In the largest known political advocacy donation in U.S. history, industrialist Barre Seid funded a new group run by Federalist Society co-chair Leonard Leo, who guided Trump’s Supreme Court picks and helped end federal abortion rights.
By Andrew Perez, The Lever, and Andy Kroll and Justin Elliott, ProPublica
An elderly, ultra-secretive Chicago businessman has given the largest known donation to a political advocacy group in U.S. history — worth $1.6 billion — and the recipient is one of the prime architects of conservatives’ efforts to reshape the American judicial system, including the Supreme Court.
Through a series of opaque transactions over the past two years, Barre Seid, a 90-year-old manufacturing magnate, gave the massive sum to a nonprofit run by Leonard Leo, who co-chairs the conservative legal group the Federalist Society.
Recent Posts
It’s Possible to End Corporate Influence in Politics
Take Action Now There’s more money in politics than ever. But some state governments are finding ways to fight back.By Sonali Kolhatkar,…
Democrats are at a Huge Crossroads in California Governor’s Race
Take Action Now If Tom Steyer wins, that could send positive shock waves through the Democratic partyBy Norman Solomon, The Guardian The next…
Building a Democratic Party to Save our Democracy
Take Action Now DNC’s hide-and-seek with the 2024 autopsy is emblematic of systemic problemsBy Lora Lucero, Lora’s Substack When the…
Britain Bans Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur for Opposing Genocide
Take Action Now Britain welcomes apologists for genocide – and bars those who oppose itBy Owen Jones, BattleLines Britain’s banning of the…