Report V · Released June 11, 2026

USW

United Steelworkers · 850,000+ members

The largest steel union in North America funded "No Kings" protests, coached members on how to "plan for ICE raids," and called Elon Musk "racist" and "sexist."

The Bottom Line

USW funded Pride at Work to organize anti-Trump protests, while teaching its own members workshops on how to "plan for ICE raids."

A steelworker walking through a darkened mill at dawn, sparks and steam rising from the furnaces in the background

Political Spending

The Money

USW spent nearly $43 million on politics from 2017 to 2024 — funneling member dues to Pride at Work, the Economic Policy Institute, and the socialist Workers Defense League.

$42,785,735

Total political spending 2017–2024

DOL LM-2 filings

90%+

Federal PAC spending to Democrats

Funded the Economic Policy Institute

Over $640,000 between 2017 and 2023 — at $100,000 to $120,000 a year — to a left-aligned policy shop that consistently opposes the Trump-Vance agenda

Also funded

Blue Green Alliance, A. Philip Randolph Institute, and the socialist Workers Defense League

Coaching Members on ICE Raids

Anti-MAGA Advocacy

USW didn't just oppose Trump's policies — it ran workshops teaching members how to "plan for ICE raids," amplified the AFL-CIO's anti-administration bus tour, and publicly accused Elon Musk of running "segregated factories."

A pair of worn work boots with an American flag pin — Steelworkers vote Trump. USW funds Pride at Work and teaches "ICE raid" workshops.

Workshops

USW hosted workshops titled around "Anti-Immigrant Policies" — including "ICE Raids are Spreading Fear" — coaching members on how to respond to federal immigration enforcement

“A stab in the back to workers.”

— Public statements

Presidential endorsements

Joe Biden (2020), Kamala Harris (2024) — plus longstanding support for Tim Walz

Attacked Elon Musk

USW accused Republican ally Elon Musk of running "segregated" factories and tolerating "sexist" working conditions, while criticizing his involvement in DOGE

Joined

The AFL-CIO bus tour against the Trump administration, framing Trump and Musk as "Attacking America's Veterans"

$180 Million in Member Dues

The Waste

From sports franchises to amusement parks to $25 million in swag, USW spent $180 million on everything except its members.

The vast empty concourse of an American sports stadium at twilight, scattered debris from the day's crowd, a single janitor in the distance — Sports franchises. Golf. Amusement parks. Two million dollars in entertainment from working steelworkers' dues.

$2,000,000+

Spent on entertainment (sports, golf, parks)

DOL LM-2 filings

$25,000,000+

Spent on swag & union luxuries

$180,000,000+

Total wasteful spending 2017–2024

Entertainment categories include

Professional sports franchise sponsorships, golf outings, amusement parks, and union-funded "cookouts" running $20,000–$30,000 per event

Leadership Salaries vs. The Steelworkers

Self-Enrichment

The median iron and steelworker earns $62,700. President David McCall earns more than three times that. Nearly half of USW's leadership earns six figures.

An opulent hotel lobby with chandeliers and marble floors at night — The world the bosses fly to. The world their dues built.

The Salary Gap

David R. McCall — President

$210,561

Median iron & steelworker

$62,700

USW's president earns more than three times the median steelworker he claims to represent.

$180,481

John E. Shinn — Secretary-Treasurer

2024 LM-2

$170,454

Four Vice Presidents — each

Ramirez, Mapp, Mendoza, Brown — identical to the dollar

45%

USW leadership earning six figures

General Counsel David R. Jury

$170,117/year — within $340 of the four-VP pay band

The Pattern

USW is one of seven.

USW is not an outlier. Across seven major American industrial unions, the same pattern repeats: rank-and-file members who voted for Trump, led by executives who fund his opposition.

USW

The Money

Anti-MAGA Advocacy

The Waste

Self-Enrichment

USW is one of seven.

Read the complete USW report