Pete Buttigieg is raking in the Obama bucks


As supporters of South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg compare him favorably to former President Barack Obama, he's now earning donations from some key Obama administration officials.
Buttigieg during the first quarter of 2019 received financial support from five former members of the Obama administration, per U.S. News & World Report, one being former White House Press Secretary Jay Carney. His $250 donation is particularly interesting considering he served as communications director for former Vice President Joe Biden, who is expected to announce a White House bid any day now.
The South Bend mayor also received donations from former national security adviser Susan Rice, former deputy senior adviser Stephanie Cutter, former National Security Council spokesman Ned Price, and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy. They donated between $500 and $1,250, with Price giving the most.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Carney, Price, Rice, and Kennedy didn't comment for U.S. News' story, although Cutter said that while she hasn't chosen a candidate yet, "Mayor Pete inspired me." She said she will likely support a number of candidates in the race, but she only donated to Buttigieg in the first quarter of 2019.
Buttigieg has been riding a wave of momentum ever since launching a White House bid that was initially considered to be a long shot, raising an impressive $7 million in the first quarter of the year and in a recent Emerson poll coming in third place behind only Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Biden, per The Hill. Buttigieg told CNN on Tuesday he didn't want to be regarded as a "flash in the pan" but now has "outlived the flavor of the month period."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Trump's actions cut a wide swath across Hawaii's economy
In Depth The state's tourism and farming sectors are two of the largest hit industries
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 immersive books to read this April for a brief escape
The Week Recommends A dystopian tale takes us to the library, a journalist's ode to her refugee parents and more
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'The winners and losers of AI may not be where we expect'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Trump rolls out tariffs on virtually all imports
Speed Read On "Liberation Day," Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to America and higher reciprocal tariffs for some 60 other countries
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sen. Booker's 25-hour speech beats Thurmond
Speed Read He spoke for the longest time in recorded Senate history, protesting the Trump administration's policies
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bondi seeks death penalty for Luigi Mangione
Speed Read Mangione was charged with fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats win costly Wisconsin court seat
Speed Read Democrats prevailed in an election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court despite Elon Musk's robust financial support of the Republican candidate
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
WHCA rejects White House press seating grab
Speed Read The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jail
Speed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump 'not joking' about unconstitutional 3rd term
Speed Read The president seems to be serious about seeking a third term in 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published