How much influence exactly do billionaires have over who gets to Washington and what's done there. Turns out quite a bit. According to an analysis done by the Washington Post, the 100 just 100 wealthiest Americans spent $1 billion in federal election donations in 2024.It's like a wedding party spending $1 billion on the bar. One out of every $13 spent comes from just those 100 people. And the vast majority of all of that money, all of that spending, 80% of it is going to just one political party, the Republ ...

Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States. >> What happens when political donations and presidential power collide. We pulled over thousands of public records to find out.And our analysis revealed this. At least 30 individuals or companies who have collectively given more than $116 million to Donald Trump's causes have gone on to receive benefits or advantages from the White House or government departments and regulators. Sometimes the timing was remarkable.Donations came in and within days o ...

Group 1: Uber's Expansion - Uber is set to expand its transportation offerings by integrating helicopter and seaplane bookings into its app, expected to launch as early as next year [2] - This initiative is a result of a partnership with Joby Aviation, which recently acquired Blade Air Mobility for $125 million, aiming to enhance urban air mobility options [2] - Blade currently offers flights between Manhattan and New York's major airports for $195, although specific launch locations and pricing for the broader service remain undisclosed [2] Group 2: Political Donations by Indian-Americans - A study reveals that Indian-Americans overwhelmingly favor Democratic candidates, contributing nearly three times more to their campaigns than to Republicans [3] - During the 2020 presidential election cycle, Indian-Americans donated $46.6 million to Democratic candidates compared to $16.3 million to Republican candidates [3] - Contributions are concentrated in sectors such as technology, finance, healthcare, and academia, highlighting the political influence of this demographic [3] Group 3: Government Efficiency Critique - Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick criticized Elon Musk's approach at the Department of Government Efficiency, stating that Musk focused on mass layoffs rather than eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse [4] - Musk's tenure reportedly fell short of its trillion-dollar savings goals, emphasizing the need for more strategic government-cutting efforts [4] Group 4: Economic Warnings for the UK - Economists warn that higher taxes may be necessary for the UK to meet fiscal rules, as public sector net borrowing rose to £151.9 billion, £14.6 billion higher than forecast [6] - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reduced the UK's economic growth forecast to 1.1% for this year and increased inflation expectations to 3.1% [6] - Concerns are exacerbated by the potential impact of Donald Trump's tariff wars, which could negatively affect the UK economy and global trade [6]

Labour Call to Ban Crypto Political Donations an ‘Attack’, Says Reform UK► https://t.co/rb0laA5rlh https://t.co/rb0laA5rlh ...

Core Viewpoint - Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, announced plans to significantly reduce political donations in the future, indicating a shift from his previous support for Donald Trump and Republican candidates [1][2]. Political Spending - Musk stated he intends to spend "a lot less" on political donations moving forward, having previously contributed over $250 million to support Trump's campaign for a second term [1][2]. - He expressed that he believes he has "done enough" in terms of political spending, although he left the door open for future contributions if he sees a reason to do so [2]. Impact on Republican Candidates - Musk's announcement may negatively affect Republican candidates running for reelection in 2026, as he has been a significant financial backer in past elections [3]. - In addition to his Trump-related donations, Musk contributed over $19 million in the final weeks of the 2024 election cycle to help Republicans secure narrow majorities in Congress [3]. Specific Contributions - Musk's super political action committee, America PAC, was a major spender in the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election, reportedly spending more than $13 million to support his preferred candidate, who ultimately lost [4].