A surprising alliance has emerged in the 2024 election, uniting Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump under the banner of a shared billionaire megadonor. Timothy Mellon, the reclusive heir to the Mellon banking fortune, has poured over $165 million into the current election cycle, making him the top individual donor to both Trump and Kennedy. This financial backing from Mellon not only underscores the increasing influence of ultra-wealthy individuals in American politics but also raises critical questions about the integrity of democratic processes and the future of political campaigns in the United States.
Timothy Mellon, grandson of the Gilded Age plutocrat Andrew Mellon, is a figure who has largely stayed out of the public eye despite his vast wealth and political influence. Mellon’s fortune, derived from his family’s banking empire, has allowed him to become a significant player in U.S. politics, particularly in the 2024 election. His contributions are notable not just for their size but also for the strategic impact they have on the campaigns of both Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., once known for his environmental activism, has seen his political career take a sharp turn in recent years. Initially running as a Democrat, Kennedy’s shift to an Independent campaign, and his eventual endorsement of Trump, surprised many, including members of his own family. His campaign has been marred by controversy, including his association with anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and his downplaying of the climate crisis. Despite these issues, Mellon’s financial support has kept Kennedy’s campaign afloat, culminating in his decision to back Trump.
Donald Trump, a figure who needs little introduction, continues to dominate the Republican field in the 2024 election. Trump’s campaign, however, has faced significant legal and financial challenges, making Mellon’s contributions crucial. With $125 million donated to pro-Trump super PACs, Mellon’s financial support has been a lifeline for Trump, especially following his felony convictions.
Mellon’s financial influence is perhaps most visible in the sheer scale of his contributions. To date, Mellon has donated $125 million to pro-Trump super PACs, including a $50 million infusion in July 2024. This particular donation, made the day after Trump was convicted of 34 felonies, represents over 90% of what the Make America Great Again, Inc. super PAC raised that month. This funding has played a pivotal role in sustaining Trump’s campaign amidst ongoing legal battles and a shifting political landscape.
Kennedy’s campaign has also benefited significantly from Mellon’s largesse. Earlier in the election cycle, Mellon contributed $25 million to Kennedy’s hybrid PAC, American Values 2024. This donation, combined with Kennedy’s public praise of Mellon as a “maverick entrepreneur,” highlights the close relationship between the two and suggests that Kennedy’s campaign was always aligned with the interests of right-wing billionaires like Mellon.
Mellon’s role as a “guardian angel” in political finance—a term used to describe major donors who supply 40% or more of a committee’s funds—cannot be understated. His contributions have shaped the narratives and viability of both Trump and Kennedy’s campaigns, making him a key player in the 2024 election. The influence of such “guardian angels” is a direct consequence of the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling, which opened the floodgates for unlimited political spending by wealthy individuals and corporations.
The outsized influence of billionaires like Mellon on political campaigns has profound implications for American democracy. In his primetime speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Senator Bernie Sanders condemned the role of billionaire “oligarchs” in U.S. elections. Sanders argued that the ability of billionaires to buy elections erodes public trust and distorts the democratic process. He called for the overturning of Citizens United and advocated for public funding of elections as a way to curb the influence of money in politics.
Mellon’s financial backing of both Trump and Kennedy illustrates the growing polarization in American politics, where the interests of the ultra-wealthy often overshadow those of ordinary citizens. As the primary financier behind two seemingly divergent campaigns, Mellon’s donations have the potential to shape policy outcomes that serve the interests of the rich while ignoring the needs of the public.
The response to Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump has been swift and critical. His own siblings, part of the iconic Democratic political family, released a joint statement denouncing his decision as a “betrayal” of the values their family holds dear. Progressive groups, including the Working Families Party, have also condemned the endorsement, framing it as a desperate attempt by Kennedy to remain relevant in a race where his support had dwindled.
Kennedy’s decision to endorse Trump marks a significant turning point in his political career. Speaking at a rally in Arizona, Kennedy justified his endorsement by citing his commitment to free speech, the war in Ukraine, and what he described as the “war on our children.” However, many observers see this move as the culmination of a campaign designed to serve as a spoiler, diverting votes away from more progressive candidates and bolstering Trump’s chances in November.
Progressive organizations have been vocal in their criticism of Kennedy’s endorsement. Maurice Mitchell, national director of the Working Families Party, described the endorsement as revealing “the egomania and rot at the core of RFK Jr.’s candidacy.” Mitchell’s feelings are shared by progressives that Kennedy’s campaign, propped up by right-wing billionaires like Mellon, was never about advancing a genuine political alternative but rather about serving the interests of the wealthy elite.
As Bernie Sanders stated, “Billionaires in both parties should not be able to buy elections. For the sake of our democracy, we must overturn the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision and move toward public funding of elections.”
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