The spirit of giving during the holidays often reveals unexpected truths. A recent fundraising effort, intended to provide Thanksgiving turkeys to families in need, has sparked controversy and exposed a troubling practice.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently appealed to supporters via email, requesting donations for a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway across New York City. The message implored recipients to contribute even a small amount – $5 – to spread holiday cheer.
However, the link provided didn’t lead to local charities or community organizations. Instead, it directed donors straight to ActBlue, the Democratic fundraising platform, effectively funneling contributions directly into her campaign coffers.
A clear disclaimer on the donation page revealed that funds would be “paid for by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Congress,” and crucially, would not qualify as charitable donations for tax purposes. This detail fundamentally alters the nature of the appeal.
This approach marks a significant departure from previous efforts. In 2021, the Representative reportedly raised over $33,000 for local charities organizing turkey drives, sending donations directly to those organizations.
Critics argue that a political campaign should not operate as a conduit for charitable work. Concerns have been raised about the potential for misuse of funds, questioning whether donations would genuinely translate into turkeys for those in need.
The situation is further complicated by reports that the turkey distribution is occurring across a wide range of districts, with the Representative’s branding prominently displayed on the boxes. Accusations have surfaced regarding the prioritization of non-citizens over American citizens in the distribution process.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny surrounding ActBlue’s practices. Congressional committees have been investigating allegations of fraudulent donations accepted from both domestic and foreign sources.
Subpoenas have been issued to key ActBlue personnel, including former and current employees, seeking transcribed interviews regarding the platform’s fraud prevention measures. Evidence suggests a concerningly lax approach to identifying and preventing fraudulent activity.
The committees discovered that ActBlue actually weakened its fraud-prevention standards on two occasions in 2024, despite being aware of significant attempted fraud, including activity originating from foreign actors. This raises serious questions about the platform’s security and integrity.
Further subpoenas were issued to ActBlue attorneys, deepening the investigation into the platform’s operations and its role in facilitating political fundraising. The unfolding inquiry promises to reveal more about the practices of this influential online fundraising tool.
