Politico’s Payroll Mishap Shines Light On USAID Ties

Employees at Politico were caught by surprise when their paychecks failed to arrive for the latest pay period. According to internal emails shared by staff, company leadership pointed to a “technical error” in the payroll system and promised to resolve the issue promptly.

Within roughly 24 hours, staff reported that pay had been disbursed, but not before speculation emerged on social media on what might have transpired.

Politico is owned by Germany-based Axel Springer SE, a global media holding company that was once publicly traded but is now privately held. The firm’s flagship publications and digital ventures are predominantly European, although its 2021 acquisition of Politico significantly expanded its US market footprint. This made the situation that despite being headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Politico’s strategic and financial decisions can be influenced by its foreign parent.

As rumors swirled about the payroll disruption, critics began highlighting Politico’s substantial funding from the USAID. Public records, including those found on usaspending.gov, show that Politico, LLC has received millions of dollars from USAID, with the flow of federal awards ramping up significantly over the past few years. Exact figures indicate that over 200 transactions from various federal programs contributed to Politico’s government-related revenue.

Politico, known for its in-depth political reporting, has published numerous pieces on USAID activities and foreign aid initiatives. Critics insist that readers deserve to know whether a federal agency’s money underwrites the same newsroom that reports on its operations. Though there is no direct evidence linking the recent payroll mishap to USAID funds, observers note the timing has amplified calls for disclosure.

Politico’s management has assured employees that the payroll system is now functioning, but it remains unclear whether it will address ongoing concerns about USAID funding.

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