Lobbying Filings Reveal What Companies Paid for Trump's Freedom 250
Freedom 250 isn't required to disclose what its corporate sponsors paid, but new lobbying filings reveal the first documented contribution amounts for some of its biggest backers.
Follow the Money.
Sludge is your guide to the hidden forces shaping politics. Join for free today.
Latest posts
Cleta Mitchell's Voter Suppression Charity Tripled Its Spending Ahead of the Midterms
The FAIR Elections Fund's latest tax filing shows the charity bankrolled ads warning Latino voters that casting a ballot could get them deported, and paid the consulting firm of an ally who now oversees election policy at the Department of Homeland Security.
Democrats' Fundraisers Are Also Running AI's Congressional Access Operation
Consultants paid by Rep. Haley Stevens and other Democratic Senate campaigns are also managing a nonprofit that gives Google, Meta, Palantir, and other AI companies direct access to the congressional staff who regulate them.
Carville's War on the Democratic Left Is Funded by Centrist Billionaires
James Carville's firm has been paid by American Bridge, a super PAC funded by billionaires who also bankroll groups fighting progressives in primaries—and he advised a lobbying shop the crypto industry paid more than half a million dollars.
Former Trump Officials Are Lobbying the Agencies They Just Left
A Sludge review of Q2 lobbying disclosures found multiple revolving-door hires from the Trump White House are already lobbying the very agencies they just left, after President Trump declined to issue an ethics pledge.
Dark Money Group Led by Corporate Lobbyists Funds Pro-Stevens Super PAC
A new FEC filing show nearly all of the $13 million spent so far by the pro-Haley Stevens super PAC A Stronger Michigan came from Center Forward, a dark money group led by lobbyists for Northrop Grumman and funded in part by PhRMA.
AI Companies Are Funding the AGs Investigating Them
OpenAI, Google, Meta, and others sent a wave of donations to both parties’ attorney general groups as AGs move to regulate the AI industry. Elon Musk's xAI contributed as well.
Jeffries Opposes Bid to Cut Israel Aid After Record AIPAC Earmark
The House Democratic leader's campaign operation recently took in AIPAC PAC's largest earmarked donation ever, from a billionaire hedge fund investor.
The 'Dark Money' Web Behind the Biden-Harris Campaign Is Finally Coming Into View
New tax filings reveal $173 million that flowed into the Future Forward dark money group from obscure nonprofits tied to powerful Democratic operatives.
Chemical Lobbyist-Packed EPA Boosts PFAS Pesticides
The EPA has approved new PFAS pesticides for nationwide use after its pesticide office adopted industry-friendly language excluding certain fluorinated chemicals from the agency’s PFAS designation, internal records show.
