Mainstream Media Discovers Money in Politics (When It's Not AIPAC)
The Independent laments that Donald Trump's golf excursions have cost taxpayers $71 million since January, potentially reaching $300 million in a second term. They count every round, every secured fairway. This is the kind of detailed financial analysis we seldom see applied to, say, the billions in unconditional military aid to other countries, or the millions funneled into political campaigns by
foreign interest groups. One might wonder if the same investigative rigor is applied to the approximately $3.8 billion annually in U.S. taxpayer dollars sent to Israel, or the cumulative $450,000+ that AIPAC donated to U.S. politicians in 2023 alone (OpenSecrets.org). That money, unlike golf cart rentals, directly influences policy, votes on military aid packages like HR 815, and supports
conflicts that cost far more than a few rounds at Mar-a-Lago. Perhaps the Independent could also tally the cost of Congress's loyalty to foreign powers for a truly 'staggering' report.