Donald Trump’s campaign for president has lodged an objection against the UK Labour Party, alleging it of meddling in the US election. The grievance was submitted to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in the US, targeting both Labour and Kamala Harris’ US electoral campaign for “receiving and making unlawful foreign national contributions”.
The complaint highlighted news supposedly showing interactions between Labour officials and Harris’ campaign team and individuals affiliated with Labour volunteering for the Democratic campaign in the US. Trump’s campaign, according to a statement made available on DonaldJTrump.com on Tuesday evening, maintains that the “far-left” Labour side has influenced Kamala’s extremely progressive policies and discourse.
The statement read: “The Trump-Vance Campaign has lodged a grievance with the FEC against the Harris-Walz Campaign and the UK’s Labour Party for unlawfully receiving foreign campaign contributions, and for meddling in our electoral process.” It cited newspaper reports from The Telegraph regarding Labour-associated individuals campaigning for Kamala Harris in the United States.
The complaint further asserts that reports about the connection between Harris’ campaign and the Labour Party gives a reasonable assumption that the latter has made, and the former has received, unlawful foreign national contributions. The complaint refers to another report in the Washington Post, alleging consultations between Labour Party tacticians and Harris’ election team and additional reports concerning high level meetings between Labour officials and the Democratic campaign.
Individuals called out in the complaint include Matthew Doyle, the communications director, and Morgan McSweeney, the chief of staff to the UK’s prime minister. Additionally, the complaint quotes a now seemingly deleted social media post, where a Labour staff member stated around 100 current and former Labour Party staff members would be “flying to the US in the upcoming weeks” to influence vital states.
Within its scope, the complaint reviews the “volunteer exemption” under US election law – under which foreign nationals may volunteer but cannot be compensated, make expenditures or direct/control activities of US political campaigns.
Volunteer trips are believed to be organised privately, and accommodation was said to be provided by Democratic volunteers. It’s understood volunteers travelled to the U.S in their own personal time. Last month, Sir Keir Starmer, Labour leader, met with Republican presidential candidate Mr Trump during a visit to New York.
The head of government made a trip to Trump Tower for discussions prior to the US election, expressing his desire for a personal interaction with Mr Trump. His reasoning rested on the belief that personal bonds hold great significance on the international platform.
The Labour Party is yet to comment on the situation.
In other news, Bill Gates, one of wealthiest individuals globally, after decades of political non-interference, has privately acknowledged donating an estimated $50 million in support of Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign to a nonprofit entity, claim three knowledgeable individuals.
This contribution was intended to remain undisclosed. Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has not publicly shown support for Harris, marking this donation as a considerable deviation from his earlier strategic approach, avoiding such contributions.
During confidential calls this year, Gates has conveyed apprehension over a potential second Donald Trump presidency term. However, he asserted his ability to collaborate with either candidate, reveals an individual privy to Gate’s sentiment. Gates may lack a profound connection with Harris but he highly appreciates the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to the climate change initiative. His philanthropic body, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, harbours serious apprehension concerning potential budget slashes on family planning and global health initiatives in the likelihood of Trump’s election, reveal two sources familiar with the foundation.
Gates has mentioned that his contribution was directed towards Future Forward, the leading external fundraising body supporting Harris, according to insiders informed about the matter.