Brendan Fischer
@brendanfischer.bsky.social
Deputy Executive Director @documented.net. Previously at Campaign Legal Center. Wisconsinite.
Oh, the billionaire megadonor who keeps notching victories under Trump is the guy on the right.
It’s fair to ask: what else is Trump doing to serve his interests?
It’s fair to ask: what else is Trump doing to serve his interests?
July 30, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Oh, the billionaire megadonor who keeps notching victories under Trump is the guy on the right.
It’s fair to ask: what else is Trump doing to serve his interests?
It’s fair to ask: what else is Trump doing to serve his interests?
The other co-owner of Florida Crystals, Pepe’s brother Alfonso Fanjul, is a major Democratic donor.
He even had his name pop in the Monica Lewinsky scandal, as he pressured Clinton on sugar subsidies and taxes. fec.gov/data/receipt...
motherjones.com/politics/199...
He even had his name pop in the Monica Lewinsky scandal, as he pressured Clinton on sugar subsidies and taxes. fec.gov/data/receipt...
motherjones.com/politics/199...
July 30, 2025 at 11:52 PM
The other co-owner of Florida Crystals, Pepe’s brother Alfonso Fanjul, is a major Democratic donor.
He even had his name pop in the Monica Lewinsky scandal, as he pressured Clinton on sugar subsidies and taxes. fec.gov/data/receipt...
motherjones.com/politics/199...
He even had his name pop in the Monica Lewinsky scandal, as he pressured Clinton on sugar subsidies and taxes. fec.gov/data/receipt...
motherjones.com/politics/199...
Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” also boosted already-massive federal subsidies for sugar—a direct boon for Florida Sugar, but one that will cost both taxpayers and consumers.
July 30, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” also boosted already-massive federal subsidies for sugar—a direct boon for Florida Sugar, but one that will cost both taxpayers and consumers.
Trump’s push for Coca-Cola to replace high-fructose corn syrup with cane sugar apparently arose from a conversation with Fanjul. Shortly after, he publicly demanded Coca-Cola ditch corn syrup for cane sugar — which Florida Crystals produces.
July 30, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Trump’s push for Coca-Cola to replace high-fructose corn syrup with cane sugar apparently arose from a conversation with Fanjul. Shortly after, he publicly demanded Coca-Cola ditch corn syrup for cane sugar — which Florida Crystals produces.
Pepe Fanjul himself not only maxed-out to Trump’s 2024 joint fundraising committee, but also co-chaired one of Trump's major fundraising events.
July 30, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Pepe Fanjul himself not only maxed-out to Trump’s 2024 joint fundraising committee, but also co-chaired one of Trump's major fundraising events.
But Sinema’s security guard is reportedly a close personal friend, yahoo.com/news/kyrsten... and many expenditures test the limits, like payments for concert/event tickets, to apparel retailers like Faherty and Oakley, and to a chiropractic clinic for “Security Health Services.”
July 15, 2025 at 12:07 AM
But Sinema’s security guard is reportedly a close personal friend, yahoo.com/news/kyrsten... and many expenditures test the limits, like payments for concert/event tickets, to apparel retailers like Faherty and Oakley, and to a chiropractic clinic for “Security Health Services.”
As president, Trump now has a financial incentive to create trade barriers for foreign-made phones, which raises costs for competitors.
He is in a position to use U.S. trade policy to boost his business, potentially at the expense of American interests. 2/
He is in a position to use U.S. trade policy to boost his business, potentially at the expense of American interests. 2/
June 16, 2025 at 9:18 PM
As president, Trump now has a financial incentive to create trade barriers for foreign-made phones, which raises costs for competitors.
He is in a position to use U.S. trade policy to boost his business, potentially at the expense of American interests. 2/
He is in a position to use U.S. trade policy to boost his business, potentially at the expense of American interests. 2/
The “Trump Gold Card” would allow foreign nationals (including, say, Russian oligarchs) to pay $5 million to get a green card. www.axios.com/2025/06/12/t...
Once a person has a green card, they may legally make political contributions. From the FEC: www.fec.gov/help-candida...
Once a person has a green card, they may legally make political contributions. From the FEC: www.fec.gov/help-candida...
June 12, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The “Trump Gold Card” would allow foreign nationals (including, say, Russian oligarchs) to pay $5 million to get a green card. www.axios.com/2025/06/12/t...
Once a person has a green card, they may legally make political contributions. From the FEC: www.fec.gov/help-candida...
Once a person has a green card, they may legally make political contributions. From the FEC: www.fec.gov/help-candida...
One implication of Trump’s plan to sell green cards for $5 million is that it would allow foreign billionaires and oligarchs to start legally pouring money into U.S. elections (including into Trump’s political operation).
June 12, 2025 at 4:38 PM
One implication of Trump’s plan to sell green cards for $5 million is that it would allow foreign billionaires and oligarchs to start legally pouring money into U.S. elections (including into Trump’s political operation).
The White House now says that Elon Musk’s policy views are shaped by his financial interests.
So…where was that concern when they gave Musk sweeping influence over government policies that directly impacted his bottom line?
So…where was that concern when they gave Musk sweeping influence over government policies that directly impacted his bottom line?
June 4, 2025 at 2:16 PM
The White House now says that Elon Musk’s policy views are shaped by his financial interests.
So…where was that concern when they gave Musk sweeping influence over government policies that directly impacted his bottom line?
So…where was that concern when they gave Musk sweeping influence over government policies that directly impacted his bottom line?
The Elon Musk-backed, Trump-aligned dark money group Building America’s Future is behind the multi-million dollar “Make America Affordable Again” ad campaign pushing "lawsuit reform," FCC records show.
May 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The Elon Musk-backed, Trump-aligned dark money group Building America’s Future is behind the multi-million dollar “Make America Affordable Again” ad campaign pushing "lawsuit reform," FCC records show.
The fundraising appeals don't really tell Trump donors where their money is going.
The appeals are all about supporting Trump. They say nothing about Lawler, or the midterms, or down-ballot candidates. But the fine print says their donation is split between Lawler and Trump.
The appeals are all about supporting Trump. They say nothing about Lawler, or the midterms, or down-ballot candidates. But the fine print says their donation is split between Lawler and Trump.
May 21, 2025 at 2:43 AM
The fundraising appeals don't really tell Trump donors where their money is going.
The appeals are all about supporting Trump. They say nothing about Lawler, or the midterms, or down-ballot candidates. But the fine print says their donation is split between Lawler and Trump.
The appeals are all about supporting Trump. They say nothing about Lawler, or the midterms, or down-ballot candidates. But the fine print says their donation is split between Lawler and Trump.
Huh. As Trump pushes Rep. Lawler to "forget SALT" and vote for the GOP bill, Trump's latest fundraising appeals quietly route money to Lawler's campaign.
secure.winred.com/trump-nation...
secure.winred.com/trump-nation...
secure.winred.com/trump-nation...
secure.winred.com/trump-nation...
May 21, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Huh. As Trump pushes Rep. Lawler to "forget SALT" and vote for the GOP bill, Trump's latest fundraising appeals quietly route money to Lawler's campaign.
secure.winred.com/trump-nation...
secure.winred.com/trump-nation...
secure.winred.com/trump-nation...
secure.winred.com/trump-nation...
Wisconsin law states that the election bribery statute is violated when a person “Offers, gives, lends or promises to give or lend . . . anything of value . . . in order to induce any elector to . . . Vote or refrain from voting”
March 28, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Wisconsin law states that the election bribery statute is violated when a person “Offers, gives, lends or promises to give or lend . . . anything of value . . . in order to induce any elector to . . . Vote or refrain from voting”
Conditioning entry to this event and eligibility for the $1 million payout on whether someone has voted may violate Wisconsin law. The law prohibits offering or giving anything of value to induce a person to vote. Wis Stat 12.11.
March 28, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Conditioning entry to this event and eligibility for the $1 million payout on whether someone has voted may violate Wisconsin law. The law prohibits offering or giving anything of value to induce a person to vote. Wis Stat 12.11.
TPUSA leaders are explicit that they are working to elect Schimel, their literature endorses him, and their canvassing script appears to include express advocacy for his election.
Perhaps TPUSA asserts it is only engaging in "issue advocacy" that need not be reported, but that seems like a stretch.
Perhaps TPUSA asserts it is only engaging in "issue advocacy" that need not be reported, but that seems like a stretch.
March 27, 2025 at 1:58 AM
TPUSA leaders are explicit that they are working to elect Schimel, their literature endorses him, and their canvassing script appears to include express advocacy for his election.
Perhaps TPUSA asserts it is only engaging in "issue advocacy" that need not be reported, but that seems like a stretch.
Perhaps TPUSA asserts it is only engaging in "issue advocacy" that need not be reported, but that seems like a stretch.
TBH, I am puzzled about how Turning Point (TPUSA) can run a multi-million dollar paid canvassing effort for Schimel—and pay for a rally touting his candidacy—without reporting a penny to the WI Ethics Commission.
It raises the prospect that Turning Point is coordinating with the Schimel campaign.
It raises the prospect that Turning Point is coordinating with the Schimel campaign.
March 27, 2025 at 1:58 AM
TBH, I am puzzled about how Turning Point (TPUSA) can run a multi-million dollar paid canvassing effort for Schimel—and pay for a rally touting his candidacy—without reporting a penny to the WI Ethics Commission.
It raises the prospect that Turning Point is coordinating with the Schimel campaign.
It raises the prospect that Turning Point is coordinating with the Schimel campaign.
It is hardly the most consequential provision, but Trump’s new Executive Order directs DOJ to step-up enforcement of the ban on foreign political contributions…just after Trump’s DOJ dropped charges against Eric Adams for allegedly soliciting and accepting foreign political contributions.
March 26, 2025 at 2:59 AM
It is hardly the most consequential provision, but Trump’s new Executive Order directs DOJ to step-up enforcement of the ban on foreign political contributions…just after Trump’s DOJ dropped charges against Eric Adams for allegedly soliciting and accepting foreign political contributions.
Worth noting: Musk's 2024 petition tactic arguably violated federal law, which bars paying anybody to register to vote. nytimes.com/2024/10/20/u...
But the 2025 petition falls under WI law, whose election bribery statutes do not obviously prohibit payments for registration.
But the 2025 petition falls under WI law, whose election bribery statutes do not obviously prohibit payments for registration.
March 21, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Worth noting: Musk's 2024 petition tactic arguably violated federal law, which bars paying anybody to register to vote. nytimes.com/2024/10/20/u...
But the 2025 petition falls under WI law, whose election bribery statutes do not obviously prohibit payments for registration.
But the 2025 petition falls under WI law, whose election bribery statutes do not obviously prohibit payments for registration.
Elon Musk's super PAC re-upping its cash-for-registration tactic to obtain new voter data to influence the WI Supreme Court race. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/u...
But its paid canvassers are almost certainly drawing from the data Musk's PAC controversially (and arguably illegally) gathered in 2024.
But its paid canvassers are almost certainly drawing from the data Musk's PAC controversially (and arguably illegally) gathered in 2024.
March 21, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Elon Musk's super PAC re-upping its cash-for-registration tactic to obtain new voter data to influence the WI Supreme Court race. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/u...
But its paid canvassers are almost certainly drawing from the data Musk's PAC controversially (and arguably illegally) gathered in 2024.
But its paid canvassers are almost certainly drawing from the data Musk's PAC controversially (and arguably illegally) gathered in 2024.
Kelsey pled guilty to illegally routing funds through the American Conservative Union to benefit his 2016 Congressional run.
The federal investigation into Kelsey was launched during Trump’s first term, by Trump's DOJ—not the "weaponized Biden DOJ," as he claims. www.actionnews5.com/2021/10/26/t...
The federal investigation into Kelsey was launched during Trump’s first term, by Trump's DOJ—not the "weaponized Biden DOJ," as he claims. www.actionnews5.com/2021/10/26/t...
March 13, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Kelsey pled guilty to illegally routing funds through the American Conservative Union to benefit his 2016 Congressional run.
The federal investigation into Kelsey was launched during Trump’s first term, by Trump's DOJ—not the "weaponized Biden DOJ," as he claims. www.actionnews5.com/2021/10/26/t...
The federal investigation into Kelsey was launched during Trump’s first term, by Trump's DOJ—not the "weaponized Biden DOJ," as he claims. www.actionnews5.com/2021/10/26/t...
Musk is not pouring $10M+ into this race because he is committed to judicial independence and the rule of law. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/01/u...
Instead, he likely wants a court that will stack the deck for future elections and boost his business interests. contrarian.substack.com/p/elon-musk-...
Instead, he likely wants a court that will stack the deck for future elections and boost his business interests. contrarian.substack.com/p/elon-musk-...
March 11, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Musk is not pouring $10M+ into this race because he is committed to judicial independence and the rule of law. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/01/u...
Instead, he likely wants a court that will stack the deck for future elections and boost his business interests. contrarian.substack.com/p/elon-musk-...
Instead, he likely wants a court that will stack the deck for future elections and boost his business interests. contrarian.substack.com/p/elon-musk-...
Elon Musk's political operation has now poured over $10 million into the Wisconsin Supreme Court race.
Musk's America PAC has spent $6.1M on canvassing, mailers, texts, and digital ads. Musk's dark money group, Building America's Future, has spent $4M on ads.
Musk's America PAC has spent $6.1M on canvassing, mailers, texts, and digital ads. Musk's dark money group, Building America's Future, has spent $4M on ads.
March 11, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Elon Musk's political operation has now poured over $10 million into the Wisconsin Supreme Court race.
Musk's America PAC has spent $6.1M on canvassing, mailers, texts, and digital ads. Musk's dark money group, Building America's Future, has spent $4M on ads.
Musk's America PAC has spent $6.1M on canvassing, mailers, texts, and digital ads. Musk's dark money group, Building America's Future, has spent $4M on ads.
Elon Musk's America PAC has now spent over $3.2 million on paid canvassers and ads in support of Wisconsin's right-wing Supreme Court candidate.
That's on top of the $2 million that a Musk-backed dark money group has spent on ads and mailers.
Has Elon Musk ever set foot inside Wisconsin?
That's on top of the $2 million that a Musk-backed dark money group has spent on ads and mailers.
Has Elon Musk ever set foot inside Wisconsin?
March 1, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Elon Musk's America PAC has now spent over $3.2 million on paid canvassers and ads in support of Wisconsin's right-wing Supreme Court candidate.
That's on top of the $2 million that a Musk-backed dark money group has spent on ads and mailers.
Has Elon Musk ever set foot inside Wisconsin?
That's on top of the $2 million that a Musk-backed dark money group has spent on ads and mailers.
Has Elon Musk ever set foot inside Wisconsin?
Americans for Prosperity, the group backed by the billionaire Koch family, has spent at least $1.4 million on canvassing and ads in the WI Supreme Court race.
February 21, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Americans for Prosperity, the group backed by the billionaire Koch family, has spent at least $1.4 million on canvassing and ads in the WI Supreme Court race.