The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Oct. 22, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Money-in-Politics watchdog Open Secrets reports that online advertising and a website popped up in early October, pretending to be pro-Harris political action committee. It’s actually backed by a pro-Trump dark money group, which has raised and spent over $100 Million dollars in the last four years, funded in part by Elon Musk.
Using the name “Progress 2028,” dark money group Building America’s Future began pumping money into social media and digital ads in early October. The ads and website list distorted policy positions for Harris, such as, “Expanding Medicaid to Undocumented Immigrants,” and “A national, mandatory buy-back program means fewer guns & fewer tragedies.”
Open Secrets reports that Building America’s Future was linked to another euphemistically-named group, Citizens for Sanity, attempting to peel off Black men and Muslims from the Democratic Party through issue ads, and by supporting third party candidates. Musk earlier gave $50 million dollars to support that effort, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Under current campaign finance rules, weakened by the U.S. Supreme Court, Building America’s Future doesn’t have to report most of these recent expenditures until after the election, and won’t be required to disclose the donors.
We’ve linked to the Open Secrets story and all of its supporting research at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Open Secrets – Pro-Trump dark money network tied to Elon Musk behind fake pro-Harris campaign scheme
New York Times – (Possible paywall) Republican Operatives Function as Hidden Hand Behind Pro-Trump Efforts
Open Secrets – Corporate “Ficticious Name” registration for “Progress 2028”
“Progress 2028” – Website, purportedly supporting Kamala Harris
Groups Taking Action:
End Citizens United, Issue One, Public Citizen
Check Your Voter Registration:
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
- USA Vote Foundation – Registration, Eligibility, State Election Office Links
- Vote.Gov – Register to Vote in Your State
- Vote.Org – Check Your Registration to Vote
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