{"id":2402987,"date":"2025-02-15T11:09:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-15T16:09:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/foreign-dark-money-flooded-2024-election-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-02-15T11:11:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-15T16:11:23","slug":"foreign-dark-money-flooded-2024-election-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/foreign-dark-money-flooded-2024-election-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Foreign dark money flooded 2024 election &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fforeign-dark-money-flooded-2024-election-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2402987&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A\u2063 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/overwhelming-number-of-districts-score-well-in-education-grades-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Overwhelming number of districts score well in education grades - Washington Examiner\">recent \u2064report reveals<\/a> that the Berger Action Fund,\u200b a public advocacy \u2062group funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg wyss, has\u2062 contributed over $34 million \u200bto\u200b the Sixteen\u200b Thirty Fund, a significant player in \u2064left-leaning political\u2062 finance, between \u200bApril\u200b 2023\u200c and March 2024.\u200c This association is accused of facilitating foreign influence in U.S. elections\u2014a practice\u2064 banned \u2062for direct contributions to \u2064candidates. rather, funds can be funneled to 501(c)(4) entities like \u200bthe Sixteen \u200dThirty Fund, \u2062which \u200dcan engage \u2063in substantial campaigning for or against ballot measures. Wyss&#8217;s contributions accounted for a notable portion of the Sixteen Thirty Fund&#8217;s revenue, which has been \u2062used to support various liberal organizations and campaigns across\u200c several states. Despite a decrease in \u2062funding \u2064from the previous year, the Berger Action Fund remains\u200d financially robust, \u200cunderscoring ongoing\u200d concerns over foreign money&#8217;s\u200b impact on American political processes.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Foreign-funded dark money org pumped millions into left-wing groups during 2024 elections<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1910534\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A shadowy organization that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Republicans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Republicans<\/a> have long accused of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/flashback-letitia-james-said-she-would-remove-trump-from-office-during-campaign-for-new-york-ag\/\" title=\"Flashback: Letitia James pledged to oust Trump as NY AG\">laundering foreign money<\/a> into the American electoral system poured tens of millions of dollars into liberal groups during the 2024 election, new tax filings show.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The Berger Action Fund, a public advocacy group founded by Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss, transferred $34.4 million to the Sixteen Thirty Fund between April 2023 and March 2024, alongside tens of millions more to other left-wing activists, nonprofit disclosures first shared with <em>Politico<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/politicoinfluence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">show<\/a>. Conservative activists have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/3265218\/billionaire-hansjorg-wyss-gop-foreign-influence-loophole-fight\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"accused\">accused<\/a> Wyss of using the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">major leftwing dark money group<\/a>, as a vehicle to influence American policy with his foreign wealth through a loophole in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/google-expands-security-efforts-ahead-of-2022-elections\/\" title=\"Google Expands Security Efforts Ahead of 2022 Elections\">campaign finance law<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3292730\/all-executive-orders-actions-trump-first-day\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FULL LIST OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS, ACTIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS TRUMP HAS MADE AS PRESIDENT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While foreigners cannot spend money directly on elections by supporting candidates or funding PACs, in many states they can pass money to 501(c)(4) groups like the Sixteen Thirty Fund which can then run campaigns for or against ballot measures. This effectively provides foreigners with an opening to influence policy at the state level.&nbsp;Some states, such as Ohio, have taken action to make arrangements like this illegal.<\/p>\n<p>Wyss was <a href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2024\/04\/25\/dark-money-dems-foreign-billionaire\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">responsible <\/a>for roughly one-sixth of the Sixteen Thirty Fund&rsquo;s revenue between 2019 and 2022, contributing a total of $143 million across those four years. As of December 2024, Sixteen Thirty Fund had spent about $130 million on ballot measures in 25 states, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolicy.com\/articles\/2024\/12\/24\/close_the_loophole_thats_allowing_foreign_nationals_to_influence_our_elections_1080663.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">according <\/a>to <em>RealClearPolicy<\/em>. Democratic PACs also count on the Sixteen Thirty Fund for revenue, disclosing over $20 million from the 501(c)(4) during the 2024 election cycle.<\/p>\n<p>Marnee Banks, a spokeswoman for Berger Action Fund, told <em>Politico <\/em>that the organization &ldquo;prohibits its grants from being used to support or oppose political candidates or parties or otherwise engage in electoral activities&rdquo; and insisted that it supports efforts to improve political transparency.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/3265218\/billionaire-hansjorg-wyss-gop-foreign-influence-loophole-fight\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"BILLIONAIRE HANSJ&Ouml;RG WYSS AT CENTER OF GOP&rsquo;S FOREIGN INFLUENCE &lsquo;LOOPHOLE&rsquo; FIGHT\"><strong>BILLIONAIRE HANSJ&Ouml;RG WYSS AT CENTER OF GOP&rsquo;S FOREIGN INFLUENCE &lsquo;LOOPHOLE&rsquo; FIGHT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">NEW YORK, NY &ndash; APRIL 01: (L-R) Hansjorg Wyss, Michael Bloomberg and Sam Waterston attend Oceana&rsquo;s 2015 New York City benefit at Four Seasons Restaurant on April 1, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt\/Getty Images for Oceana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Berger Action Fund&rsquo;s contribution to the Sixteen Thirty Fund represents a significant decline from its previous tax year, where it donated $42.5 million. Its overall grantmaking dropped by 7%, reported no inbound donations, and saw roughly $13 million in capital gains losses. Despite the lackluster financial year, the fund maintains a massive hoard of assets valued at $232 million.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Other left-of-center groups that raked in cash from the foreign billionaire-linked nonprofit organization included Fund For A Better Future, Climate Power, League of Conservation Voters, Our American Future Action, the American Civil Liberties Union, Animal Wellness Action, and the Indivisible Project. <\/p>\n<p>Some groups funded by Wyss&rsquo;s group directly involve themselves in electoral politics, whereas others adopt more indirect roles by criticizing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Trump-administration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Trump administration<\/a> and Republicans more broadly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1910534\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1910534\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Foreign-funded dark money group invested millions in left-wing organizations during the 2024 elections<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":894,"featured_media":2402988,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/hansjorg-wyss-profile-image.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[32431,33926,50441,37194,32076],"class_list":["post-2402987","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-2024-election","tag-campaign-finance","tag-foreign-dark-money","tag-political-influence","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/hansjorg-wyss-profile-image.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2402987","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/894"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2402987"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2402987\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2402991,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2402987\/revisions\/2402991"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2402988"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2402987"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2402987"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2402987"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}