Toyota To Stop Funding GOP Members Who Refused to Certifiy the 2020 Election

Last Thursday, automaker Toyota announced it will cease contributions made to Republicans who objected to certifying the presidential election.

After former President Donald Trump and his supporters attempted to cast doubt on the election results in an effort to disrupt the counting of the Electoral College votes, resulting in an insurrection at the Capitol, 147 Republicans voted to object to certify the election.

Among those were Senator Ted Cruz and Rep. Jodey Arrington, Rep. Brian Babin, Rep. Michael C. Burgess, Rep. John R. Carter, Rep. Michael Cloud, Rep. Pat Fallon, Rep. Louie Gohmert, Rep. Lance Gooden, Rep. Ronny Jackson, Rep. Troy Nehls, Rep. August Pflunger, Rep. Pete Sessions, Rep. Beth Van Duyne, Rep. Randy Weber, Rep. Roger Williams, and Rep. Ron Wright.  

Despite this, Toyota continued to contribute to these congressmen, leading to much backlash from the public. The company defended their donations, stating contributions were “based on their position on issues that are important to the auto industry and the company.”

 According to data reported by Axios, Toyota was the top donor to the 147 members of Congress, leading with contributing double what the runner-up, Cubic Corp., did.

The company received much criticism for its decision to continue to contribute to the congress members, particularly from the Lincoln Project, a political action committee dedicated to targeting those who opposed the certification of President Biden’s 2020 victory.

Following an advertisement aimed at Toyota, the automaker announced the political action committee will no longer contribute to the Republican legislators involved.

The company will not seek refunds on previous contributions made.