Shanahan, a significant donor to Kennedy's campaign, is known for her financial support of progressive causes, including the campaign of Los Angeles district attorney George Gascón (D.) and various soft-on-crime policies in California.
Shanahan, the 38-year-old former spouse of Google cofounder Sergey Brin, contributed $25,000 to Gascón's 2020 campaign. Her donation placed her among the ranks of wealthy progressive supporters such as billionaire George Soros and the wives of Bay Area millionaires, who collectively helped Gascón secure his position. In the same year, Shanahan donated $150,000 to "Reform L.A. Jails," a project funded by the liberal dark money group Tides and chaired by Black Lives Matter cofounder Patrisse Cullors. The project advocated for a Los Angeles ballot initiative in 2020 to defund police and jails, proposing "alternatives to incarceration" instead.
March 28, 2024
In 2016, Shanahan invested $85,000 in a successful California voter initiative that permitted early release of felons and made prosecuting juvenile offenders as adults more challenging. Critics argue that the law's deceptive language may have misled voters into supporting the measure, which has since seen criminals released under its provisions commit violent crimes, including murder.
WATCH: SPEAKER JOHNSON CALLS ON COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT TO RESIGN
Shanahan's progressive track record may pose a challenge for Kennedy in attracting conservative-leaning independents and Republicans considering voting for the independent candidate as an alternative to former President Donald Trump. Current polls suggest that Kennedy's third-party presidential bid could potentially harm President Joe Biden more than Trump. A Washington Post analyst has accused Republicans of attempting to "elevate" Kennedy to undermine Biden.
WATCH GREAT ANALYSIS: THE ABSURDITY OF ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS
Shanahan's financial backing of Kennedy first came to light last month when she revealed to the New York Times that she had invested $4 million in a $7 million Super Bowl advertisement comparing Kennedy to his uncle, former President John F. Kennedy. Since last year, she has made the maximum allowable contributions to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign committee.
A CRYING SHAME: PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTS FORCE USC TO CANCEL PRIMARY GRADUATION EVENT
Shanahan, a long-time Democratic megadonor, supported Hillary Clinton in 2016 and donated over $30,000 to Biden in 2020, after contributing to Marianne Williamson. She is also a regular donor to Silicon Valley Democratic congressman Ro Khanna, according to federal campaign records.
Shanahan made headlines following a Wall Street Journal report alleging that her marriage to Brin ended in 2022 due to an affair with Tesla founder Elon Musk, a claim both Shanahan and Musk have denied.
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
