Ken Griffin Gives $5 Million to GOP Super PAC

Ken Griffin, founder of Citadel and Citadel Securities, donated $5 million on May 1 to the Congressional Leadership Fund, according to Federal Election Commission filings. The contribution is his first federal gift of the 2026 election cycle. The CLF is the main outside group supporting Republican candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives.

FEC records show other large early donations to CLF: Howard Lutnick gave $5 million in April and Susquehanna International Group co-founder Jeff Yass gave $2 million. Political committees often secure sizable funds early to support candidate recruitment and advertising before primary contests begin.

Griffin has been an active Republican-aligned donor. Since 2015 he has contributed more than $285 million to federal candidates and committees, including over $108 million in the 2024 cycle. He has backed Senate campaigns such as David McCormick in Pennsylvania and Tim Sheehy in Montana. FEC data shows he has given more than $60 million to the Congressional Leadership Fund since 2016.

Griffin has spoken publicly on tax and regulatory policy. Citadel responded after a public video announced plans for a pied-à-terre tax targeting luxury second homes near his Midtown Manhattan residence. The firm warned it could scale back parts of a planned New York expansion, while Griffin has highlighted continued growth in Miami.

Griffin has met with former President Donald Trump at the White House and donated to Trump’s 2025 inauguration committee. He has not formally endorsed Trump’s presidential campaign.

Congressional Leadership Fund has been a primary vehicle for Republican House spending in recent cycles. Super PACs can accept unlimited contributions from individuals and entities to fund independent political advertising and other activities. Federal rules bar direct coordination between super PACs and candidate campaigns.

The May 1 contribution places Griffin among a small group of major donors who have provided early funding for the 2026 midterm cycle.