Democrats' Online Fundraising Platforms Face Attacks from Trump
Here's a revised, informal, and straightforward version of the article:
Donald Trump is taking aim at Democratic political campaigns by going after their online fundraising platforms. In a surprise move on Thursday, Trump issued an executive order targeting ActBlue, the primary fundraising powerhouse for the Democratic Party.
The executive order, publicly available on the White House website, hints at "foreign nationals" potentially using ActBlue to fund American elections illegally. The order empowers the new Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessant, to scrutinize such fundraising sites for signs of wrongdoing. Specifically, the order cites "press reports and congressional investigations" that reveal “online fundraising platforms [may be] willing participants in schemes to launder excessive and prohibited contributions."
According to the order, suspicious activities like breaking down large contributions into multiple smaller donations without the knowing consent of the donor, using "dummy" accounts, and transactions made through gift cards or prepaid credit cards could be masking foreign influence. The order allows Bondi and Bessant to "investigate" these platforms for any evidence. Gizmodo requested more information from the administration regarding the investigation.
Interestingly, the order refers to a previous House Republican investigation into ActBlue that allegedly discovered evidence of foreign-based fraud on the platform.
It's important to note that Republicans also have their own fundraising operation, WinRed, established during Trump's presidency. Launched in 2019, WinRed operates as a for-profit fundraising tool, hoping to level the playing field with Democrats' ActBlue. However, WinRed hasn't been nearly as successful and has faced criticism from Republicans themselves. In fact, it has been investigated by various state attorneys general for its fundraising tactics.
Curiously, some suspect the allegations against ActBlue to be politically motivated. The Democratic Party and ActBlue have claimed that these actions aim to suppress democratic participation.
However, it's essential to note that while there have been instances of isolated fraud and foreign activities, there is little substantial evidence to suggest systemic foreign influence or donation laundering through ActBlue. ActBlue primarily manages small-dollar donations, making it more challenging to hide extensive schemes.
- Gizmodo is seeking more information from the administration about the investigation into ActBlue, a Democratic Party fundraising powerhouse targeted by an executive order issued by Donald Trump.
- The executive order, available on the White House website, suggests that foreign nationals may illegally fund American elections using ActBlue, and it empowers the Attorney General and Treasury Secretary to examine such fundraising sites for signs of wrongdoing.
- The order cites press reports and congressional investigations that indicate online fundraising platforms might be accomplices in schemes to launder excessive and prohibited contributions.
- Suspicious activities such as breaking down large contributions into multiple smaller donations without the donor's consent, using "dummy" accounts, and transactions made through gift cards or prepaid credit cards could be masking foreign influence, according to the order.
- Republicans also have their fundraising operation, WinRed, which has faced criticism for its fundraising tactics and hasn't been as successful as Democrats' ActBlue.
- Some suspect the allegations against ActBlue to be politically motivated, with the Democratic Party and ActBlue accusing the Republicans of attempting to suppress democratic participation.
