Toyota has resumed donations to Republicans who objected to certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election.
The car manufacturer came under fire in 2021 after it emerged that in the months after the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, it had donated $55,000 to approximately three dozen Republicans who had challenged the certification. This made Toyota the largest corporate donor to lawmakers who contested the election result.
Media pressure prompted Toyota to announce in July 2021 that it would no longer donate to Republicans who opposed election certification. The company has now reversed course and resumed donations to certain Republican objectors, Popular Information reveals.
Read Also: Toyota Halts Donations To Congress Members That Opposed 2020 Elections Certification
A number of Republicans have recently received donations from Toyota. For example, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski has received donations, despite voting to overturn the election results on January 6 and signing an amicus brief supporting a Supreme Court case to throw out millions of votes. She also voted against impeaching former President Donald Trump for his actions on January 6.
Other Republican objectors, namely Congressman David Kustoff, Congressman Trent Kelly, and Congressman Garret Graves, have all recently received donations from Toyota.
Toyota confirmed in a statement that it had indeed resumed the controversial donations “[a]fter a pause of six months, during which time Toyota had extensive discussions with internal and external stakeholders.” The automaker added that it “will not support those who, by their words and actions, create an atmosphere that incites violence.”
A statement from The Lincoln Project on @Toyota broken promise to cut off contributions to seditionists who tried to overturn the 2020 election. Toyota must answer for their continued support of seditionists like @andybiggs4az, who helped plan the January 6th attack. pic.twitter.com/gJeU3omLOC
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) April 25, 2022
In response to this news, The Lincoln Project announced that it will resume an advertising campaign targeting Toyota for resuming its donations. The political action committee (PAC) had been instrumental in getting Toyota to halt its donations last year.
“Toyota broke its promise and rejoin the sedition caucus,” The Lincoln Project co-founder Reed Galen said in a statement. “Companies like Toyota benefit from the free markets that are protected by our democratic institutions, but they’re endorsing and supporting Big Lie politicians who backed the violent attack on the Capitol.”
