Prominent progressive politicians, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed, continue to utilize ActBlue for campaign fundraising despite ongoing congressional investigations into the platform's alleged failure to prevent illegal foreign and fraudulent donations.
ActBlue, a major online fundraising platform primarily serving Democratic candidates, committees, and progressive organizations, has processed over $19 billion in donations since its founding in 2004. The platform describes itself as a grassroots fundraising tool designed to counter the influence of "dark money special interests."
Republican lawmakers have raised concerns about ActBlue's vulnerability to fraud and foreign contributions. House committees have been investigating the platform's fraud prevention practices since 2023, examining whether its safeguards are adequate. An interim staff report from April 2025 cited internal ActBlue records indicating the detection of 237 donations from foreign IP addresses using domestic prepaid cards within a 30-day period in late 2024, a pattern the committees suggested is a leading indicator of fraud. ActBlue has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
The congressional investigation remains active, and ActBlue has not been found to have violated campaign finance laws or been prohibited from processing donations.
Donor Dispute Fuels Scrutiny
Renewed attention on ActBlue has been partly fueled by a viral video featuring an 88-year-old Michigan woman, Elizabeth Waffle, who disputed nearly $150,000 in political donations attributed to her in federal campaign finance records. Waffle acknowledged using ActBlue for donations but stated the attributed amount was incorrect and "very abnormal."
Federal Election Commission records reviewed by Fox News Digital show over 16,000 contributions totaling nearly $150,000 attributed to an Elizabeth Waffle of Milan, Michigan, between September 2020 and June 2026. The same records also show 47 ActBlue contributions totaling approximately $518 attributed to Waffle for El-Sayed's campaign between October 2025 and July 2026. Waffle was interviewed outside her trailer after her home burned down two years prior.
ActBlue stated that it has "zero tolerance for fraud or other illegal activity" and that its fraud prevention measures meet or exceed legal requirements. The organization has characterized the investigations as politically motivated.
Ongoing Investigation and Platform Use
House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil confirmed that Waffle's case is part of the broader investigation into ActBlue. During a June hearing, current and former ActBlue employees, including CEO Regina Wallace-Jones, invoked the Fifth Amendment numerous times when questioned by lawmakers about the platform's fraud prevention practices and handling of potentially fraudulent donations. Wallace-Jones has not been charged with any crime.
ActBlue continues to process donations for high-profile campaigns and organizations, including the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and numerous progressive groups. Candidates such as Rep. Ilhan Omar and Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong also continue to use the platform for fundraising.
The Republican National Committee has called for Democratic candidates to explain their continued reliance on ActBlue amid the ongoing investigations and donor disputes.