Trump’s 2024 Bid Funded by Controversial Figures He Pardoned
- Donald Trump granted 238 clemency orders during his presidency, with recipients including Joe Arpaio, I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, and Bernard Kerik. His pardons and commutations were often criticized for focusing on white-collar offenders and individuals with strong donor connections.
- The Washington Post found that several individuals pardoned or commuted by Trump are now strong supporters of his 2024 presidential bid, offering endorsements, campaign donations, and echoing false claims about the 2020 election. A total of 26 clemency recipients or their immediate family members have donated almost $1.8 million to Trump’s campaign or associated political action committees.
- Particularly notable supporters include Charles Kushner, who donated $1 million to a pro-Trump super PAC, and Bernard Kerik, Dinesh D’Souza, Steve Bannon, and Roger Stone, all of whom received presidential pardons or had their sentences commuted by Trump and have since amplified his false claims about the 2020 election.
Trump’s Clemency Beneficiaries Backing His 2024 Bid
Donald Trump, during his one-term presidency, issued 238 clemency orders, including several controversially to high-profile figures like former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, attorney I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, and ex-NYPD commissioner Bernard Kerik.These raised eyebrows for their focus on white-collar offense convicts and individuals with connections to influential donors.
A Washington Post analysis found that many of these recipients now vocally support Trump’s potential 2024 White House bid, donating to his campaign or echoing his false claims about the 2020 election result.
Arpaio, who was pardoned for criminal contempt in 2017, is now running for the mayor of Fountain Hills, Arizona, in the 2024 elections, all the while ardently supporting Trump.
Despite favoring pardons over commutations, Trump believes “the power to pardon is a beautiful thing,” enabling him to correct perceived injustices. Trump’s clemency orders were predominantly pardons, according to Pew Research.
The Post found that 26 clemency recipients or their immediate family members have given almost $1.8 million to Trump’s campaign or a pro-Trump political action committee. Charles Kushner, father of presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner and a recipient of a Trump pardon, is a significant contributor, having donated $1 million to the pro-Trump “Make America Great Again Inc.” super PAC.
Several individuals in Trump’s circle, like Bernard Kerik, Dinesh D’Souza, Steve Bannon, and Roger Stone, have amplified his false election claims, with all except Stone receiving presidential pardons.
Trump’s spokesman, Steven Cheung, maintains that all clemency orders underwent a rigorous vetting process considering individual circumstances.
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