Karen Bass’ Video Invites Scrutiny Over Donation Match Program

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat running for reelection, made a curious post on social media this week when she solicited campaign donations which would be matched by the city. The post is raising plenty of scrutiny and questions.

“The Tony Kinnett Cast” on Wednesday opened with the eyebrow-raising story, as host Tony Kinnett delved into these super match programs, and how controversial liberal fundraising PAC ActBlue provides a platform.

Such matching practices have been legal under city council rules since around 1990, with Los Angeles voting in 2019 for a 6-to-1 match of city funds to donations. It’s still “wildly hypocritical,” Kinnett argued.

Throughout the segment, Kinnett highlighted issues plaguing Los Angeles, including to do with roads and how the police and fire departments “are woefully underfunded.”

“They can’t do basic infrastructure repair. They can’t do anything about the actual staffing shortages in certain parts of the Los Angeles city infrastructure. But boy, they have money to spare to increase campaign donations to the incumbent mayor, Karen Bass,” Kinnett shared.

The Daily Signal reached out to Bass’ campaign for comment but did not hear back in time for publication.

Bass’ post brings users to ActBlue. Donors can make contributions monthly.

Kinnett pointed out that although one might say that ActBlue is doing due diligence by reminding donors of certain rules, the platform’s been plagued by problems. ActBlue leadership testified before the U.S. House of Representatives this year over allegedly accepting foreign money. Those testifying pleaded the Fifth Amendment.

ActBlue could spell issues for the party, Kinnett suggested, referencing CNN reporting of how “some Democrats are quietly afraid it could cost Democrats the midterms.” If an injunction comes from Congress and the Department of Justice, the platform could be shut down “and all that money could be locked up” rather than go to Democratic candidates.

Kinnett explained he brought up both Bass and ActBlue because it’s happening in other cities.

“And they say this is to amplify the little people, but it’s not amplifying the little people. It’s taking money from people who have chosen not to be a part of that campaign,” Kinnett highlighted. “It is taxpayer-generated revenue for the city or the local polity.”

“You cannot complain about the worries and the concerns and the big issues in money swaying elections and then watch people against their will have money taken from that,” Kinnett further insisted.

Kinnett highlighted how New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also participated with ActBlue, with 8-to-1 matching in New York.

“So, no one in New York City has any money for rent,” Kinnett highlighted, pointing to how the city can’t fulfill Mamdani’s campaign goals, such as universal pre-K and free buses. “But New York City taxpayer money is not going to that.”

The Daily Signal reached out to Mamdani’s office and ActBlue for comment but did not hear back in time for publication.