Senator Ted Cruz’s Secret Donor Files

In a recent revelation, a cache of documents belonging to Senator Ted Cruz has surfaced, unveiling the intricate web of wealthy donors influencing political campaigns. The documents, discovered by independent reporter Pablo Manriquez, contain detailed dossiers on potential donors and the financial expectations set for their contributions. These revelations provide a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes fundraising efforts that drive modern politics.

Manriquez stumbled upon these documents within the Senate, which detailed the names, biographies, and suggested donation amounts of several affluent individuals Cruz planned to meet. Notable examples include Ambassador Ron Lauder, who was asked to contribute $199,200, and Ambassador John Lobe, with a suggested donation of $119,000. Other prominent names featured in the documents include Peter Thorin, Marvin Shankin, and Dr. J Reel, each with significant monetary requests.

High-Stakes Meetings and Donor Profiles: The documents not only outlined the specific monetary asks but also contained personal bios of the donors, hinting at the calculated nature of these interactions. Each meeting represents a critical juncture where Cruz’s policy positions and legislative actions could be swayed by substantial financial contributions. Here’s a closer look at these high-stakes meetings and the profiles of the donors involved:

Peter Thoren:

• Meeting Date/Time: Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM ET

• Location: Thoren Office

• Request: $59,600 for Cruz's race

• Bio: Thoren is the Executive Vice President of Access Industries, a privately held industrial group with investments in natural resources, media, real estate, and technology. With a legal background and senior management roles at Salomon Inc and Citigroup, Thoren's influence spans multiple sectors. His financial contributions to Cruz likely aim to secure favorable regulatory conditions and investment opportunities for Access Industries, potentially at the expense of environmental regulations and public interest.

Ambassador Ron Lauder:

• Meeting Date/Time: Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM ET

• Location: Cipriani

• Request: $119,200 for Cruz's race

• Bio: Lauder, a former U.S. Ambassador to Austria, is the founder of the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation. Lauder’s financial support for Cruz likely aims to bolster pro-Israel policies and strengthen U.S.-Israel relations. This influence could lead to biased foreign policies that prioritize Israeli interests over broader international and humanitarian concerns, further entrenching U.S. support for controversial Israeli actions and undermining efforts for a balanced Middle East policy.

Ambassador John Loeb:

• Meeting Date/Time: Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET

• Location: Knickerbocker Club

• Request: $119,200 for Cruz's race

• Bio: Loeb, a former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, has an extensive career in finance. His support for Cruz likely seeks to influence policies that benefit his financial ventures, revealing a deep entanglement with big business interests. This suggests a potential conflict of interest where Loeb’s philanthropic and diplomatic efforts serve as a cover for advancing his financial and corporate agendas.

Mike Novogratz:

• Meeting Date/Time: Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM ET

• Location: Novogratz Residence

• Request: Contribution and support for Cruz's race

• Bio: Novogratz is the CEO of Galaxy Digital, a company specializing in digital assets and blockchain technology. A former Partner and President of Fortress Investment Group, Novogratz has significant influence in financial markets. His contributions to Cruz likely aim to shape policies favorable to the burgeoning cryptocurrency and digital asset sectors, ensuring regulatory environments that support innovation and investment, potentially at the risk of overlooking the need for comprehensive regulation to protect consumers and financial stability.

Marvin Shanken:

• Meeting Date/Time: Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 5:00 PM - 6:15 PM ET

• Location: Shanken Office

• Request: $34,600 for Cruz's race

• Bio: Shanken is the founder of M. Shanken Communications and the publisher of Wine Spectator and Cigar Aficionado. His influence in the media and hospitality industries is substantial. Shanken’s support for Cruz is likely aimed at securing policies that benefit the wine, spirits, and cigar industries, including favorable tax regulations and reduced advertising restrictions, potentially at the expense of public health and safety.

Dr. Jay Reibel:

• Meeting Date/Time: Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET

• Location: Knickerbocker Club

• Request: $11,600 for Cruz's race

• Bio: Reibel is the founder of Preferred Health Care and a prominent figure in healthcare policy. His career includes significant contributions to disease management and mental health services. Reibel’s financial backing of Cruz likely seeks to influence healthcare policies that favor market-based solutions and reduce regulatory barriers, aligning with GOP healthcare strategies that prioritize privatization over public health equity.

The revelations about Cruz’s fundraising practices are not unique to him alone but highlight a broader systemic issue within American politics. Politicians from both major parties engage in similar activities, seeking substantial contributions from wealthy benefactors in exchange for political favors. This quid-pro-quo dynamic undermines the democratic process, allowing a few wealthy individuals to exert disproportionate influence over policy decisions.

The amounts requested in Cruz’s documents far exceed the legal limit of $6,000 for individual contributions, highlighting how politicians navigate around these restrictions. The Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision allows for unlimited contributions to independent expenditure PACs, which, in theory, are not supposed to coordinate directly with campaigns. However, the reality is that these contributions heavily influence political decisions, effectively making politicians beholden to their donors.

This report underscores the critical need for campaign finance reform to restore integrity and fairness to the democratic process. The influence of wealthy donors on political campaigns and policy decisions has created an uneven playing field, where the interests of a privileged few often overshadow the needs and voices of ordinary citizens.

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