Big Firms’ Aid to Clinton Foundation Draws Pre-2016 Scrutiny

Twenty-nine of the 30 companies listed in the Dow Jones Industrial Average have donated money or in-kind support to the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation or its philanthropic offshoots, according to Bloomberg.

Twenty-five Dow-listed firms have contributed directly to Clinton-led charities and 27 have participated in Clinton Global Initiative projects. Many also responded to requests from the State Department to invest in global development and other efforts during Hillary Clinton’s tenure as secretary of state.

The foundation’s ties to major corporations that also spend hundreds of millions of dollars on Washington lobbying are drawing scrutiny from consumer and campaign watchdog groups as Ms. Clinton weighs a 2016 presidential bid. Critics say the links offer an avenue to influence for companies with policy interests. Clinton allies say the foundation and its affiliates utilize the family’s “power to convene” to government, business, and philanthropy together to tackle domestic and global problems.