Hollywood Elite Dish Out Big Bucks to Save Senate

In a final effort to keep the U.S. Senate in Democratic hands, candidates have reportedly looked west for donations and support from Hollywood’s A-listers. 

According to the Hill, James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, and Jerry Seinfeld are just a few of the industry names to donate to the Alison Lundergan Grimes campaign, which is in a heated race against long-serving Kentucky Senator and current Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. All three of them donated the maximum amount an individual can give to one candidate, which is set at $5,200.

It’s no surprise that Tinseltown’s biggest stars are overwhelmingly supportive of liberal causes, but it’s shocking to see such an effort from a long-held constituency who has seen as little positive change as the rest of us. Nonetheless, they continue to bust out their checkbooks.

Actor Nicolas Cage also donated $5,200 to Grimes’ campaign, which comes as a surprise, as he’s had financial problems for quite awhile now. Cage, once a promising actor, seems invested in which party controls the Senate. 

Former Saturday Night Live (SNL) skit comedian Stuart Smalley, or as he is known legally, Al Franken, is also engaged in a reelection campaign in Minnesota, where he is expected to beat Republican businessman Mike McFadden. Franken has received campaign donations from longtime friend David Letterman, Judd Apatow, Nancy Sinatra, and former SNL comedian Will Forte. 

Letterman, who has been a reliable donor for Senator Franken since 2008, donated $5,100 to his campaign. 

The news is not particularly bad news for the GOP, as several big names have made an effort to help their candidates, as well. Former NFL quarterback John Elway donated $7,500 to two political causes. The Denver Broncos general manager gave $5,000 to Cory Gardner’s campaign to unseat incumbent Democrat Mark Udall and $2,500 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee. 

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld donated the campaign maximum of $5,200 to help Alaska Senate candidate Dan Sullivan unseat Democrat Mark Begich, while director Jerry Bruckheimer gave a modest $250 donation to the National Republican Congressional Committee.