Timothy Mellon’s $5 Million Contribution to American Values 2024 Highlights Bipartisan Support for Kennedy
In a surprising turn of events, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., son of the late New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, has embarked on a journey to secure the Democratic presidential nomination. However, his campaign has raised eyebrows due to its financial backing from an unexpected source – a major Republican donor.
According to records filed with the Federal Election Commission, Timothy Mellon, the head of a prominent transportation holding company and the grandson of former Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon, made a substantial contribution of $5 million to American Values 2024 in April. This super political action committee (PAC) has been fervently supporting Kennedy’s bid for the nomination. Moreover, Mellon, who has previously donated tens of millions to super PACs associated with former President Donald Trump and GOP congressional leaders, chose to lend his support to Kennedy.
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Although Mellon’s donation has raised eyebrows, it is not without controversy. In a book published in 2015, Mellon expressed conservative views and controversially referred to social safety net programs as “Slavery Redux.” He further argued that government efforts to alleviate poverty and address racism in the 1960s and 1970s had the unintended consequence of making Black people “even more belligerent.”
The unexpected support Kennedy has garnered from Republican donors has significantly influenced his campaign. While running against President Joe Biden in the Democratic primary, Kennedy has become somewhat of a figurehead for those on the right who view him as a valuable tool to create divisions within the Democratic Party. Prominent GOP presidential candidates, such as Trump, have publicly praised Kennedy and encouraged him to continue challenging Biden. Trump even went as far as calling Kennedy a “common-sense guy” and urged him to “hang in” the race. Similarly, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed his support by suggesting Kennedy should investigate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration’s roles during the COVID-19 pandemic and the approval of vaccines.
American Values 2024, the super PAC supporting Kennedy, has been quick to tout Mellon’s contribution as a symbol of “bipartisan support” that showcases Kennedy’s ability to unite the country. Mellon’s donation is not the only significant contribution the PAC has received. The second-largest donor, Gavin de Becker, a renowned security consultant known for his work with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has contributed an impressive $4.5 million to the cause.
Additional substantial donations have also come from other notable figures. Skyhorse Publishing, a company owned by Tony Lyons, co-founder of American Values 2024, has contributed over $150,000 to Kennedy’s campaign. Furthermore, environmental activist Abby Rockefeller, the great-granddaughter of Standard Oil founder John D. Rockefeller, has donated $100,000 to support Kennedy’s bid for the nomination.
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These significant contributions raise several questions about the alliances being forged and the dynamics at play in Kennedy’s campaign. As the Democratic primary continues, it remains to be seen how these financial backers will influence the trajectory of Kennedy’s candidacy and its impact on the political landscape.
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