Kelly Hayes
Publix Super Market chain heiress Julie Jenkins Fancelli contributed nearly $300,000 to the Donald Trump rally at Washington’s Ellipse — the event that preceded the Capitol insurrection, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
Fancelli, a prominent donor to Trump’s reelection campaign and heiress to Publix, helped fund the rally that was organized by a small group of Trump supporters, including controversial, far-right show host Alex Jones.
Jones, who personally pledged more than $50,000 for the event, helped arrange for Fancelli to donate the money.
In a video posted from Washington D.C. on the day of the riots, Jones alluded to a private donor who funded most of the event. It’s clear now who that donor is.
“Thank God a donor came in and paid like 80% of it,” Jones said. “Because it cost close to half a million dollars, with all the equipment, all the stages and the rest of it. Port-a-Potties, you name it.”
1/ #CapitolRiots fueled by #AlexJones’ propaganda.
Alex Jones paid $500K organize the event, admits he was directed by #Trump to lead the crowd to the Capitol.
.@FBI Pls Investigate Free Speech System’s & Trump’s communications, donors & pre-election funding of infowars. pic.twitter.com/32AtbHMRrR
— Kelly Morales (@RealKellyJones) January 7, 2021
Her money paid for the lion’s share of the roughly $500,000 rally at the Ellipse where Trump spoke, according to organizers who spoke to the WSJ.
In a statement released by Publix, the super market chain said, “Mrs. Fancelli is not an employee of Publix Super Markets, and is neither involved in our business operations, nor does she represent the company in any way. We cannot comment on Mrs. Fancelli’s actions.”
In the video, Jones also speaks about leading the march to the Capitol.
Fancelli is a major donor to the GOP — she contributed more than $980,000 in the 2020 election cycle to a joint account for the Trump campaign and Republican Party.
Ali Alexander, another far-right activist and leader of the “Stop the Steal” movement, helped coordinate planning with Caroline Wren, a fundraising official who was paid by the Trump campaign for much of 2020. Wren was also tapped by Fancelli to organize and fund an event on her behalf, according to the WSJ.
Trump urged supporters to march to the U.S. Capitol at the Ellipse rally in an effort to pressure lawmakers against certifying election results in favor of President Joe Biden. It quickly turned violent.
The pro-Trump rally led to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, which resulted in the death of five individuals, including a Capitol Police officer. Two other responding officers later committed suicide.
Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House of Representatives after the riots under the accusation of inciting a mob, with remarks urging supporters to “fight like hell.” A total of 10 Republicans, the most in history to vote for impeaching a President in their own party, voted in favor of impeachment.
25 comments
DisplacedCTYankee
January 30, 2021 at 10:15 am
Filthy-rich heiress of private virtual business monopoly is a Republican? Who would have guessed? (See former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, etc.)
Sam
January 30, 2021 at 10:30 am
As much as I’d like to hate Publix for trump stuff, I can’t because management and the board don’t control what she does, and vice/versa. I will continue to hate Publix because of their wasteful and polluting packaging practices, plastic and styrofoam usage, etc. But regarding monopoly, they have no competition in some areas of Florida because they ran everyone else out by being really good at what they do. So I would urge everyone to only hate Publix for the right reasons, not trump stuff.
James M. Mejuto
January 30, 2021 at 10:31 am
I once was a daily Publix’s shopper but now, I ain’t!
I must admit, after shopping everyday at my local Publix I was spending dearly.
Then, I found-out how corrupt Publix’s is and I stopped shopping there.
As a progressive,I could not justify shopping there and I decided to make a difference. The important way is to shop with our dollars and even changing stores to make a difference.
Groc Shopper
January 30, 2021 at 10:34 am
I think Publix is going to have to make a counter gesture. This is a huge disappointment for long-time customers. I shopped at Tampa’s first Publix.
Steven M Grabarczyk
January 30, 2021 at 10:48 am
Guess you can’t read, she is NO LONGER connected to Publix
Richard
January 30, 2021 at 11:13 am
Boycott!
She may not be connected to Publix any longer, but the Publix clan is still sending big checks to Trump, DeSantis and creeps like Tuberville, Rick Scott, etc.
Sam
January 30, 2021 at 11:51 am
Yes, it appears that people don’t read shit before commenting. How surprising.
Mark Brocker
January 30, 2021 at 12:23 pm
And Governor DeSantis gave contract to Publix to administer vaccine for pandemic to Publix in some cases (Palm Beach County) ignoring local government altogether.
phil n morton
January 30, 2021 at 12:27 pm
She owns Publix. She’s just not an employee or all that other stuff they said.
Holly
January 30, 2021 at 12:39 pm
The money she gave to help promote the BIG LIE is the same money Publix gave to her as an owner. The less money Publix makes, the less money the heiress gets from Publix to contribute to the sedition efforts.
Sonja Fitch
January 30, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Told ya! Publix is a racist bunch of white folks from Bartow Florida ! Haven’t been in a Publix since they left Brentwood in Jacksonville a food desert . Winn Dixie stepped up and gave away food til their store opened! Publix is scum!
Joe
January 30, 2021 at 1:12 pm
Bottom line is she is a 20% owner of all Publix stock. Since Publix is a private EMPLOYEE OWNED company?
Logic would say that this woman is an employee then. As the largest single owner at 20% of the company, she would be the most influential employee.
Martha K Backer
January 30, 2021 at 1:47 pm
Messrs. Alexander and Jones were at the Capitol grounds together on Jan. 6, and Mr. Jones supported protesters with a bullhorn, video footage shows. He urged them to be peaceful and proceed to the area on the Capitol grounds where Mr. Alexander had secured a demonstration permit, according to Mr. Alexander and the footage.
Sally Verner Shropshire
January 30, 2021 at 1:49 pm
Old Florida at its finest. Keep up the good reporting and uncover the others in the state who do nothing but protect themselves.
UF
College of Journalism&Communications, ‘79
Matt
January 30, 2021 at 4:18 pm
cancel culture idiots in progress, please no other opinions while this echo chamber is in motion.
Crankyankee
January 30, 2021 at 4:33 pm
To see Mr. Jones in action January 6, see the updated PBS Frontline documentary “United States of Conspiracy” :
https://www.wgbh.org/program/frontline/united-states-of-conspiracy
starting at minute 51. Recommend the whole program if you didn’t see it last summer.
Palmer Tom
January 30, 2021 at 6:11 pm
Just for the record, Publix is based in Lakeland. Publix executives have a long record of contributing to right-wing causes. The helped sink transit expansion in Polk County several years ago.
Ocean Joe
January 30, 2021 at 6:59 pm
As a proud Winn-Dixie shopper, as long as you carefully read the expiration dates, you have a decent alternative.
Anybody who buys their beer at Publix must have money to burn.
Scottilla
January 30, 2021 at 11:32 pm
Isn’t Publix known best for being employee owned? How is there a “Publix heiress?”
Sonja Fitch
January 31, 2021 at 2:09 am
Publix started in Bartow Florida and has grown to have headquarters in Lakeland Florida! Always has been racist! It doesn’t surprise me a bit ! The black community in Bartow way back when we’re not allowed in the store. It is time to “cancel out” the lies and racist business Publix! Vote Democrat up and down ballot for the election in 2022! Arrest the heiress for aiding and abetting an insurrection against our democracy! Let’s see what happens to this rich white woman!
roger thurman
January 31, 2021 at 2:42 am
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/27/far-right-extremism-us-terror-biden?CMP=share_btn_link
Angela
January 31, 2021 at 10:20 am
Will be moving my prescriptions to another pharmacy
Palmer Tom
January 31, 2021 at 11:31 am
Actually, the first Publix store was in Winter Haven. Publix is employee owned in the sense that only employees can buy Publix stock. However, George Jenkin’s heirs have controlling interest.
Rita
January 31, 2021 at 2:48 pm
No more publix for me.
Lloyd
February 1, 2021 at 10:51 am
Saying the riot was the cause of 2 suicides? Did the suiceders leave notes saying..”this is why….”
Are you sure their suicide had nothing to do with family, or perhaps the lack of looking at/for evidence to do with the rigged ellection?
(No, I’m Not a Trump supporter, I’m a South African who is simply amazed and disgusted at how much slanted journalism comes out of the USA)
Comments are closed.