Biden dislikes dark money, but relies on it for his favorite Super PAC’s survival
President Biden’s Favorite Super PAC Funded by Dark Money Group
President Joe Biden’s favorite super PAC is almost exclusively funded by a dark money group bankrolled by George Soros, financial disclosures obtained by the Washington Free Beacon show.
Future Forward, the super PAC, has raised a modest $14 million since Biden took office. However, its dark money affiliate, Future Forward USA Action, has managed to raise over $129 million in the same period. Recent tax filings reveal that in 2022, almost all of its funding came from just 26 donors, including a generous $15 million gift from the Soros-funded Open Society Policy Center. Another significant contribution of $1.5 million came from the Hopewell Fund, a member of the Arabella Advisors dark money network.
This fundraising success raises questions about Biden’s stance on dark money. Despite repeatedly calling it a threat to democracy and endorsing efforts to limit its influence, Biden has recently embraced Future Forward and its dark money affiliate as the primary super PAC supporting his 2024 campaign.
Caitlin Sutherland, executive director of Americans for Public Trust, criticized Biden for aligning with such a massive dark money operation for his political benefit. Sutherland stated, ”Hypocrisy like this only lowers trust in our elected officials. It’s no surprise that after this dark money group spent tens of millions to support him, Americans still remain unconvinced by Biden’s agenda.”
Future Forward’s Close Ties to Dark Money Affiliate
Future Forward’s operations are closely intertwined with its dark money affiliate. Federal Election Commission records reveal that the super PAC has no employees of its own and relies on cash infusions and donated time from Future Forward USA Action’s staff to keep running.
Furthermore, Future Forward leaders do not seem to differentiate between the super PAC and its dark money affiliate when speaking to the press. In July, a spokesman for the super PAC claimed they had raised $50 million during the first half of 2023. However, subsequent FEC filings revealed that the dark money affiliate raised almost all of that amount, leaving only $11,000 for the super PAC.
Legal Issues and Lack of Transparency
Future Forward USA Action has faced legal issues and a lack of transparency. In August, the group altered its 2021 taxes shortly after the Free Beacon reported discrepancies in its original reporting and its apparent use of an illegal scheme to conceal donors. Although the amended filing addressed the identified issues, the group still faces an FEC complaint filed by the National Legal and Policy Center, alleging violations of federal law.
Paul Kamenar, an attorney with the watchdog group, criticized Biden’s super PAC for its lack of transparency and compliance with FEC laws. Kamenar stated, “Joe Biden’s super PAC’s failure to fully disclose and account for millions of dollars funneled to it from uber-rich donors to its related dark money group is not only an egregious violation of FEC laws, but also hypocritical considering Biden’s public statements against such dark money groups.”
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Susannah Luthi contributed to this report.
Should President Biden distance himself from entities funded by dark money in order to fulfill his promise of restoring transparency and integrity in government?
G publicly. In an interview with the Washington Free Beacon, Future Forward founder and CEO Mark Riddle acknowledged that the two organizations work together seamlessly. He stated, ”We closely coordinate with Future Forward USA Action, and it’s one of the reasons why we’ve been able to achieve such success.”
This close coordination and reliance on dark money raise concerns about transparency and accountability. Dark money refers to political spending by organizations that do not have to disclose their donors, allowing wealthy individuals and special interest groups to influence elections without public scrutiny. The lack of transparency undermines the democratic process and erodes trust in the political system.
Critics argue that President Biden, who campaigned on a promise to restore transparency and integrity in government, should distance himself from entities funded by dark money. The reliance on such organizations contradicts his stated commitment to reducing the influence of money in politics.
President Biden’s endorsement of Future Forward as his preferred super PAC suggests an acceptance of the role dark money plays in modern political campaigns. This raises questions about the president’s commitment to his stated principles and whether he prioritizes winning elections over ensuring transparency and fairness in the political process.
The issue of dark money has been a contentious one in recent years, with many Americans expressing concerns about its influence on the democratic process. By aligning himself with Future Forward and benefiting from its significant funding from dark money sources, President Biden risks appearing hypocritical and undermining his efforts to promote transparency and accountability in government.
As the 2024 election approaches, it is crucial for voters to consider the implications of candidates’ affiliations with dark money organizations. Transparency and campaign finance reform should remain key issues in the public discourse, as they directly impact the fairness and integrity of our democratic system. It is essential for elected officials to lead by example and break away from the cycle of relying on dark money to fund their campaigns.
President Biden’s association with Future Forward, heavily funded by a dark money group, raises concerns about the role of money in politics and the need for campaign finance reform. It is incumbent upon citizens and policymakers to hold elected officials accountable and push for greater transparency and accountability in our electoral system. Only through meaningful reforms can we ensure that democracy is truly upheld and that the people’s voices are not overshadowed by undisclosed, big-money interests.
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