Scottish Celebrities Donate to US Midterm Campaigns
Brian Cox, David Byrne and other Scots with US ties have made political donations ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Scottish celebrities and business figures have donated tens of thousands of pounds to US political campaigns before the 2026 midterms. Scots holding US citizenship, dual nationality or Green Cards are able to donate, even though foreign nationals living in the country are barred from giving.
Why it matters
The donations show how individuals with US citizenship, dual nationality or Green Cards are participating in American election finance from abroad or domestically. The midterm outcome will determine which party controls Congress and how far the US president can carry out his agenda for the rest of his term.
Dame Jane Fraser has made nearly two dozen donations in 2026 totaling more than $23,000, while Brian Cox has made at least 209 donations totaling over $2,100 according to FEC filings. The extraction does not establish whether these figures include donations made by any foreign nationals.
The players
Brian Cox
Scottish actor who has made at least 209 individual political donations, mostly to ActBlue.
David Byrne
Scottish-born musician who has made at least 63 donations in 2026, mostly to ActBlue and Fair Fight Action.
Dame Jane Fraser
Scottish-born business executive who has made nearly two dozen donations in 2026 to both Republican and Democratic campaigns.
The details
Most of Brian Cox's donations went to ActBlue, an online fundraising platform for Democratic causes, and Michelle Gomez has given at least $550 to Democratic causes over the past 10 months. Dame Jane Fraser has donated to campaigns for both Republican and Democratic candidates, while David Byrne's contributions included donations to Fair Fight Action.
Timeline
2026 (year to date): Brian Cox begins making donations to Democratic causes.
Past 10 months: Michelle Gomez donates at least $550 to Democratic causes.
November 3, 2026: US midterm elections take place.
Market Landscape
US election finance law bars foreign nationals living in the country from giving to political campaigns, but citizens, dual nationals and Green Card holders remain eligible. The 2026 midterms therefore draw on a donor pool that includes Scots with those ties.
Readers with US citizenship, dual nationality or Green Cards are legally able to donate to American campaigns, which shows how eligibility rules shape political participation. Anyone following the midterms should note that donor eligibility depends on citizenship or lawful status rather than residence alone.
The takeaway
Eligibility to give to US campaigns depends on citizenship or lawful status, not simply on where a donor lives. Readers tracking election finance should check the FEC donor database for the full record of contributions.
What happens next
The US midterm elections take place on November 3, 2026, and their result will determine which party controls Congress.
Further reading
For related coverage, see Philanthropy on the business desk.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Scotsman.
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