Sludge
@sludge.bsky.social
A non-partisan, independent news outlet exposing the moneyed interests that control U.S. politics.
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NEW: New companies like Anduril are funding the Kennedy Center since Trump's takeover, while others like Chevron are newly disclosing their donations with Trump as the "honoree." readsludge.com/2026/02/09/c...
Companies ‘Honor’ Trump With Kennedy Center Donations
From defense to oil to tech, new companies are supporting the Kennedy Center since Trump’s takeover while others are revising their disclosure practices to explicitly honor the president.
readsludge.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:33 PM
NEW: New companies like Anduril are funding the Kennedy Center since Trump's takeover, while others like Chevron are newly disclosing their donations with Trump as the "honoree." readsludge.com/2026/02/09/c...
Big Tech companies cozying up to Trump have eye-watering AI investments facing regulations. Others, like automakers, face shifting policies from Trump's tariffs. Many are battling enforcement actions that could be, or have been, dropped.
See their benefits received:
perfectunion.us/trumps-corpo...
See their benefits received:
perfectunion.us/trumps-corpo...
Trump's Corporate Colluders - More Perfect Union
We analyzed more than 150 top donors to Trump's inauguration fund and the White House ballroom construction to figure out which corporations are donating — and what they got in return.
perfectunion.us
February 8, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Big Tech companies cozying up to Trump have eye-watering AI investments facing regulations. Others, like automakers, face shifting policies from Trump's tariffs. Many are battling enforcement actions that could be, or have been, dropped.
See their benefits received:
perfectunion.us/trumps-corpo...
See their benefits received:
perfectunion.us/trumps-corpo...
More Trump Vance inauguration donors airing ads during the Super Bowl:
- Open AI's CEO Sam Altman gave $1M
- Novo Nordisk's trade group PhRMA gave $1M
- Verizon has a sponsorship and gave $1M
- Paramount, while not an inauguration donor, is owned by Trump ally mega-billionaire Larry Ellison
- Open AI's CEO Sam Altman gave $1M
- Novo Nordisk's trade group PhRMA gave $1M
- Verizon has a sponsorship and gave $1M
- Paramount, while not an inauguration donor, is owned by Trump ally mega-billionaire Larry Ellison
February 8, 2026 at 4:34 PM
More Trump Vance inauguration donors airing ads during the Super Bowl:
- Open AI's CEO Sam Altman gave $1M
- Novo Nordisk's trade group PhRMA gave $1M
- Verizon has a sponsorship and gave $1M
- Paramount, while not an inauguration donor, is owned by Trump ally mega-billionaire Larry Ellison
- Open AI's CEO Sam Altman gave $1M
- Novo Nordisk's trade group PhRMA gave $1M
- Verizon has a sponsorship and gave $1M
- Paramount, while not an inauguration donor, is owned by Trump ally mega-billionaire Larry Ellison
Trump Vance inauguration fund donors: Google ($1M), Amazon ($1M), Comcast ($1M), and Microsoft ($750k)...
More Super Bowl LX ad buyers and Trump inauguration donors:
- Anheuser-Busch ($1M)
- DoorDash ($1M)
- DraftKings ($500k)
- General Motors ($1M)
- Instacart ($100k)
- Toyota ($1m)
- Uber ($1m)
More Super Bowl LX ad buyers and Trump inauguration donors:
- Anheuser-Busch ($1M)
- DoorDash ($1M)
- DraftKings ($500k)
- General Motors ($1M)
- Instacart ($100k)
- Toyota ($1m)
- Uber ($1m)
February 8, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Trump Vance inauguration fund donors: Google ($1M), Amazon ($1M), Comcast ($1M), and Microsoft ($750k)...
More Super Bowl LX ad buyers and Trump inauguration donors:
- Anheuser-Busch ($1M)
- DoorDash ($1M)
- DraftKings ($500k)
- General Motors ($1M)
- Instacart ($100k)
- Toyota ($1m)
- Uber ($1m)
More Super Bowl LX ad buyers and Trump inauguration donors:
- Anheuser-Busch ($1M)
- DoorDash ($1M)
- DraftKings ($500k)
- General Motors ($1M)
- Instacart ($100k)
- Toyota ($1m)
- Uber ($1m)
Companies with Super Bowl ads that donated to the Trump White House ballroom project:
- Google (up to $22 million)
- Amazon's Alexa
- Comcast's Xfinity
- Microsoft
- T-Mobile
The project's estimate doubled this year to $400 million. Virtually all donation amounts have not been disclosed.
- Google (up to $22 million)
- Amazon's Alexa
- Comcast's Xfinity
- Microsoft
- T-Mobile
The project's estimate doubled this year to $400 million. Virtually all donation amounts have not been disclosed.
February 8, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Companies with Super Bowl ads that donated to the Trump White House ballroom project:
- Google (up to $22 million)
- Amazon's Alexa
- Comcast's Xfinity
- Microsoft
- T-Mobile
The project's estimate doubled this year to $400 million. Virtually all donation amounts have not been disclosed.
- Google (up to $22 million)
- Amazon's Alexa
- Comcast's Xfinity
- Microsoft
- T-Mobile
The project's estimate doubled this year to $400 million. Virtually all donation amounts have not been disclosed.
We took a close look at the foreign interests flooding the coffers of Ballard Partners, the lobbying firm of a top Trump fundraiser—and the wins they got from the new administration.
This investigative reporting is only possible because of our readers. Read the report, and try a subscription:
This investigative reporting is only possible because of our readers. Read the report, and try a subscription:
Foreign Interests Are Paying Millions to a Trump-Linked Lobbying Firm
Ballard Partners’ foreign-interest lobbying business has boomed since Trump took office, signing up new clients from Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Albania, Uzbekistan, and more.
readsludge.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:14 AM
We took a close look at the foreign interests flooding the coffers of Ballard Partners, the lobbying firm of a top Trump fundraiser—and the wins they got from the new administration.
This investigative reporting is only possible because of our readers. Read the report, and try a subscription:
This investigative reporting is only possible because of our readers. Read the report, and try a subscription:
Our latest report in Politico Influence today—on the foreign lobbying firms quickly spending millions of dollars with a closely Trump-tied lobbying firm. 👀
February 7, 2026 at 12:14 AM
Our latest report in Politico Influence today—on the foreign lobbying firms quickly spending millions of dollars with a closely Trump-tied lobbying firm. 👀
Trump-tied firm Ballard Partners smashed the record for lobbying revenue in 2025. Many of their highest-paying clients were foreign companies that hired them since Trump's return to office, seeking access to the new administration.
Foreign Interests Are Paying Millions to a Trump-Linked Lobbying Firm
Ballard Partners’ foreign-interest lobbying business has boomed since Trump took office, signing up new clients from Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Albania, Uzbekistan, and more.
readsludge.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Trump-tied firm Ballard Partners smashed the record for lobbying revenue in 2025. Many of their highest-paying clients were foreign companies that hired them since Trump's return to office, seeking access to the new administration.
Just out: The foreign-interest lobbying business of the Trump-tied firm Ballard Partners has boomed since Trump took office, raking in millions from new clients from Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Albania, Uzbekistan, and more.
Foreign Interests Are Paying Millions to a Trump-Linked Lobbying Firm
Ballard Partners’ foreign-interest lobbying business has boomed since Trump took office, signing up new clients from Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Albania, Uzbekistan, and more.
readsludge.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Just out: The foreign-interest lobbying business of the Trump-tied firm Ballard Partners has boomed since Trump took office, raking in millions from new clients from Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Albania, Uzbekistan, and more.
New disclosures: AIPAC gave a record-high $30 million to its super PAC, the United Democracy Project, ahead of 2026 races. The group has already spent millions of dollars on attack ads in a New Jersey Democratic primary.
Crypto, AI, and AIPAC Set up to Smash Super PAC Spending Records
The groups are sitting on massive war chests for 2026 midterms, according to new disclosures.
readsludge.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:32 PM
New disclosures: AIPAC gave a record-high $30 million to its super PAC, the United Democracy Project, ahead of 2026 races. The group has already spent millions of dollars on attack ads in a New Jersey Democratic primary.
Super PACs for the crypto and AI industry, as well as AIPAC's group, are sitting on massive war chests for 2026 midterms. Cash on hand, according to new disclosures:
Crypto, AI, and AIPAC Set up to Smash Super PAC Spending Records
The groups are sitting on massive war chests for 2026 midterms, according to new disclosures.
readsludge.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Super PACs for the crypto and AI industry, as well as AIPAC's group, are sitting on massive war chests for 2026 midterms. Cash on hand, according to new disclosures:
AIPAC's super PAC has now spent $2.3 million opposing Tom Malinowski in the #NJ11 primary election, per FEC filings.
This weekend, UDP spent another half-million on media and direct mail against him. Though he is described as a former ally of AIPAC, the group opposes possibility of aid conditions.
This weekend, UDP spent another half-million on media and direct mail against him. Though he is described as a former ally of AIPAC, the group opposes possibility of aid conditions.
February 1, 2026 at 2:45 PM
AIPAC's super PAC has now spent $2.3 million opposing Tom Malinowski in the #NJ11 primary election, per FEC filings.
This weekend, UDP spent another half-million on media and direct mail against him. Though he is described as a former ally of AIPAC, the group opposes possibility of aid conditions.
This weekend, UDP spent another half-million on media and direct mail against him. Though he is described as a former ally of AIPAC, the group opposes possibility of aid conditions.
In the last days of 2025, MAGA Inc. also received:
- another $1 million from tobacco company RAI Services
- $1 million from billionaire financier Todd Boehly, co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who previously gave that amount at the end of 2024
- another $1 million from tobacco company RAI Services
- $1 million from billionaire financier Todd Boehly, co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who previously gave that amount at the end of 2024
February 1, 2026 at 2:21 AM
In the last days of 2025, MAGA Inc. also received:
- another $1 million from tobacco company RAI Services
- $1 million from billionaire financier Todd Boehly, co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who previously gave that amount at the end of 2024
- another $1 million from tobacco company RAI Services
- $1 million from billionaire financier Todd Boehly, co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who previously gave that amount at the end of 2024
Trump's MAGA Inc. super PAC entered 2026 with $304.4 million in cash on hand, per new FEC disclosure. It plans to spend for GOP allies in the midterms.
On Dec. 31, it received another $7.5 million from Trump's "dark money" group, Securing American Greatness.
docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/form...
On Dec. 31, it received another $7.5 million from Trump's "dark money" group, Securing American Greatness.
docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/form...
February 1, 2026 at 2:21 AM
Trump's MAGA Inc. super PAC entered 2026 with $304.4 million in cash on hand, per new FEC disclosure. It plans to spend for GOP allies in the midterms.
On Dec. 31, it received another $7.5 million from Trump's "dark money" group, Securing American Greatness.
docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/form...
On Dec. 31, it received another $7.5 million from Trump's "dark money" group, Securing American Greatness.
docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/form...
Not just Larry Ellison—pro-Trump billionaire Jeff Yass is set to profit from the new U.S. TikTok on two sides. Also in the new ownership consortium: Emirati state-owned firm MGX, and Jared Kushner's circle. By @derekseidman.bsky.social:
New US TikTok Spinoff Will Be Controlled by Trump-Aligned Billionaires
Trump-aligned tech barons are now set to control nearly all major US social media platforms.
truthout.org
January 28, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Not just Larry Ellison—pro-Trump billionaire Jeff Yass is set to profit from the new U.S. TikTok on two sides. Also in the new ownership consortium: Emirati state-owned firm MGX, and Jared Kushner's circle. By @derekseidman.bsky.social:
Brand-name companies with ICE contracts under the Trump administration:
- AT&T
- Dell
- Deloitte
- Ernst & Young
- FedEx
- Stamps .com
- Xerox, and others
See the $$ amounts in our searchable list:
readsludge.com/2026/01/16/t...
- AT&T
- Dell
- Deloitte
- Ernst & Young
- FedEx
- Stamps .com
- Xerox, and others
See the $$ amounts in our searchable list:
readsludge.com/2026/01/16/t...
The Companies Behind ICE
Sludge built an interactive map of every ICE contractor working with the Trump administration.
readsludge.com
January 24, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Brand-name companies with ICE contracts under the Trump administration:
- AT&T
- Dell
- Deloitte
- Ernst & Young
- FedEx
- Stamps .com
- Xerox, and others
See the $$ amounts in our searchable list:
readsludge.com/2026/01/16/t...
- AT&T
- Dell
- Deloitte
- Ernst & Young
- FedEx
- Stamps .com
- Xerox, and others
See the $$ amounts in our searchable list:
readsludge.com/2026/01/16/t...
After our latest report on the ongoing ICE vehicle parking at Pier 40, Sludge asked the Trust if the deal, set to expire on June 30 this year, would be renewed.
On Jan. 20, a spokesperson told us that the Trust "does not intend to renew the contract."
On Jan. 20, a spokesperson told us that the Trust "does not intend to renew the contract."
Hudson River Park Trust to End Longstanding ICE Contract Following Sludge Report
After contracting with ICE since 2004, the Trust tells Sludge it will stop when the current contract ends in June.
readsludge.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:40 PM
After our latest report on the ongoing ICE vehicle parking at Pier 40, Sludge asked the Trust if the deal, set to expire on June 30 this year, would be renewed.
On Jan. 20, a spokesperson told us that the Trust "does not intend to renew the contract."
On Jan. 20, a spokesperson told us that the Trust "does not intend to renew the contract."
NYC Councilmember Erik Bottcher @ebottcher.bsky.social, whose district includes Pier 40, posted yesterday calling to halt ICE's long-running parking deal:
"Every day this continues, people are being hurt and a public park that belongs to our community is being misused.”
bsky.app/profile/ebot...
"Every day this continues, people are being hurt and a public park that belongs to our community is being misused.”
bsky.app/profile/ebot...
It is good that this contract is finally ending in June, but a lot of damage can be done between now and then. Every day this continues, people are being hurt and a public park that belongs to our community is being misused. Parks are shared public assets, meant for families, recreation, and safety,
January 23, 2026 at 5:40 PM
NYC Councilmember Erik Bottcher @ebottcher.bsky.social, whose district includes Pier 40, posted yesterday calling to halt ICE's long-running parking deal:
"Every day this continues, people are being hurt and a public park that belongs to our community is being misused.”
bsky.app/profile/ebot...
"Every day this continues, people are being hurt and a public park that belongs to our community is being misused.”
bsky.app/profile/ebot...
Latest — @nycfootprint.bsky.social reports that nine New York elected officials are calling on the Hudson River Park Trust to cancel their ICE contract immediately.
open.substack.com/pub/thefootp...
open.substack.com/pub/thefootp...
January 23, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Latest — @nycfootprint.bsky.social reports that nine New York elected officials are calling on the Hudson River Park Trust to cancel their ICE contract immediately.
open.substack.com/pub/thefootp...
open.substack.com/pub/thefootp...
This accountability journalism is made possible by readers like you. If you think it’s vital to follow the money, please join us as a subscriber: readsludge.com/membership
January 22, 2026 at 9:32 PM
This accountability journalism is made possible by readers like you. If you think it’s vital to follow the money, please join us as a subscriber: readsludge.com/membership
Live from Pier 40, after our latest reports on ICE’s parking contracts led the Hudson River Park Trust to say they would not renew their over two-decade deal with ICE…
January 22, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Live from Pier 40, after our latest reports on ICE’s parking contracts led the Hudson River Park Trust to say they would not renew their over two-decade deal with ICE…
💥 Hudson River Park is ending its ICE contract after Sludge's report.
The garage at Pier 40, which has been awarded more than $1.9 million by ICE over two decades, says it will not renew ICE's contract when it ends on June 30.
The garage at Pier 40, which has been awarded more than $1.9 million by ICE over two decades, says it will not renew ICE's contract when it ends on June 30.
Hudson River Park Trust to End Longstanding ICE Contract Following Sludge Report
After contracting with ICE since 2004, the Trust tells Sludge it will stop when the current contract ends in June.
readsludge.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:07 PM
💥 Hudson River Park is ending its ICE contract after Sludge's report.
The garage at Pier 40, which has been awarded more than $1.9 million by ICE over two decades, says it will not renew ICE's contract when it ends on June 30.
The garage at Pier 40, which has been awarded more than $1.9 million by ICE over two decades, says it will not renew ICE's contract when it ends on June 30.
NEW: The Hudson River Park Trust says it will not renew its contract for ICE parking, following Sludge's report on the arrangement.
readsludge.com/2026/01/21/h...
readsludge.com/2026/01/21/h...
Hudson River Park Trust to End Longstanding ICE Contract Following Sludge Report
After contracting with ICE since 2004, the Trust tells Sludge it will stop when the current contract ends in June.
readsludge.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:32 PM
NEW: The Hudson River Park Trust says it will not renew its contract for ICE parking, following Sludge's report on the arrangement.
readsludge.com/2026/01/21/h...
readsludge.com/2026/01/21/h...
NEW: No Labels is convening a new bipartisan working group on Israel policy. The move follows registered foreign agent work for Israel by firms led by the organization’s leader’s spouse, Mark Penn. readsludge.com/2026/01/20/n...
No Labels’ Israel Push Follows Foreign Agent Work by Spouse’s Firm
The group's leader is married to Mark Penn, whose Stagwell Group companies have recently been working as registered foreign agents for Israel.
readsludge.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:40 PM
NEW: No Labels is convening a new bipartisan working group on Israel policy. The move follows registered foreign agent work for Israel by firms led by the organization’s leader’s spouse, Mark Penn. readsludge.com/2026/01/20/n...