Just another great example of dumb fucking people spending WAY too much money on a bullshit festival so they can take Instagram photos which mean absolutely nothing, all while funding billionaires who then donate that money to fascists so they can continue making billions without paying taxes. That’s the long and short of it, anyways.
Here is how it works: Coachella is run by Anschutz Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of The Anschutz Corporation, which is owned by right-wing billionaire Philip Anschutz. Money from The Anschutz Corporation’s treasury, which includes the profits from Coachella, is funneled directly to right-wing organizations that support key politicians funding ICE, undermining LGBTQ rights, and restricting abortion.
Republican governors have been signing legislation and taking other action to require local law enforcement to assist in ICE deportation raids. This has been a key lever to accelerate ICE’s crackdown.
The Anschutz Corporation donated $125,000 to the Republican Governors Association (RGA) on April 3, 2025.
The company also donated $125,000 to the RGA in 2024, $100,000 in 2023, and $100,000 in 2022. (The RGA, which is organized as a 527 organization, has not yet had to disclose any 2026 donations.) This money is used to ensure as many Republicans as possible are elected. Over the same time period, the Anschutz Corporation has not donated any money to the Democratic Governors Association.
The Anschutz Corporation donated $100,000 to the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) on April 1, 2025. This is the company’s first donation to RAGA since 2022, when it donated $125,000. Democratic attorneys general are fighting the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in court, but The Anschutz Corporation has not donated any funds to the Democratic Attorneys General Association.
The Republican-controlled Congress has provided tens of billions of dollars in additional funding for ICE. The Anschutz Corporation donated $250,000 to the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), a Super PAC devoted to maintaining Republican control of the Senate, on April 3, 2025. The company donated $500,000 to the SLF in 2024 and $500,000 in 2023. In 2023 and 2024, The Anschutz Corporation donated a combined $375,000 to the Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF), the Super PAC supporting Republicans in the House. If Republicans lose control of either the House or the Senate, it will be much more difficult for the Trump administration to fund its immigration crackdown. The Anschutz Corporation has not donated any money to Super PACs supporting the election of Democrats.
Candidates and officials who are supported by RGA, RAGA, SLF, and CLF have also worked to undermine other issues important to Carpenter, including LGBTQ rights. Republican governors signed dozens of anti-LGBTQ laws last year, Republican attorneys general are filing lawsuits to restrict LGBTQ rights, and Republicans in Congress are pushing anti-LGBTQ legislation.
All this is basically happening, all while people like Sabrina Carpenter and Justin Beiber who have been outspoken against Republicans and ICE are more than happy to accept a payday from Coachella, so I guess their wallets are in fact more important than their morals and ethics. Add to that list Karly Hartzman of Wednesday (an indie band), who closed their 2026 Coachella set by declaring, “Fuck ICE’ and free Palestine.” David Byrne, the lead singer of Talking Heads, projected images of anti-ICE protests as he performed the song, “Life During Wartime”. All of these artists, and others who have made similar statements, are now generating profits for Anschutz, which he is using to support MAGA politicians. Perhaps they just didn’t know? Or, they just talk out of both sides of their mouths. Neither would surprise me – but, considering the history and multiple reports about The Anschutz Corporation, at this point I’d just call them ignorant if they aren’t aware.
In 2022, Popular Information reported on The Anschutz Corporation’s support of RAGA in light of the group’s efforts to restrict abortion rights. Representatives of The Anschutz Corporation told Popular Information the donations should not be considered an endorsement of the organization’s views on any issue. “Mr. Anschutz makes contributions to numerous organizations, usually for specific reasons,” a spokesperson said. “He does not review or support each of the positions taken by such organizations.”
In 2017, Anschutz faced scrutiny after his foundation donated to anti-LGBTQ groups, including the Alliance Defending Freedom and the Family Research Council. Anschutz claims he doesn’t fund these groups anymore, which is just more billionaire bullshit because he just continues to support groups like the RGA and RAGA, which support politicians who are restricting LGBTQ rights.
Enjoy your shitty festival, you basic fucks.