Swiss Billionaire Hansjörg Wyss’ Massive Political Donations to Left-Wing Groups and Causes: A Closer Look

Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss has been making headlines recently due to his substantial political donations to left-wing groups and causes. According to tax forms obtained by Politico, the Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded group, disbursed over $60 million to 13 left-leaning organizations between April 2022 and April 2023. This funding has garnered increased attention and scrutiny, particularly given the significant influence these groups wield in American politics.

The most significant donation, totaling $35 million, went to the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a dark money nonprofit managed by the Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm Arabella Advisors. While the Sixteen Thirty Fund does not identify its donors, a contribution of a similar amount was the largest the nonprofit reported receiving on its own tax forms in 2022. The remaining $300,000 from the Berger Action Fund was likely wired sometime between January and April 2023 unless the group rounded up the amount it donated. The Sixteen Thirty Fund’s next largest contribution was $19 million.

During this time, the Sixteen Thirty Fund hauled in around $190 million and passed nearly $150 million in grants to Democrat-aligned groups and endeavors, including large sums to organizations that work on voter engagement and environmental initiatives. It also pushed cash into groups located in pivotal swing states.

Another notable recipient of Wyss’ funding was the Fund For A Better Future, which housed Climate Power. Climate Power and the League of Conservation Voters are two prominent far-left environmental groups that push aggressive green transition policies. While Fund for a Better Future previously oversaw Climate Power, the group broke into its own nonprofit in the summer of 2023, a spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital.

The Berger Action Fund also provided $1.5 million to WorkMoney Inc. and hundreds of thousands more to other groups like Indivisible Project, Western Conservation Action, Citizen Action of New York, Americans for Financial Reform, and Common Cause.

Wyss’ political involvement extends beyond the Berger Action Fund. For over two decades, he has been financially involved in various left-wing causes. Wyss started the Wyss Foundation in the late 1990s and the Berger Action Fund in 2007. His citizenship, meanwhile, has come under scrutiny as his political giving has garnered increased attention.

Watchdog group Americans for Public Trust (APT) discovered several documents that called Wyss’ citizenship into question, including a 2021 Securities and Exchange Commission filing in which he says he is a “citizen of Switzerland.” Caitlin Sutherland, APT’s executive director, previously told Fox News Digital, “Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in our political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes. While openly bragging to international press about his extensive influence in our country, Wyss’ U.S.-based nonprofits have refused to admit what has now been confirmed: Wyss has never been and is still not a U.S. citizen.”

Republican lawmakers have also taken notice of Wyss’ political activity, with some eying legislation to prevent foreign nationals from “influencing the American political system.” Axios reported last year that Wyss’ activity had caught their attention.

The Berger Action Fund maintains that it complies with laws and rules governing its activities and prohibits its grants from being used to support or oppose political candidates or parties, or otherwise engage in electoral activities. The group also supports efforts to bring increased transparency to the campaign finance system through the DISCLOSE Act.

Despite these assurances, concerns about foreign influence in American politics continue to mount. The impact of Wyss’ donations on left-wing groups and causes is significant, and the potential for further influence is a cause for concern. As the 2024 election approaches, the issue of foreign funding in American politics will undoubtedly remain a topic of debate and discussion.

In conclusion, Hansjörg Wyss’ political donations to left-wing groups and causes have raised concerns about foreign influence in American politics. With over $60 million donated to various organizations between 2022 and 2023, the impact of these contributions is significant. As the 2024 election approaches, the issue of foreign funding in American politics will continue to be a topic of debate and discussion. It is crucial that steps are taken to ensure the integrity of the electoral process and prevent foreign interference.

Sources:
– Politico
– Fox News Digital
– Axios
– Americans for Public Trust (APT)

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