Trump Launches Attack on Democratic Fundraising Platforms
U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Justice to investigate a key fundraising platform used by the Democratic opposition, which in turn accused him of abusing his power for political gain.
The Republican president signed a document directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to probe allegations concerning foreign donations and other illegal contributions to fundraising platforms, including ActBlue, which Democrats use to raise money online specifically for election campaigns.
Trump stated that the investigation should focus on the use of “fundraising platforms to make false contributions and to provide contributions from abroad to candidates and American political committees, which is against the law.” He specifically mentioned ActBlue.
Elon Musk, a close Trump advisor, has repeatedly attacked this organization, accusing it of fraud without providing any evidence. Such an investigation could hinder Democrats’ ability to compete in next year’s midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress until the end of Trump’s second term.
Financial contributions from donors giving money on behalf of others, as well as foreign contributions to political candidates, are against U.S. law. On April 2, three committees in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives released a report discussing “widespread fraud, including from foreign sources” through ActBlue.
Democrats, including Senator Ruben Gallego from Arizona, quickly urged their supporters to donate “as long as possible,” while others took to social media to accuse Trump of abusing his position.
Democratic strategist Mike Nellis, a former advisor to 2024 presidential candidate Kamala Harris, wrote on X, “His popularity is collapsing and he’s panicking at the thought of midterm elections.”
