Title: Rep. George Santos Faces Scrutiny Over Campaign Donations with Ties to Chinese Financier
In a recent investigation conducted by The Daily Beast, it has been revealed that Rep. George Santos (R-NY) has received a substantial amount of campaign donations from new maximum donors who have ties to Chinese right-wing financier, Guo Wengui. The report suggests a potential connection between these donors and a group called the New Federal State of China (NFSC), which Guo established alongside ally Steve Bannon.
Independent investigative outlet, Hark Herald Press, delved deeper into the matter and discovered that these donors had never contributed to any federal candidate previously, making their sudden support of Santos intriguing. A closer examination found evidence linking some of these donors directly to Guo, such as their appointment to the board of directors at an NFSC affiliate or their public admiration for Guo on social media platforms.
A significant portion of Santos’ campaign funds originated from these contributions, with most donations pouring in within a few days. The campaign initially misreported the donations, later rectifying the situation by updating the filing to include even more contributions. This development aroused suspicion and raised questions about the legitimacy of the funds.
Attempts by The Daily Beast to contact these contributors proved challenging. They were only able to speak with one donor who confirmed that their donation was specifically influenced by Santos’ support for Guo. Further connections between these donors and Guo were revealed by Mother Jones, including the distribution of a donation collection list aimed at supporting Santos.
When questioned about the donations, Santos vaguely referred to them as proceeds from a fundraiser but failed to provide any additional details. Furthermore, investigations found that some of the addresses listed by these donors could not be immediately verified, raising concerns about possible ineligibility due to factors such as being a student or having a visa status.
Santos’ association with Guo has become increasingly evident, with the congressman sponsoring multiple bills targeting the Chinese Communist Party and actively participating in Guo-supported events. Santos even attributed his own indictment to his support for Guo, urging others to financially support his fight for freedom.
Donors have expressed their unwavering support for Santos due to his allegiance to Guo and the NFSC. They argue that other candidates have previously failed to meet their expectations, leading them to believe that Santos is the most reliable choice in championing their cause.
As investigations into these campaign donations unfold, the public awaits further information to shed light on the nature and implications of Santos’ financial ties to Guo and the NFSC.
