WASHINGTON D.C. – Today government watchdog Accountable.US released an updated analysis showing that Fortune 500 companies and corporate trade associations donated over $1.6 million in August alone to those in Congress who voted against certifying the 2020 election in the immediate aftermath of the violent insurrection on January 6. Total donations from corporate interests since the violent coup attempt to the group that has been dubbed the “Sedition Caucus” now stand at $27.3 million. 

The staggering $1.6 million in contributions last month came even after explosive revelations from the January 6th Committee detailing how Trump and many of his backers in Congress directly incited the Capitol insurrection – and after a major national poll in July showing “fifty-seven percent of voters oppose corporations making campaign contributions to members of Congress who voted to overturn the election.”

August also saw $22,000 worth of contributions to the election objectors from five first-time donors including Allstate Insurance Company PAC and Mastercard International Inc. Employees’ PAC. 

Last month saw some of the most generous giving from corporate interests to the election objectors since the insurrection, flagrantly disregarding public demand that corporations stand up for democracy. Companies only jeopardize their own reputation when they write off their customers, employees, and shareholders that want to buy from, work for, or invest in a company that shares their democratic ideals. It’s clear many companies believe it is worth risking their bottom line just to curry favor with more politicians, no matter what they’ve done to undermine democracy. The sooner CEOs listen to consumers, the sooner they’ll recognize that using their power and influence to preserve democracy is in the best interest of their bottom lines and the overall economy."

Lindsey Melki, Accountable.US spokesperson

In August 2021, Accountable.US launched its searchable tracker that allows the public to search Fortune 500 corporations and big corporate trade associations that have contributed to those in Congress that voted against certifying the 2020 election since January of last year — including corporations that made pledges to halt or pause donations to the lawmakers that perpetuated the Big Lie. Accountable.US’ latest analysis follows the September 20, 2022, FEC deadline for monthly corporate PAC disclosures for contributions made in August of 2022.  

This new analysis also comes on the heels of the recent launch of Accountable.US’ American Democracy Scorecard – a living, public interactive resource that scores all Fortune 100 companies’ actions around critical democracy issues. In its initial review, Accountable.US found 66% of Fortune 100 companies received an F grade on their commitment to preserving democracy.

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