None of us are surprised when we find out that major companies push woke policy. In recent years, major brands have suffered as customers boycotted their products. Conservative-backed boycotts have hit companies hard after they came out pushing far-left ideology.
These days, brands have to be careful how “woke” they want to go. Because more than a few Americans might shut them down.
Most consumers might know outdoor brand Patagonia has a long history of pushing environmental policies. But it seems like this company was doing much more than spreading “green” ideas. According to a new complaint, it was trying to funnel money to Democrat PACs. Without the government knowing!
From Fox News:
Watchdog group Americans for Public Trust (APT) has filed a campaign finance complaint against outdoor clothing company Patagonia’s tax-exempt arm for allegedly misrepresenting donations…Federal elections filings analyzed by APT and reviewed by Fox News Digital show that in late 2022 the so-called Holdfast Collective donated $100,000 to the Senate Majority PAC, which is devoted to electing Democrats to the Senate; $50,000 to the Jane Fonda Climate PAC, which gives solely to left-wing campaigns; and $25,000 to the Galeo Impact Fund PAC, which donated only to Democrat Georgia Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff.
A new complaint accuses outdoor brand Patagonia of trying to hide donations to Democrat groups. A collective of climate, tax-exempt groups hold 98% of the company’s nonvoting shares. This group donated tens of thousands of dollars to Democrats in 2022.
But the complaint claims the group tried to misrepresent the donations. It appears the for-profit company Patagonia was masking a “network of nonprofit organizations” so they could, as the complaint states, “quietly influence [the U.S.] political system.”
Democrats frequently complain about “dark money” that controls U.S. politics. Dark money is when political groups receive money through various channels, which hide the original donor. Voters rarely find out who is behind these donations, and who might be influencing elected officials.
Patagonia is claiming the misidentification is due to “an error” made by the recipient political committee. So, it seems they are blaming Democrats for the error when its groups did the actual donating.
The company is known for aggressively pushing environmental policy. Given Biden and Democrats outsized push to “green” initiatives, voters might be worried that Patagonia has a bigger voice in Congress than the American public.
Key Takeaways:
- A complaint accuses clothing brand Patagonia of secretly donating to Democrat groups.
- The company might have masked large contributions from non-profit environmental groups.
- The money went to Super PACs that seek to get Democrats elected to Congress.
Source: Fox Business
