Friday, February 20, 2026

pt5 Dandelion Conspiracy

Glyphosate is Political Poison: All-Time Monetary Payoffs from Monsanto & Bayer

Bayer spent: $9,190,000 Lobbying Politicians in 2025 

h/t Grok for this info: User
@StLHandyMan
nails it—asking for all-time totals from "glyphosate poisons" via Monsanto/Bayer to politicians. Using OpenSecrets data (pre- and post-2018 merger, when Bayer bought Monsanto for $63B, folding its lobbying under Bayer AG):Monsanto (Pre-2018, ID D000000055)
  • All-Time Contributions: $31,138,284 (1989–2020, to 3,581 filers including candidates, parties, PACs; state/federal levels via FollowTheMoney/OpenSecrets). Breakdowns sparse, but 2016 cycle: $755,146 (81% PACs, 19% individuals; 53% to Republicans, top recipients like Roy Blunt (R) $31K).


  • Lobbying Expenditures: No official all-time sum, but yearly peaks ~$4-6M (e.g., 2016 $4.6M, 2015 $4.33M, 2011 $6.3M). Estimated 1998–2017: ~$80M (averaging $4.5M/year over 18 years, focused on ag biotech, pesticides like glyphosate regs).
  • Key Ties: 83-87% lobbyists ex-government (revolving door); issues: GMO labeling opposition, EPA/FDA biotech rules.
Bayer AG (ID D000042363, Post-2018 Includes Monsanto)
  • All-Time Contributions: Data cycle-based, no full aggregate; 2024 cycle: $544,690 (50% PACs/individuals; top: Kamala Harris (D) $103K, Donald Trump (R) $23K). Historical (1990–2024 estimate via affiliates): ~$10-15M (e.g., 2018 $464K via Bayer Corp, leaning 54% Dems).


  • Lobbying Expenditures: Yearly 2013–2025: $6-13M (e.g., 2025 $9.19M, 2024 $8.47M, 2023 $7.45M, 2017 $13.74M peak post-merger). Estimated all-time (1998–2025): ~$200M+ (averaging $8M/year over 28 years, on pesticides, pharma, ag bills like H.R.4288 for glyphosate labeling).
  • Key Ties: 78-85% lobbyists ex-government; affiliates: Climate Corp (ex-Monsanto), MEDRAD; issues: Glyphosate defense, farm security acts aligning with Trump's EO.


Combined Monsanto/Bayer (Glyphosate Focus)
  • Lobbying (2006–2016 Decade): $120M total (pre-merger separate ops, per reports). Post-merger (2018–2025): ~$70M (Bayer avg $9M/year).
  • Total Estimated All-Time (1990–2026): Contributions ~$40-50M; Lobbying ~$350M (Monsanto $80M pre + Bayer $270M). Ties to glyphosate: Bills shielding from cancer labels/lawsuits, EPA approvals, national security framing.
  • String Pullers: Big Ag/Pharma influence via revolving door, donations to both parties (e.g., Trump/Harris), opposition to GMO bans/labeling.
 These millions buy policy shielding glyphosate (cancer-linked, in 95% military food) while dandelions—free, anti-cancer potential—get sprayed. Profit over health.


Why I wrote this
I started this series because I believe dandelion has been unfairly demonized as a “weed” while its traditional uses and emerging research point to real potential. I’m not a doctor or scientist—just someone who thinks people deserve to see the full picture without pharmaceutical gatekeeping. This post is part of my effort to document what I’m finding so others (maybe years from now) can decide for themselves.Dandelion Conspiracy Blog Series Web Links: Part1 - Part2 - Part3 - Part4 -Part 5
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pt5 Dandelion Conspiracy

Glyphosate is Political Poison: All-Time Monetary Payoffs from Monsanto & Bayer @grok what are the "all time" total contribut...