Money and Politics - Zuckerbucks

NOTICE: 

Cogport does not support either Trump or Harris in the Presidential election.

Cogport does not favor either Republicans or Democrats. 

Some partisan individuals may interpret this Report as a criticism of Democrats in favor of Republicans.

Cogport’s intent is to show a significant example of how Big Money can influence elections, not to single out a Party, even though the Democrats are the example in this Report.

The Real Threat to Democracy Is Money Influence, no matter which Party.

Background

In the last report, Cogport identified the major recipients of the Zuckerberg’s astounding donation of $450 Million in the 2020 election cycle. 

The money is often referred to as “Zuckerbucks.”

The donation was purported to help local election offices who needed funding to manage COVID-19 issues, assist voters, and address other underfunding issues.

As it turns out, Zuckerbucks were not distributed equally across the States (which all had COVID and funding issues).

Donations were directed impartially to certain Swing States that would make a difference in the 2020 Election.

Was this distribution politically motivated ?  That is for you decide.

This report will focus on CTCL (Center for Tech and Civic Life) which received $ 350 Million of the Zuckerbucks.

DATA – How Zuckerbucks Were Dispensed By CTCL

Here is the data on Key States that received the most money.  (The other states were apparently not as needy).

State                    Received From             Percent of          Percent of

                                CTCL (Millions)            $350 Million          U.S. Voters              

Georgia                         $ 45.0                            13.8%                        3.2%                  

Arizona                          $   5.2                               1.5%                        2.2%                      

Pennsylvania              $ 25.0                              7.7%                         4.4%                     

Michigan                       $ 16.9                               5.2%                         3.5%                    

Wisconsin                   $ 10.1                               3.1%                         2.1%                    

Total                             $135.6                             41.6%                     20.3%

These States received a disproportionate amount of cash based on voter numbers compared to the U.S. in total. Twice as much.

The aggregate total for these States is quite significant.  Cogport does not consider $45 Million to Georgia as a pittance.

Why the impartial distribution to these States ?  The root may be the 2016 election which went for Trump with surprise wins in key States.

Here is an analysis of 2016 Election and how things changed in 2020:

                             Trump Margin 2016                        Trump Margin 2020

Georgia                        5.1%                                               -   0.7%

Pennsylvania             0.8%                                              -   1.2%

Michigan                      0.2%                                                -   2.8%

Wisconsin                  0.8%                                                -   0.6%

Arizona                        3.8%                                                 -   0.3%

So, Five Significant States flipped against Trump in 2020.  These small margins were the difference that gave Biden the victory .

Was the Zuckerberg money a factor in the outcome of the 2020 election ?

Let’s look at a discrete case:  Fulton County, Georgia.

Fulton County received over $ 10.6 Million from CTCL.  The county has a population of approximately 1,065,000 people. 

This one County alone received more than 42 of the States !!!   Why so much – Was it important to the election ?

Why the concentration of Zuckerbucks in this County ?

Here is an analysis of Fulton County votes in the 2016 Election and how things changed in 2020:

                                   Total Votes (2016)              Total Votes (2020)                Change

Democrats                   297,051                               379,237                               +  82,186  

Republicans                117,783                               136,716                                +  18,933

Did the Money make a difference in Georgia in 2020 ?  

The vote in Georgia, the largest CTCL recipient of all the States, was certainly a game changer for Biden in 2020.

Summary

Was the distribution of the Zuckerberg donation by CTCL in conflict with its expressed intent ?

It is a significant issue, but has not be investigated under the Biden Administration. 

The Congress has questions, but they have not had a meaningful investigation in 20 years.

Comments

Our democracy is founded on the principle that every U.S. Citizen has an equal say in the elections and policies of the Country.  A vote from every individual counts the same, regardless of wealth/income.

You can say that every individual is free to spend money wherever they choose.  However, Politics and Government cannot be an open market available to the highest bidder.

That is destructive to Democratic Principles, and has led to the deep divisions in our Country with people of great wealth controlling the agenda between Democrats and Republicans.  Many of those agendas are extreme.

The Next Report in this Series on Money & Politics will focus on Miriam Adelson's contributions to Trump and the Republican Party. 

David Hollaender                   Sept 10, 2024

Cogport.com