Foundation behind network pushing election and coronavirus conspiracies had its tax-exempt status... [View all]

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Source: CNN

Foundation behind network pushing election and coronavirus conspiracies had its tax-exempt status revoked. It still solicits donations

By Casey Tolan and Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN

Updated 12:55 PM ET, Mon January 10, 2022

(CNN) -- An online media network that promotes election and coronavirus-related conspiracy theories is soliciting donations and telling donors their contributions will be tax-deductible -- even though its foundation's tax-exempt status has been revoked by the IRS.

The Worldview Weekend Broadcast Network -- which has given a platform to conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell and other right-wing figures who have pushed falsehoods about the 2020 election -- collects donations through a nonprofit organization, the Worldview Weekend Foundation, which they say funds some of its operations.

The IRS revoked the foundation's tax-exempt status in May after it failed to file tax returns for three consecutive years, according to the agency's records. That means that donors who give money to the foundation can't deduct those contributions from their taxes unless the IRS reinstates its status.

But more than seven months later, the organization is still actively soliciting donations and telling potential donors their contributions will be deductible. This week, a large pop-up ad on the website declared that "your tax deductible contribution is vital to continue operations," while a banner ad urged supporters to "make your end of the year tax deductible donation!"

The network asks for donations in a form at the bottom of every page on its website, which states three times that contributions are "100% Tax-Deductable" (sic). And its audio and video broadcasts and social media posts often include similar requests for donations and claims about deductibility.

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Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/10/politics/worldview-weekend-foundation-tax-status-irs-invs/index.html

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Daniel Dale Retweeted

https://twitter.com/ddale8

Conspiracy-theory outlet WVW Broadcast Network (pushed the now-infamous Hammer/Scorecard election nonsense) claims donors’ contributions are tax-deductible -- but its foundation's tax-exempt status has been revoked. Via
@caseytolan

@YahyaGhazala

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Foundation behind network pushing election and coronavirus conspiracies had its tax-exempt status...
An online media network that promotes election and coronavirus-related conspiracy theories is soliciting donations and telling donors their contributions