![]() ![]() None of the money the two groups have raised went directly to Trump or his campaign during the 2020 cycle. The majority of their contributions come from retirees, according to their filings. In just the 2020 cycle alone, the Support American Leaders PAC paid Tunstall more than 360 separate times – by far the PAC’s largest number of expenditures. While much of that money pays for the billions of robocalls the two groups make, almost all of which feature recorded soundbites of public statements from Trump, a CNN KFile analysis shows that the PACs paid Tunstall at least $738,000 of that money to date. “Matte Nox” is the assumed name and online persona of Matthew Tunstall, a 34-year-old from Texas who over the past three years has raised millions of dollars operating two political action committees that impersonated the Trump campaign.įounded in 20, Tunstall’s two PACs, Support American Leaders and Campaign to Support the President, have together raised a total of $3.4 million to date, according to federal filings. In his LinkedIn accounts, he describes himself as an investor in “women-led ventures,” including a modeling agency and a beauty company that sells face masks.īut like so many things on the internet, “Matte Nox” is not who he appears to be. Nox is an “award-winning writer” and “executive producer,” according to his online bio. “Your life doesn’t need a purpose, just money,” Nox writes in one post. He posts shirtless selfies, displaying a prominent chest tattoo that reads, “God Will Give Me Justice.” He shows off his crystal-encrusted Gucci rings, Yves Saint-Laurent sunglasses and a handmade designer hat with his name engraved. He lives in a luxury high-rise apartment downtown and parties with aspiring models at nightclubs. ![]() He drives a black Porsche Panamera around Los Angeles at night, often to the soundtrack of club music. Treasury.ĬBC News has reached out to Zekelman for comment, through a representative of Zekelman Industries, but had not yet heard back at time of publication.At first glance, “Matte Nox” looks like your typical thirty-something wannabe Internet influencer, flaunting a lavish lifestyle on his public Instagram and TikTok accounts. Zekelman acknowledged he also participated in discussions at Zekelman Industries and Wheatland Tube about the contributions, the FEC said.Īs part of the settlement, the companies must ask for a refund or request that the Super PAC give the funds to the U.S. They were authorized after the company's president, who is American, consulted with another company officer in the U.S. The contributions were made through the Pennsylvania-based Wheatland Tube, a pipe and tube subsidiary of Zekelman Industries. Zekelman and his companies argued the contributions were made in good faith and on the understanding that they were permitted. The settlement agreement, released on Friday, states the FEC did not find the violation was "knowing or wilful." ![]() Zekelman, who owns steel operations on both sides of the border, was an outspoken supporter of the tariffs.Īccording to the New York Times, Zekelman and his wife were invited to a private dinner with Trump after the donations were made. On June 1, 2018, the U.S., under Trump, imposed 25 per cent tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. 2nd complaint filed in connection with Canadian steelmaker's alleged involvement in Trump support.Imposing this serious penalty helps protect the voices of voters from being drowned out by foreign corporations and other special interests," Adav Noti, the CLC's vice-president and legal director, said in a news release.Īmerica First Action describes itself as "the primary super PAC dedicated to electing federal candidates who support the agenda of the Trump-Pence administration," the FEC notes in its factual and legal analysis of the case.ĭonations were made on April 5, 2018, June 4, 2018, and Oct. The CLC said the fine is the third highest ever imposed by the FEC. In investigating a complaint from Campaign Legal Center (CLC), a non-partisan democracy group in the U.S., the FEC concluded the chief executive officer of Zekelman Industries provided "substantial assistance" through one of his companies making donations to the political group America First Action. Canadian steelmaker's connection to $1.75M donation for Trump sparks complaint. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |