Exclusive | Tom Steyer shelled out $310K to Jane Fonda PAC before landing her endorsement
Billionaire Tom Steyer is under fire for paying boatloads of cash to Gen Z social media influencers — and also shelled out six figures to a PAC tied to Jane Fonda, one of his biggest Hollywood cheerleaders, campaign filings reveal.The legendary liberal actress is out in force for the billionaire hedge funder, rallying with Steyer at a Los Angeles campaign event on May 7 and even cutting an ad for his $130 million campaign, which has shattered spending records in a California governor’s race.
“Progressives like me trust Tom,” Fonda declared in a campaign ad published April 21.Before the “Barbarella” star was praising Steyer on camera, she netted $310,000 from the self-styled populist billionaire.
Steyer kicked in a cool $260,000 to Fonda’s political action committee, Jane Fonda Climate PAC, between March and May 2024, according to federal campaign filings.Fonda’s PAC cashed another $50,000 from Steyer in 2022 — and another $30,000 came from Steyer’s wife Kat Taylor in 2023 and 2024.
“Jane Fonda Climate PAC endorsed Tom Steyer solely because he is ready and willing to stand up to the fossil fuel industry and fight for a livable future,” Fonda’s PAC said in an email.“Tom has a long record of climate advocacy, he supports making polluters pay and is unequivocal in his support for transitioning away from fossil fuels.”The resurfaced financial link between Hollywood activist Fonda and Steyer come as the billionaire faces accusations of buying online influence.
Social media creators blasted Steyer for allegedly deceptive tactics after he paid influencers, including Isaiah Washington and Carlos Eduardo Espina, to promote his campaign without clearly disclosing the paid placements.Washington netted $10,000 from Steyer before nuking his account, and Uruguayan American activist Espina was paid $100,000 to shill for Steyer, which he called “advising,” the New York Times reported.
“Creators deserve to be fairly compensated for their work...