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According to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal, a number of former President Trump’s key allies helped pay for and organize the rally that preceded the capitol riots that left five people dead on January 6th. While the preceding event was legal and non-violent, the remarks that Trump made at the rally were widely condemned and led to him being impeached by the House of Representatives, accused of inciting a riot and encouraging a mob of protoestors to "fight like hell" to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election.
Far right media personality and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones donated $50,000 to the event and helped bring in additional funds, including a $300,000 contribution from Julie Jenkins Fancelli, heiress to the Publix grocery store fortune. Ms. Fancelli’s contribution covered “the lion’s share” of the costs which totaled roughly $500,000. She also donated nearly one million dollars to Trump and the Republican party during the 2020 presidential election.