Meghan and Harry’s Archewell Foundation Fuels Political Spending Spree, Sparking Controversy
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, find themselves embroiled in a new controversy surrounding their Archewell Foundation’s financial activities. Documents reviewed by the New York Post reveal a significant portion of the foundation’s funds have been directed towards Democrat-aligned organizations and operatives, raising questions about the couple’s political leanings and the propriety of their spending. The revelations come amid heightened tensions between Harry and former President Donald Trump, further fueling speculation about the couple’s political motivations.
At the center of the controversy is a series of substantial donations made by Archewell. The most notable is a $250,000 contribution to the Women’s Wellness Space, a charity founded by Ashley Biden, daughter of President Joe Biden. The donation, made in 2023 before the charity officially opened its doors, represents the largest single disbursement by the foundation in recent years. While the Women’s Wellness Space focuses on supporting women affected by trauma, its connection to the current president’s family has drawn criticism.
Further fueling the political fire is Archewell’s significant investment in Joire Craig, a prominent Democratic operative specializing in "countering disinformation." Craig received $146,500 from the foundation in 2023, following a $120,000 payment the previous year. Her background includes a vice president role at Greenberg, Quinlan and Rosner, a political research firm known for its digital strategies during the 2020 presidential election, including efforts to address concerns surrounding Joe Biden’s age and family. Critics argue that funding a political strategist known for her work with the Democratic Party blurs the lines between charitable giving and political activism.
The Archewell Foundation’s spending spree extends beyond individual operatives and includes donations to other organizations with Democratic ties. Markup News Inc., a non-profit backed by prominent Democrat donor George Soros and Craigslist founder Craig Newmark, received $90,000 from Archewell. Additionally, the Mercy Lab School in Brooklyn, where Craig joined the board in 2023, received a $25,000 donation in 2022. These contributions, coupled with the significant payments to Craig, paint a picture of consistent financial support directed towards the Democratic ecosystem.
The timing of these revelations is particularly sensitive, coinciding with a public spat between Prince Harry and former President Trump. Trump recently commented on Harry’s immigration status, stating that he wouldn’t seek deportation for the prince, quipping that "he’s got enough problems with his wife." This exchange, coupled with Prince William’s meeting with Trump shortly before Christmas, adds another layer of complexity to the narrative surrounding the Sussexes’ political leanings. While William, the future King of England, engaged with Trump in a seemingly cordial manner, Harry and Meghan’s financial support for Democrat-aligned causes suggests a stark contrast in political viewpoints within the royal family.
The controversy has sparked calls for greater scrutiny of the Archewell Foundation’s activities. Nile Gardiner, a fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, expressed concern about the couple’s involvement in political activities, particularly given their retention of royal titles. He argued that such engagement is "outrageous" and called for Congressional investigation into the donations. In response, a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan defended the foundation’s spending, emphasizing that the couple did not endorse any candidate in the 2024 presidential election. They characterized criticisms as "misguided" and reiterated the Duke and Duchess’s commitment to investing in impactful initiatives. However, the substantial financial support directed towards Democrat-linked causes continues to raise questions and fuel the ongoing debate. The Archewell Foundation has not yet provided further comment on the matter, leaving many questions unanswered and the controversy far from resolved.