TL/DR –
The article discusses allegations that Dream City Church in Phoenix has transformed into a venue for political discourse, with particular focus on Donald Trump, while maintaining its tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules prohibit 501(c)(3) organizations from participating in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for elective public office. Lisa Sanor, head of the Pinal County Democratic Party, has filed a complaint with the IRS against the Save Arizona Fund, associated with U.S. Senate Candidate Kari Lake, stating that it operates primarily for the benefit of Kari Lake rather than as a social welfare organization, as it claims.
Trump’s Visit to Dream City Church in Phoenix: A Religious or Political Affair?
Donald Trump’s recent visit to Dream City Church in Phoenix has raised eyebrows. Rather than simply being a congregant, he was treated more like a messiah. The church, a house of Trump worship, has somehow managed to maintain its tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit status while preaching about politics as much as theology.
Operating a phony nonprofit is illegal according to the IRS, which prohibits 501(c)(3) organizations from participating in political campaigns.
Questionable Activities of Nonprofits like Save Arizona Fund
It’s concerning that churches like Dream City get away with political activities. Lisa Sanor, the head of the Pinal County Democratic Party, alleges that U.S. Senate Candidate Kari Lake is associated with a nonprofit, Save Arizona Fund, that is also bending the rules.
Sanor lodged a complaint with the IRS, arguing that the Save Arizona Fund, which identifies itself as a tax-exempt “Arizona-based non-profit social welfare organization”, should lose its tax exempt status. The fund, a 501(c)(4) organization, may engage in political campaigns as per IRS rules, as long as it’s not the organization’s primary activity.
Allegations Against U.S. Senate Candidate Kari Lake
Sanor insists that the fund is operating primarily for the private benefit of Kari Lake, contrary to IRS rules. The complaint includes numerous examples. The Arizona Mirror was the first to report about Sanor’s IRS complaint.
Sanor stated, “Kari Lake only cares about boosting herself — but she isn’t above the rules … .” Lake has previously tried to bend rules relating to elections and lawsuits, and it seems she may now be attempting the same with nonprofits.
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