Mega-Donor Behind Clarence Thomas Gifts Funnels Cash to Cornel West Campaign

GOP Donor Behind Thomas Gifts Maxes Out to Cornel West Campaign

Progressive activist and independent presidential candidate Cornel West received the maximum campaign donation of $3,300 from Republican megadonor Harlan Crow, according to recent Federal Election Commission filings. Crow is a controversial figure due to his connections with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, to whom he has allegedly given undisclosed gifts for many years.
West defended accepting Crow's contribution, highlighting that he accepts donations that don't have strings attached from PACs or corporate interest groups. Despite their ideologically opposing political views, Crow has described West as 'a good friend'.
The donation and Crow's support has fuelled speculation that West's candidacy might be a conservative-backed strategy to draw votes away from President Joe Biden in the forthcoming election. Critics argue that this could ultimately favor Donald Trump if he chooses to run for president again.
West's campaign has faced criticism from Democrats, who are worried that his independent candidacy might draw liberal votes away from Biden during the presidential election. However, West maintains that the US two-party system is an 'impediment for the flowering of American democracy.'
Donations from conservative donors like Crow to ostensibly liberal candidates are not isolated to West. Robert F Kennedy Jr., another independent candidate formerly affiliated with the Democrats, has also garnered financial support from right-wing donors.