Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has come under fire after financial records exposed huge payments he has been funneling to his stepson, David Driscoll.
A financial paper trail revealed that Driscoll has received an estimated $800,000 since 2018 through the Sanders Institute.
The “nonprofit” was founded by the senator’s wife, Jane O’Meara Sanders.
Driscoll serves as the executive director of the Sanders Institute.
According to public filings, Driscoll was paid approximately $150,000 in 2023.
The organization, registered as a 501(c)(3), brings in between $200,000 and $300,000 annually through contributions and grants.
The records raise questions about where the money is going.
After the organization pays Driscoll’s salary, along with other staff and operations, there wouldn’t be much left to fund its stated cause.
The Sanders Institute was co-founded by the socialist senator’s wife and her son Driscoll in 2017.
It describes its mission as promoting “progressive voices” and revitalizing democratic engagement.
Jane Sanders told The Washington Post:
“The purpose is to revitalize democracy in the support of progressive institutions.
“Our feeling is at our point in time, our country is at a crossroads, and people are engaged in a political process that can be opaque.”
“A vital democracy requires an informed electorate, civil discourse, and bold thinking,” she added.
“So we put together this team to focus on issues, but not in a partisan way, not in a way that just focuses on the latest crazy thing.
“It will not be about Trump; it will be about the issues facing the country.”
Despite its stated goals, the nonprofit’s 2021 tax filings show that nearly 40% of its revenue went toward salaries.
Meanwhile, it did not list any specific accomplishments or projects.
The organization’s small revenue base and sizable salary for Driscoll have attracted attention from watchdog groups and critics.
Adding to the scrutiny, records from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) show that in 2023, Bernie Sanders’ campaign committee transferred $200,000 to the Sanders Institute.
The payment was not publicly announced and drew criticism for its timing.
It came as Sanders continued his public criticism of corporate and political influence in government.
Meanwhile, the revelations have emerged as Sanders continues his nationwide “Fighting Oligarchy” tour.
Joined by champagne socialists such as Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), the tour promotes economic “reforms” and frequently speaks out against what multimillionaire Sanders calls “the billionaire class” and the concentration of wealth in America.
Millionaire Bernie Sanders Rails Against Billionaires: “How Much Money Do You Need?” pic.twitter.com/N8UFH9yujT
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) March 24, 2025
The tour is linked to Sanders’ most recent book, which criticizes capitalism and economic inequality.
Tickets for the lucrative book tour reportedly cost as much as $95 per person.
While Sanders has long positioned himself as a champion for working-class Americans, recent financial disclosures have reignited debate over his personal wealth.
According to financial statements, Sanders has amassed a net worth of over $3 million during his time in public office.
Sanders, who owns three homes, largely made his fortune through book deals and investments.
Driscoll has been affiliated with the Sanders Institute since its founding.
He has been on the organization’s payroll since at least 2018.
While there are no laws prohibiting family members from working in nonprofits, the financial relationship between Sanders’ campaign, his family, and the nonprofit raises questions about potential conflicts of interest.
