The Federal Election Commission (FEC), which has two commissioners previously nominated by President Donald Trump, dismissed a complaint by Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign alleging that The Washington Post made “illegal corporate in-kind contributions” to then-Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign.
The ruling was decided in late-February, with the filing made public on Thursday.
Newsweek has reached out to the legal team representing Trump’s presidential campaign for comment via email on Thursday.
Why It Matters
Two of the commissioners who rejected the Trump presidential campaign’s claim were nominated to the post by Trump during his first term.
The bipartisan ruling comes as Trump has implemented media changes affecting the press pool and access. He has frequently used the phrase “fake news” to dismiss unfavorable coverage and has been outspoken in his support for and criticism of specific outlets.
The ruling also finds common ground among parties, which have been increasingly divisive in recent weeks.
What To Know
Trump appointees Allen Dickerson and James “Trey” Trainor III joined two Democrats in a 4-0 FEC ruling which disagreed with the then-Republican presidential campaign’s claim that The Washington Post conducted a “dark money corporate campaign in opposition” to Trump, “using its own online advertising efforts to promote Kamala Harris’s presidential candidacy.”
Trainor, who specializes in election law and campaign finance law and ethics, previously served as Trump’s 2016 campaign attorney. He was nominated to the FEC post in 2020.
The ruling was determined on February 24 but was released publicly today.
The complaint, which was originally filed on October 31, 2024, just ahead of the election, asserted that “a reasonable interference that The Washington Post made, and Harris for President accepted, an illegal corporate contribution in the form of coordinated communications.”
The Post has repeatedly maintained its innocence, with a November filing on behalf of The Post stating that the “allegations in the complaints are speculative and demonstrably false” and arguing, “The Post’s promotion of its political coverage is protected by the First Amendment.”
Acting general counsel Lisa Stevenson said in a January 31, 2025, report, “This matter is rated as low priority for Commission action after application of these pre-established criteria. Given that low rating and the apparent applicability of the press exemption, we recommend that the Commission dismiss the Complaint, consistent with the Commission’s prosecutorial discretion to determine the proper ordering of its priorities and use of agency resources.”
Stevenson’s report was included in a file sent to the Trump campaign’s legal team.
(L): James “Trey” Trainor III, member of the Federal Election Commission prepares to testify during the House Administration Committee hearing on “Oversight of the Federal Election Commission” in the Longworth House Office Building on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. (R): Allen Dickerson, member of the Federal Election Commission prepares to testify during the House Administration Committee hearing on “Oversight of the Federal Election Commission” in the Longworth House Office Building on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.
Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images
What Happens Next?
In addition to dismissing the complaint, the decision also ordered to “close the file effective 30 days from the date the certification of this vote is signed.” Today, March 27, is 30 days since the ruling, thus the file is closed.
