Corporate political donations shatter record at US$646mil so far for US midterms
Corporate campaign donations had already exceeded the entire 2024 presidential cycle by 40%, with crypto, online betting and AI firms contributing US$344 million, more than half the total.
The United States witnessed a record-breaking US$646 million in corporate political donations during the 18 months leading up to June 2025, according to data from watchdog group Public Citizen. This figure represents a 40% increase compared to the total spent during the entire 2024 presidential election cycle. The surge in corporate donations is attributed to various industries, including manufacturing conglomerates, online sports betting companies, Big Tobacco, cannabis companies, and crypto entrepreneurs.
These entities primarily contributed to Republican candidates, with notable donations coming from Koch Inc., Reynolds American, Curaleaf and Trulieve, and the crypto Winklevoss twins' Gemini Trust Co. Campaign finance watchdogs argue that the surge in corporate spending allows niche interests to exert disproportionate influence on politics, while First Amendment advocates maintain it is necessary to protect free speech rights in a democracy.
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- Corporate political donations shatter record at US$646mil so far for US midterms freemalaysiatoday.com
