Independent presidential candidate and progressive scholar Cornel West brushed off criticism on Thursday over Republican billionaire donor Harlan Crow's contributions to his 2024 campaign.
A Crow spokesperson confirmed to the Washington Examiner that the megadonor had donated $3,300, the maximum amount allowed, to West's campaign in August just before he changed from a Green Party candidate to an independent run and during the third quarter fundraising period.
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"As an independent candidate and a free Black man, I accept donations within the limits of no PACs or corporate interest groups that have strings attached. I am unbought and unbossed," West said about Crow's donations.
"Despite my deep political differences with brother Harlan Crow (who is an anti-Trump Republican), I’ve known him in a non-political setting for some years and I pray for his precious family," West continued. "I find it hypocritical for those who highlight his $3300 donation to my campaign but can’t say a mumbling word about the PAC-driven billion dollars to support the genocidal attack in Gaza sponsored by their candidate!"
As an independent candidate and a free Black man, I accept donations within the limits of no PACs or corporate interest groups that have strings attached. I am unbought and unbossed. Despite my deep political differences with brother Harlan Crow (who is an anti-Trump Republican),…
— Cornel West (@CornelWest) October 19, 2023
Crow has been spotlighted by ProPublica for his close relationship and gifts to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, prompting criticism from congressional Democrats for ethics rules for the high court. The billionaire donor has donated to other candidates seeking the presidency including former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL).
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West joined the 2024 race in June as a candidate with the People’s Party, a progressive third-party group but earlier this month he announced he was running as an independent, his second time switching party affiliation.
Democrats have feared that West's run and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s independent bid could help spoil President Joe Biden's election bid. A Quinnipiac University poll released this month showed Biden easily beating all Democratic primary rivals at 70%, but a hypothetical matchup against former President Donald Trump showed 47% of voters supported Trump, while 45% supported Biden.
Julia Johnson contributed to this report.