Major donor Andrew Mellon gives $5 million more to RFK Jr Super PAC following Trump support
In April, a super PAC backing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign received a $5 million donation from Timothy Mellon, continuing his support for the independent candidate. This latest contribution adds to the $20 million Mellon has already given to the Kennedy-supporting American Values 2024.
As of the end of April, American Values 2024 had $20.85 million in cash on hand, according to the Federal Election Commission filing. Mellon, a supporter of Republican candidate Donald Trump in recent years, has also contributed millions to pro-Trump super PACs.
Efforts to reach Mellon for comment were unsuccessful. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll suggests Kennedy could draw about 13% of the national vote in a three-way race with President Joe Biden and Trump, attracting former supporters of both parties.
The DNC claims Mellon’s donations to the RFK super PAC are aimed at diminishing support for Biden and benefiting Trump, but American Values 2024 denies these allegations. The super PAC’s co-chair, Tony Lyons, believes Kennedy has the potential to overcome challenges and emerge victorious.
Trump has criticized Kennedy, calling him a “Democrat ‘Plant'” and “a Radical Left Liberal” on his social media platform Truth Social. Kennedy’s campaign has also received significant financial support from his vice presidential pick, Nicole Shanahan, a tech lawyer from California.
Shanahan, who was previously married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin, contributed $8 million to Kennedy’s campaign in April and $4 million to American Values 2024 in the past.
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