Actions Speak Louder Than Words  

Many of the largest companies in the United States, from banks, airlines, and retail giants, to the biggest tech firms and telecoms, have made the monumental decision this week to put their money where their mouths are. That is, to suspend or completely end political campaign donations in the aftermath of the riots at the U.S. Capitol last week.

While it‘s common for CEOs to take to social media platforms to condemn acts of violence or weigh in on political unrest, pausing or altogether stopping their company‘s political funding practices is a substantial step further. The moves are demonstrating that these companies, faced with mounting pressures from their employees and customers, are no longer willing to sit idly by. For reference, Republican candidates and committees received a total of $205 million in campaign donations from corporate political action committees, (PACs) while Democratic candidates and causes received $155 million in 2020, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Some companies have made it clear that they are suspending donations made to Republican representatives that voted against certifying President-Elect Joe Biden’s win last week, while other companies are freezing all their political funding until further notice. Eight Republican senators and 139 House members voted against certifying Biden’s win in the early hours of Jan. 7, following the violent and deadly riots at the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Here are 10 tech and telecom giants that are suspending or completely stopping political donations as a result of last weeks’ riot in Washington, D.C.