The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) saw its revenue more than double following the tragic 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, which resulted in the death of a woman. Now, this increase is being examined again, particularly after a Justice Department indictment claimed the group paid informants linked to the event’s organizers.
This rally became a significant moment in the national conversation about white nationalism and political violence, drawing condemnation from many corners and leading to an inflow of donations to various civil rights organizations, including the SPLC. Interestingly, this had repercussions in the political landscape, especially during the 2020 presidential election. President Donald Trump’s response—his remark about “very fine people” on both sides—faced heavy criticism from the left, while former President Joe Biden referenced Charlottesville as a pivotal factor in his decision to run for office.
Journalist Batia Unger Sargon mentioned on X that the left has long pointed to the rally, where chants of “Jews will not replace us” were prominent, as evidence of rampant anti-Semitism on the right. She noted that the SPLC allegedly provided financial support to the rally’s organizers and monitored racist posts, acting almost like a puppet master in some respects.
The indictment indicates that the SPLC has utilized informants since the 1980s, including a “covert network” linked to the Ku Klux Klan, all under the organization’s direction.
One informant, referred to as “F-37,” was involved in an online chat group planning the 2017 rally. F-37 claimed, under SPLC supervision, to have participated in racist activities and assisted in arranging transportation for attendees, noting that the SPLC secretly paid over $270,000 to this informant from 2015 to 2023.
A spokesperson for the SPLC told Fox News Digital that they’re currently reviewing the charges, dismissing them as “false.” They defended the use of informants, asserting that these actions “saved lives,” and expressed a commitment to fighting hatred.
The indictment alleges that the SPLC compensated informants linked to white supremacist groups, which coincided with a noted increase in the organization’s funds after the violence in Charlottesville.
Support for the SPLC swelled post-rally, with public support rising from over $51 million in 2016 to $133 million by October 2017. Donations from celebrities like George Clooney and Apple CEO Tim Cook contributed to this surge. Clooney and his wife voiced their commitment to promoting equality and standing against bigotry. Cook called the situation in Charlottesville unacceptable, stating that unchecked hate could have dire consequences.
Even companies like Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Resorts donated a significant sum, reflecting a widespread response to the rally’s violence. Subsequently, the national Democratic Party embraced the anti-hate narrative pushed by the SPLC.
Critics have since scrutinized Trump’s initial remarks after the rally, suggesting that he misrepresented the motivations of some attendees protesting the statue of Robert E. Lee. In fact, Biden asserted that his presidential run in 2020 was largely prompted by the events in Charlottesville. He described the extremists involved as reminiscent of early 20th-century Germany, condemning Trump’s commentary as tacit support for white supremacy.
Trump has dismissed the backlash to his remarks as “a hoax.” The indictment against the SPLC comprises 11 counts, including wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering conspiracy, all of which could lead to serious legal repercussions if proven in court.
