A small group of ultra-wealthy Americans pumps a lot of money into politics. We took a look at the top 25 donors who funded American politics in 2018 and found that the list consists of, among others, an assortment of financiers, heirs, and entrepreneurs. The contributions of some of the largest donors — such as Sheldon and Miriam Adelson, George Soros and Tom Steyer — are well known, while other donors, like Jeff Bezos, are better known for their careers.
Main Idea: The article ranks the biggest U.S. political donors in 2018 and shows how a small group of billionaires, including Tom Steyer, George Soros, and Sheldon Adelson, shaped campaign spending.
Key Points:
Mega-donors like Tom Steyer, George Soros, and Sheldon Adelson can sway elections and policy debates, giving wealthy people more influence than ordinary voters.
Their spending can also boost voter outreach and policy campaigns that raise attention on issues many households care about.
Rate how each entity in this article affected the American people.
Named as a well-known major donor whose political contributions are highlighted.
Named among the largest donors and central to the article’s focus on political funding.
One of the article’s top political donors and a major example in the ranking.
Mentioned as a major political donor who narrowly missed the list, making him relevant for comparison.
Ranked donor and one half of a major donating couple discussed in the article.
Included as a top donor and identified as a notable billionaire contributor to politics.
Co-donor with Sheldon Adelson and included among the article’s largest political donors.
Ranked donor and part of a prominent donating couple included in the list.
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Sign in to commentListed among the top 25 donors with specific donation totals and party affiliation.
Listed among the top political donors and discussed with details about his donations and political influence.
Ranked donor whose political contributions are described in the article.
Cited in the discussion of Koch family political donations, but not a main ranked subject.