Former Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., who served one term in Congress before losing her 2024 Democratic primary to challenger Wesley Bell, is facing scrutiny over Poltivist Power Inc., a nonprofit she promoted as a tax-exempt organization during her time in office. The group raised funds for tornado relief efforts following storms that struck the St. Louis area, but Fox News Digital could not identify any IRS records showing the organization obtained or claimed 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status.
Bush described Poltivist Power Inc. in fundraising emails as 'a new 501(c)(4) organization uniting grassroots organizing with political strategy to fight oppression.' In one appeal, she wrote: 'My team and I are on the ground, and we could use your support. Can we count on you to donate to our tornado fund today so we can continue our relief efforts?' The organization's domain was first registered on April 1, 2025, according to public records.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine L. Hanaway announced earlier this month that her office would investigate whether donors to the tornado relief fund were misled about how their contributions would be used. 'The investigation started when a local news station reported that people had reported to it that contributions they had made for a tornado relief fund had actually gone to her political activity,' Hanaway said in a statement. She added: 'We do not have our own evidence of that, but that is what we are investigating.' Bush has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive allies of Bush have noted that she has not been accused of criminal conduct and have emphasized the preliminary nature of the inquiry. Supporters point out that nonprofit registration issues can result from administrative errors rather than intentional misconduct. Bush's office did not respond to requests for comment on whether Poltivist Power had received donations, why it hadn't reported a 990 form, or about the nature of its activities. Democratic strategists have suggested the investigation may be politically motivated given Hanaway's position as a Republican elected official examining a prominent progressive Democrat.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican critics argue that the lack of IRS documentation raises serious questions about transparency and donor trust. They note that describing an organization as a 501(c)(4) in fundraising materials carries specific legal implications and donor expectations. Missouri Republican Party officials have called for full accountability, arguing that whether or not criminal charges result, voters deserve to know how their charitable contributions were handled. Conservative commentators have pointed to the timing of Poltivist Power's formation during Bush's primary challenge as warranting additional scrutiny.
What the Numbers Show
Bush arrived in Congress in 2021 representing Missouri's 1st congressional district. She was grouped with fellow progressive Democrats known as 'The Squad,' including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib. Poltivist Power registered as an 'exempt' corporation with the Delaware Department of State in March 2025, a designation reserved for entities meeting Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code requirements. Without required IRS filings, it remains unclear how much the group fundraised or how funds were disbursed.
The Bottom Line
The investigation into Poltivist Power Inc. marks an ongoing inquiry rather than settled findings. Bush, who is no longer in Congress, has not been charged with any crime. Hanaway's office is examining whether tornado relief donations were diverted to political activity. What the numbers cannot yet show is how much money moved through the nonprofit and for what purposes. The case highlights the legal requirements surrounding 501(c)(4) organizations and the consequences of mischaracterizing an organization's tax status to donors.