A cloud of accountability now hangs over former U.S. Representative Cori Bush, the Missouri Democrat once celebrated as a firebrand of the progressive 'Squad.' Months before her re-election defeat, Bush actively solicited donations for a non-profit organization she championed as a beacon of grassroots change – 'Poltivist Power Inc.' However, an unsettling paper trail suggests this supposed beacon may have been operating without the most fundamental requirement: official tax-exempt status from the IRS.
Bush, in impassioned fundraising emails, described Poltivist Power Inc. as "a new 501(c)(4) organization uniting grassroots organizing with political strategy to fight oppression." She even appealed for aid for a "tornado fund" following a devastating natural disaster, urging donors: "My team and I are on the ground, and we could use your support. Can we count on you to donate to our tornado fund today so we can continue our relief efforts?"
Yet, for an organization presented as a legitimate 501(c)(4), a simple search for IRS records reveals a stark absence. Fox News Digital could not identify any official documentation indicating Poltivist Power had ever obtained or even claimed the necessary tax-exempt status. This isn't just a bureaucratic oversight; it raises serious questions about whether a sitting member of Congress misled the very donors she sought to help.
The lack of transparency around Poltivist Power is especially concerning given the vacuum of information on its financial activities. Without proper reporting, the true scope of its fundraising remains entirely opaque, leaving the public to wonder where donor contributions truly went.
Bush, who arrived in Congress in 2021, quickly aligned herself with the radical left 'Squad,' including figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar. Her tenure was marked by increasingly controversial stances, particularly her outspoken criticism of the U.S. relationship with Israel amid its conflict with Hamas in Gaza – a position that became a central point in her unsuccessful 2024 primary challenge.
As questions mounted, particularly from Fox News Digital regarding Poltivist Power Inc., Bush remained conspicuously silent, declining to respond to inquiries about donations, IRS filings, or the nature of the organization's activities. This silence, unfortunately, only fuels further speculation.
The organization's digital footprint emerged around the time of the St. Louis area tornado that prompted Bush's fundraising appeals. At the time, she asserted, "The Politivist team is on the ground, providing supplies, checking on families, and showing up for those who've been left behind."
However, the irregularities extend beyond the IRS. Poltivist Power appears to have incorrectly filed paperwork with Delaware’s Department of State and ActBlue Civics, a prominent fundraising platform for Democratic groups. In both instances, the applications required a declared tax-exempt status with the IRS – a status that, bafflingly, still appears to be missing. Despite this, the organization bizarrely remains listed on ActBlue Civics.
Adding another layer of complexity, Bush’s fundraising emails included a carefully worded disclaimer: "Contributions to Politivist Power are not affiliated with Politivist Action PAC and are not political donations." This attempted distinction, while legally crafted, only highlights the murky waters surrounding the organization's true purpose and oversight.
The numerous anomalies have now officially caught the attention of Missouri Attorney General Catherine L. Hanaway. Her office has launched an investigation to determine whether former Representative Bush personally benefited from the funds raised during the tornado recovery efforts and the purported work of Poltivist Power. "The investigation started when a local news station reported that people had reported to it that contributions they had made for a tornado relief fund had actually gone to her political activity," Hanaway confirmed in a statement.
"We do not have our own evidence of that, but that is what we are investigating," the Attorney General added, emphasizing the gravity of the allegations while adhering to the legal process.
While Bush has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing, the ongoing investigation and the glaring absence of proper regulatory filings paint a troubling picture. This saga serves as a crucial reminder that public trust and accountability are paramount, especially when elected officials solicit funds for purportedly charitable causes. Americans expect their leaders, regardless of their political stripe, to operate with integrity and transparency – a standard that appears to be sorely lacking in the case of Poltivist Power Inc. and its former 'Squad' champion.
