Teamsters union gave max donation to RNC after meeting with Trump

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ political motion committee infused $45,000 into the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) conference fund final month in a stark departure from the union’s historical past of giving primarily to Democrats.

The Teamsters PAC — recognized formally as Democrat, Republican, Independent Voter Education — earmarked the donation on Jan. 25, in accordance to federal elections filings reviewed by Fox News Digital. The contribution was made weeks after former President Trump, the clear front-runner to safe the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, met with Teamsters President Sean O’Brien and days earlier than a second meeting between the 2.

In an announcement, Teamsters spokesperson Kara Deniz mentioned the contribution was authorised in December earlier than the union’s two conferences with Trump. She added that it represented the primary time the Teamsters would take part in each the Republican and Democrat conventions in additional than 20 years.

“The Teamsters contributed $45,000 to both the Democratic and Republican convention funds. It’s not since 2000 that our union has participated in both conventions,” Deniz advised Fox News Digital in an e mail. “In the Teamsters, all our members’ voices will be heard, regardless of party.”

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Former President Trump met with Teamsters boss Sean O’Brien twice final month. (Getty Images)

“Rank-and-file members will be on the ground and active in both conventions this year to make sure elected officials know the Teamsters’ issues and are hearing the challenges that working people face in this country,” she continued.

The donation is probably going to increase eyebrows as Trump continues to vie for the Teamsters’ endorsement. After his most up-to-date meeting with O’Brien on Jan. 31, Trump advised reporters the dialog was productive and that whereas the union sometimes helps Democrats, “stranger things have happened,” including that rank-and-file union members largely assist him.

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The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which endorsed now-President Biden in 2020, is among the many largest labor unions within the nation. While its general membership has declined barely in recent times, it nonetheless reviews having simply shy of 1.3 million members, in accordance to its most up-to-date filings with the Department of Labor.

Former President Trump, a Republican presidential candidate, talks to reporters on the International Brotherhood of Teamsters headquarters on Jan. 31, 2024. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“Our members want to hear from all candidates of all parties about what they plan to do for working people as President,” O’Brien mentioned in an announcement final month. “Teamsters are essential to every trade industry in this country. Our members are working in all 50 states and represent every political background, including no affiliation.”

“Our union wants every candidate to know that there are 1.3 million Teamsters nationwide whose votes will not be taken for granted. Workers’ voices must be heard.”

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According to the FEC, the biggest contribution a multicandidate PAC could make to nationwide social gathering committee accounts is $45,000, that means the Teamsters PAC maxed out with its RNC conference fund donation.

In latest months, it has given donations of $45,000 to numerous Democratic National Committee, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee funds.