Former President Donald Trump’s political operation has funneled more than $3 million through a Delaware limited liability company called Launchpad Strategies LLC that does not disclose its owners, according to campaign finance records. The company, incorporated in Delaware in November, has received payments from the Trump campaign and an affiliated joint fundraising committee.
The payments to Launchpad Strategies LLC make it the second-largest vendor used this year by the Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee. The committee divides contributions between it and other committees, including the formal campaign and Save America, which helps pay Trump’s legal bills.
Little is known about Launchpad Strategies LLC beyond its existence and the millions of dollars received from the presidential campaign. The company has not done political work for other candidates at state or federal levels. Its website offers no information about services or ownership.
Campaign finance watchdog organizations have raised concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the company’s relationship with the Trump campaign. In the past, Trump’s campaign has been accused of using shell companies to obscure how donor funds were being spent.
The Campaign Legal Center has filed complaints with the Federal Election Commission regarding Trump’s campaign spending practices, including allegations that a firm called American Made Media Consultants and a Republican compliance firm were used to hide the true recipients of funds.
Transparency in campaign spending is crucial to the integrity of elections, according to the Campaign Legal Center. Voters have a right to know how candidates are using their donations. The lack of transparency surrounding Launchpad Strategies LLC raises red flags and highlights the ongoing debate about campaign finance transparency.
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