Sen. Ted Cruz's podcast and iHeartMedia's payments to a super PAC supporting his re-election campaign
Sen. Ted Cruz lashed out at a reporter for asking about the money iHeartMedia has poured into a super PAC supporting his re-election campaign. Cruz claims he doesn't receive compensation for his podcast despite iHeartMedia's payments to the PAC.
Key Points
- iHeartMedia has sent over $630,000 to the Truth and Courage PAC supporting Cruz's re-election campaign
- Experts suggest the payments blur ethical lines under Senate rules and campaign finance laws
- A watchdog group filed a complaint alleging Cruz violated rules by receiving gifts from iHeartMedia, but the Senate Ethics Committee dismissed the complaint
- Cruz claims he volunteers his time for the podcast and is not compensated
Pros
- Cruz's podcast has gained a devoted audience
- The podcast is carried on 850 radio stations
Cons
- Questions raised about potential ethical violations due to iHeartMedia's payments to the super PAC supporting Cruz