Screenshot / YouTube, MSNBC, Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

Gun control activist David Hogg’s financial prosperity is evident in the substantial donations flowing into his political action committee (PAC), according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records.

Hogg’s PAC, however, has faced scrutiny over its financial allocations. Instead of directing funds towards electoral campaigns, a substantial portion of the millions raised has been diverted to cover lavish expenses, including travel bills, political consultancy fees, and legal expenses, Breitbart reports.

Hogg established the Leaders We Deserve PAC, aiming to propel Generation Z politicians into offices nationwide, in the aftermath of the 2022 midterm elections.

Hogg laid the foundation for what he described as a pivotal movement in American politics in collaboration with Kevin Lata, campaign manager for Representative Maxwell Frost (D-FL).

Hogg emphasized the significance of the group’s launch, citing the emergence of a progressive “social movement” during the Trump administration. The gun control activist highlighted the diverse causes embraced by this movement, including the Women’s March, March for Our Lives, environmental advocacy, and racial justice activism during an interview with NPR.

“For every year of Trump’s presidency, I think there was a new chapter of a social movement that was born, whether it was the Women’s March, March for Our Lives, the environmental movement, or the movement for Black Lives,” he said.

The FEC’s year-end 2023 filing revealed the PAC’s impressive financial prowess, reporting total receipts exceeding $3 million. Major contributions came from a diverse array of high-profile donors, including filmmaker Alexander Adell, Tusk Holdings CEO Bradley Tusk, and philanthropist Barbara Weitz, among others.

Out of the $3 million raised in its inaugural year, the PAC disbursed a mere $263,000 towards its professed mission of bolstering Generation Z candidates and contributing to Democratic Party committees.

A significant portion, exceeding $1.4 million, was instead directed towards self-disbursements, political consultancy firms, legal expenses, and extravagant travel and entertainment expenses.

The scale of financial allocation towards consultancy firms and legal fees, amounting to over $1.3 million, raises pertinent questions regarding the PAC’s financial stewardship. Moreover, personal expenses for travel, entertainment, and meals, totaling nearly $36,000, further accentuate the divergence from the purported mission.

Hogg and Lata themselves received substantial compensation, with Hogg receiving close to $40,000 in payroll payments, and Lata surpassing $50,000. While these payments may not represent full annual salaries, they nonetheless highlight the considerable financial remuneration associated with their roles in managing the PAC.

The PAC’s contributions to electoral campaigns remain limited, with only approximately $235,000 directed towards actual candidates in 2023. The Committee to Elect Sylvia Swain, a notable beneficiary, received significant disbursements, albeit with minimal electoral impact, as evidenced by Swain’s defeat in the primary election.

While the PAC did extend donations to various Democrat Party committees and affiliated groups, the total sum amounted to just over $28,000. A closer examination of FEC records underscores a significant disparity between fundraising promises and actual disbursements.

The PAC also received substantial transfers from another PAC in which Hogg is involved, known as Ban Assault Weapons Now! This group, stemming from Hogg’s prominence following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018, marked his initial venture into the political arena.

The bulk of the PAC’s contributions came from major donors, including high-profile individuals like former President Bill Clinton’s Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick and Harvard economics professor Arthur Segel.