RFK Jr.’s Super-PAC Received Most Of Its Funding From GOP Megadonor

Forbes Business Breaking RFK Jr. ’s Super-PAC Received Most Of Its Funding From GOP Megadonor Antonio Pequeño IV Forbes Staff I cover breaking news. Following Jul 31, 2023, 08:13pm EDT | Press play to listen to this article! Got it! Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline A super-PAC backing Democratic presidential candidate Robert F.

Kennedy Jr. reported Monday a $5 million donation from Trump donor Timothy Mellon—marking another GOP supporter backing a presidential campaign characterized by misinformation and conspiracy theories. Democratic presidential candidate Robert F.

Kennedy Jr. has received a high level of support from . .

. [+] GOP donors. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Getty Images Key Facts The RFK Jr.

-supporting super-PAC American Values 2024 reported it raised $9. 8 million through the end of June and received a $5 million donation from Mellon, accounting for more than half of the super-PAC’s fundraising during the first half of the year. The donation from Mellon was provided in April, not long before Kennedy officially launched his presidential campaign.

Mellon touted RFK Jr. in a statement reported by Politico on Monday in which he lauded Kennedy Jr. ’s “bipartisan support” and said the longshot presidential candidate could “root out corruption” and “unite the country.

” Mellon’s donation was followed closely by one from security consultant Gavin De Becker—who provided RFK Jr. ’s super-PAC with $4. 5 million in late June, and has a history of funding both Republicans and Democrats.

In July, RFK Jr. ’s super PAC raised $6. 47 million from both sides of the aisle.

Tangent RFK Jr. is polling far below President Joe Biden, according to FiveThirtyEight’s Democratic primary poll , which marked Kennedy’s polling average at 14. 9% as of July 27, second behind Biden’s 65.

1%. Key Background Mellon’s family wealth was estimated to be worth $11. 5 billion in late 2020, and the family boasts one of America’s oldest continuing fortunes, dating back to 1841.

His ancestors built the family’s wealth up through real estate, banking, venture capital and oil, whileMellon is the founder of a rail and freight company. Last year, the Texas Tribune reported he donated $53. 1 million to Republican Texas Gov.

Greg Abbott’s border wall fund, making up nearly 98% of the fund’s private donations. Mellon is backing a presidential campaign by RFK Jr. that has been riddled with criticism over the candidate’s misinformation and conspiracy theories regarding matters such as Covid-19, vaccines and elections.

One of RFK Jr. ’s most absurd claims in his campaign thus far alleged that Covid-19 targeted caucasians and Black people, adding “the people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese,” in a video published by the New York Post. Further Reading RFK Jr.

’s Family Denounces Claim That Jews, Chinese Are Immune To Covid: Here Are All The Other Conspiracies He Promotes ( Forbes ) Scion Of Billionaire Mellon Family Has Paid For Most Of Texas Governor’s Border Wall Fund ( Forbes ) Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn . Send me a secure tip . Antonio Pequeño IV Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.