A political action committee that supported Kamala Harris’s campaign faces scrutiny after it allegedly solicited donations linked to the shooting of Alex Pretti, just hours after his death at the hands of Border Patrol agents. The incident raises serious questions about the PAC’s ethics and timing in fundraising efforts amidst a tragedy.
Reports indicate that a text message fundraising campaign started with the words, “Alex Pretti is the limit,” urging recipients to “Stand with us! Donate $50 for 200% MATCH.” This message created a firestorm on social media shortly after being posted. It linked to a donation page for the Democratic Youth Wave PAC, hosted by ActBlue, a major Democratic fundraising platform. However, within a day of the text circulating, both the fundraising page and the PAC’s official site vanished from the internet.
When the Daily Caller News Foundation investigated the situation, the PAC’s site had already gone offline, redirecting users to a Wix.com error page. Earlier that morning, the donation link in the message had led to a notice stating, “This fundraiser is not currently accepting any donations,” further complicating efforts to determine whether contributions were accepted at the time of the campaign.
Not only did the text solicit donations, but it also called for the state’s Democratic governor, Tim Walz, to “END THE OPERATION,” signaling support for calls to reduce immigration enforcement in Minnesota, which has faced scrutiny over issues of corruption. John Hagner, a partner at a Minneapolis analytics firm, highlighted the inappropriateness of the PAC’s actions, declaring that any associates involved should “quit your job today.” His strong statement reflects a broader concern about exploiting sensitive moments for political gain.
ActBlue responded to Hagner’s criticism a few hours later, downplaying their role by stating they are merely a tech platform that does not control what campaigns communicate. They assured Hagner that their team is working to address what they termed “exploitative practices.” Hagner countered, emphasizing the long-standing damage this type of fundraising can do to reputable campaigns.
The Democratic Youth Wave PAC’s history reveals that it primarily backed Harris’s failed presidential bid, contributing significant funds while showing no expenditures for other election cycles since 2000. As of September 30, 2025, the PAC reported a healthy cash reserve of over $1 million; yet, their operational integrity is now under question.
The treasurer of the PAC, Nantambu Foley, has connections to Democratic figures and previously hosted a political podcast, indicating a potentially controversial background. However, Foley’s linked online profiles have either been removed or are no longer accessible, which adds to the transparency concerns surrounding the PAC.
Despite the evident issues, the PAC’s mission declared an ambition to enhance youth voter turnout to create a “strong blue wave,” suggesting a focus on future elections. However, the execution of this mission is called into doubt when fundraising tactics appear to take advantage of tragic events.
The situation exemplifies the ongoing ethical dilemmas faced by political fundraising entities. It highlights how quickly they can pivot to generate support, even in the wake of events that affect individuals and communities. The fallout from this fundraising tactic will likely influence how voters perceive such organizations in the future.
In the aftermath, Democratic Youth Wave faces serious credibility issues, and whether it can regain public trust remains uncertain. The online backlash is evident, with open remarks from users calling out the PAC’s approach. This incident serves as a warning for political groups about the risks of dubious timing in solicitation, underscoring the need for sensitivity and responsibility in political communications.
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