pressure centrist Senate Democrats.

Instead, it appears that the bulk of the funds have gone towards administrative⁤ costs and salaries, ⁣with Trent himself taking home a sizable ‌portion. This raises serious questions about the PAC’s⁤ true intentions and whether Trent is ‌using it as ⁣a personal piggy bank.

Furthermore, the shift in focus from pressuring centrist Democrats to supporting Republican candidates also raises eyebrows. It seems contradictory to the original‍ goal of the ​PAC and suggests that Trent may have ulterior motives for his involvement.

The ‍fact that Trent is a ⁤former aide to Ocasio-Cortez only adds to the controversy surrounding this situation. Ocasio-Cortez is a prominent progressive voice in the Democratic Party, and⁤ her association with Trent and ⁢his questionable PAC activities⁢ could impact her credibility and reputation.

It is crucial for political action committees to operate with transparency⁤ and accountability. It is disappointing to ⁣see⁣ a former aide to a well-known congresswoman using a PAC to potentially enrich ⁣himself rather than making a meaningful impact on ‌progressive policies.

This case also highlights the need for stricter regulations and oversight ‍on PACs to⁢ prevent them from being abused​ for personal ⁤gain. It ​is essential⁢ to ensure that the funds raised are being used for their intended purpose and to hold those responsible accountable for⁤ any mismanagement or misconduct.

In conclusion, the No Excuses PAC’s shift in focus, questionable expenditures, and association with a former aide to​ Ocasio-Cortez raise serious concerns about its legitimacy‍ and true intentions. It is crucial for ⁢transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct to be upheld in political fundraising and advocacy efforts. The public deserves to know that‍ their donations are being‌ used effectively and in alignment with the ⁣stated goals of such organizations.

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