John Fetterman

A billionaire Republican mega-donor with controversial ties to a conservative U.S. Supreme Court justice has given thousands of dollars to Democratic Sen. John Fetterman.

The latest campaign finance filings with the Federal Election Commission show that Texas-based real estate magnate Harlan Crow contributed the maximum of $7,000 to Fetterman’s Senate campaign committee via two $3,500 donations on June 30.

As first reported by The Intercept, Crow’s close relationship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has come under question with ProPublica reporting on the billionaire paying for luxury vacations for Thomas and his wife and a lucrative property deal for Thomas’ family, which the justice did not initially report, as well as tuition for Thomas’ grandnephew at an exclusive private boarding school.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has reported on Crow’s role in funding conservative causes in so-called “dark money” efforts that keep his name out of the spotlight.

Crow’s donations to Fetterman came just a week before it was revealed that the beleaguered Democratic senator had partnered with Sen. Dave McCormick, a Republican, to form a joint fundraising committee, a highly unusual bipartisan move that angered Democrats and fueled more speculation about Fetterman’s political future.

Crow’s contributions show how Fetterman’s increasing centrist stances have attracted support from conservatives, who in 2022 excoriated him following his stroke and a poor debate performance against Republican Mehmet Oz.

Since President Donald Trump was elected in 2024, Fetterman has increasingly frustrated and angered Democrats by supporting Trump nominees and policies, such as immigration and the Iran war, unapologetically backing Israel and its military offensive in Gaza, and frequently criticizing Democrats in conservative media.

Fetterman has maintained he will not switch parties, but recently floated the possibility of leaving the Democratic Party if its platform changes to opposing Israel.

A Quinnipiac University poll released earlier this month found that a majority of Pennsylvania Democrats want Fetterman to leave the party.