Samsung's Political Donations: Unveiling The Corporate Campaign Trail

Samsung Electronics America has made Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions to federal candidates. However, it is important to note that the organization itself did not donate, but rather the money came from the organization's PACs, individual members, employees or owners, and their immediate family members. Organizations themselves cannot contribute to candidates and party committees. As of December 9, 2024, Samsung Group has not reported any outside spending in the 2024 election cycle.

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Samsung Group's political donations

While Samsung, as an organization, has not reported any direct spending in the 2024 election cycle, its PACs, individual members, employees, owners, and their immediate family members have contributed to political causes. These contributions are typically in the form of monetary donations to candidates, parties, and committees, as well as lobbying efforts to influence policies and public opinion.

The data on Samsung's political donations is based on contributions of $200 or more, as reported to the Federal Election Commission. These contributions are made during election cycles, with each cycle representing a two-year period. For instance, the 2002 election cycle covers the period from January 1, 2001, to December 2002.

While Samsung's PACs are active in the political arena, the company itself is also committed to community initiatives. Since 2015, Samsung executives have participated in Covenant House's annual Executive Sleep Out to raise awareness and experience the challenges of youth homelessness. Additionally, Samsung has been a long-time supporter of Techbridge Girls, partnering to inspire girls from low-income communities to pursue STEM through relevant programs.

Samsung's Political Action Committees (PACs)

OpenSecrets, an organization dedicated to tracking money in American politics, provides insights into Samsung's PAC activities. According to OpenSecrets, Samsung Electronics America has made PAC contributions to federal candidates. These contributions are based on donations of $200 or more from PACs and individuals to federal candidates and political parties, as reported to the Federal Election Commission.

Samsung's PACs have been active in various election cycles, with data available for cycles such as 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2002. It is worth noting that election cycles represent two-year periods; for example, the 2002 cycle covers January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002. Soft money contributions, which were not publicly disclosed before the 1991-1992 cycle, were banned after the 2002 cycle.

The influence of PACs and "dark money" groups in politics is a significant concern. "Dark money" groups spend millions of dollars on elections without disclosing their sources of funding. While Samsung's PACs do not fall into this category, understanding the broader context of political donations and their impact on democracy is essential.

Samsung's PACs and their contributions to political campaigns demonstrate the company's engagement in the political process. While the specific recipients of Samsung's PAC donations are not publicly available, organizations like OpenSecrets provide valuable insights into the flow of money in American politics, helping to strengthen democracy and transparency.

Individual donors and subsidiaries

Samsung Group has not reported any outside spending in the 2024 election cycle. However, the organisation's Political Action Committees (PACs), individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate family members have contributed to political campaigns.

Samsung Electronics America, for example, has made PAC contributions to federal candidates. These contributions are based on donations of $200 or more from PACs and individuals to federal candidates and from PAC, individual and soft-money donors to political parties.

Samsung employees in the United States also devote their time and talents to helping individuals and organisations in need. Samsung executives have joined Covenant House's annual Executive Sleep Out to experience what 2 million youth across the US go through every night—homelessness. Samsung has also been a supporter of Techbridge Girls since 2014, with the aim of inspiring girls from low-income, under-resourced communities to discover their passion for STEM through gender and culturally relevant programs.

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Samsung's donations to federal candidates

Samsung Electronics America's political action committees (PACs) made contributions to federal candidates in the 2019-2020 election cycle, totalling $297,000. The organisation itself did not donate; the money came from its PACs, individual members or employees, owners, and those individuals' immediate family members. Organisations themselves cannot contribute to candidates and party committees.

The numbers are based on contributions of $200 or more from PACs and individuals to federal candidates. While election cycles are shown in charts as 1996, 1998, 2000, etc., they represent two-year periods. For instance, the 2002 election cycle runs from January 1, 2001, to December 2002. Soft money contributions were not publicly disclosed until the 1991-92 election cycle, and donations to parties were banned after the 2002 cycle.

Samsung Group has not reported any outside spending in the 2024 election cycle, with contributions totalling $576,208 and lobbying expenses of $5,690,000.

Lobbying activity and influence

Samsung Group spent $6,980,000 on lobbying in 2024, according to OpenSecrets, which researches money in US politics and its impact on elections and public policy. This was a significant increase from the $5.8 million the company spent on lobbying in the US in 2022, its highest lobbying expenditure up to that point.

Samsung, like many other major companies, hires lobbyists and public affairs specialists to gain insights into the administration's thinking on matters that directly affect its business. For example, when former President Trump took office, Samsung reportedly looked to replace its head of public affairs in North America with someone who had deeper ties to Trump's political machine. The company was concerned about potential changes in chip sanctions that could affect its business with customers in China, as well as import tariffs that could increase costs for US companies buying from Samsung.

OpenSecrets also provides information on campaign contributions and lobbying activity by thousands of corporations, trade associations, labour unions, nonprofits, and advocacy groups. It tracks money flowing in and out of political action committees (PACs) and the influence of ""dark money" groups that spend millions on elections without disclosing the source of their funds.

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