Yass, an influential player in right-wing politics, has given nearly $50 million to federal candidates and committees this election cycle alone, according to Federal Election Commission filings. But while many of his preferred candidates publicly style themselves as allies of the former president, Yass himself has yet to give a single dollar to any Trump-aligned group. If that personal policy changes, it would offer some relief to Trump, whose political operation needs all the financial support it can get.
He’s also given millions to support his “favorite politician,” Sen. Advocacy in his home state of Pennsylvania. Rand Paul (R-KY), a Trump-aligned conservative with a wide libertarian streak-including $3 million to a pro-Paul super PAC that backed Kentucky GOP attorney general Daniel Cameron’s failed gubernatorial bid last year. Yass had ground-floor investments in an experimental psychedelic opioid treatment that Cameron’s office was promoting at the time, The Daily Beast reported. Yass has also pumped tens of millions of dollars into elections.
One Trump operative noted that they aren’t aware of any “Jeff Yass stans” in the former president’s orbit. It’s not clear exactly what kind of cash influx Yass’ investment will provide, if any at all. Two Trump staffers said they’ve heard nobody object to the Truth Social cash influx over any perceived disloyalty. Asked about the Truth Social arrangement, a SIG spokesperson provided a statement saying that SIG is evenly hedged and has no real stake in the company’s success. But they noted there were no major critics, either.
A second person familiar with the situation confirmed to The Daily Beast last week that Yass has not donated to any Trump-aligned groups, including since the Times report was published, saying there is no reason to expect that will change anytime soon. That information would certainly disappoint Trump, if not also the critics who saw a quid pro quo playing out just as the legally and politically besieged candidate appeared to be at his most vulnerable. But the Yass-Trump connection itself is actually far more nuanced and tenuous than is broadly assumed.