Amid heated debate over the outcome of the presidential election and the riots that occurred at the U.S. Capitol building on Jan 6., some companies seem to be trying to avoid raising the left’s ire by distancing themselves from those who back Trump’s questioning of the race. At first glance, these actions might seem to show how much power the left has over American society. But good old-fashioned cynicism is likely the operative factor in this equation.

Corporate America Gets ‘Woke’

At least 30 companies publicly announced their intent to cease donations to Republican lawmakers who objected to some of the presidential election results. Some cited the violence at the Capitol building during the electoral vote certification ceremony. Others took issue with the idea that a member of Congress would challenge any of the results whatsoever.

The Hill published a list of each company declaring its halting of funding for Republican politicians. The list includes Marriott, Amazon, Best Buy, Dell, AT&T, American Express, and more. Interestingly enough, most of the companies gave time limits on their donation hiatuses.

Dow Chemical said it would suspend contributions “to any member of Congress who voted to object to the certification of the presidential election” for one election cycle. The Walt Disney Company said it would withhold political contributions for 2021 to Republican politicians who supported Trump. “The insurrection at the Capitol was a direct assault on one of our country’s most revered tenets: the peaceful transition of power,” the company stressed.

Others announced that they would cease all giving temporarily. These businesses include American Airlines, Deloitte, Raytheon, and others. But will their newfound stinginess have any long-term impact?

Should the GOP Be Worried?

While the lack of these donations could hurt some of the Republican lawmakers who will be defending their seats in 2022 and 2024, it is unlikely to have a devastating long-term impact. Indeed, it is apparent that these companies are merely trying to capitalize on current events and the highly charged news cycle.

It would not be surprising if many of these companies lifted their suspension of donations just in time for the midterm elections in two years. It is a trend that has played out many times over America’s history. A hot-button issue gets more play in the media. Corporate America gets a brand-new sense of social consciousness and takes a bold stand against the perceived injustice of the moment. Then, when the country is no longer paying attention, they go back to their old ways, like a child pilfering cookies from the jar when Mommy and Daddy are once again distracted.

Once it does, you can be sure that each of these supposed insurrectionist Republican lawmakers will be drinking from the hose of corporate largesse once again. After all, they still have campaigns to fund, don’t they?

~

Read more from Jeff Charles.