Happy Labor Day
By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—The month of August is known as the dog days of summer, when it is too hot to do anything but lie in a hammock and sip lemonade. We have one legislative update: North Carolina: SB50 Override vote postponed. Since today is Labor Day, this legislative update recounts the history of an opportunist who took his tangential involvement in a tragedy where he allegedly was not even present to become a spokesman for the victims — David Hogg. We have witnessed his rise and his fall since February 2018.
David Hogg: A Seven-Year Summary of Advocacy, Remuneration, and Intra-Party Criticism
David Hogg, born in 2000, became a prominent figure in American activism following the tragic Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14, 2018, where 17 people were killed.
As a survivor, Hogg quickly emerged as a vocal advocate for gun control, using his platform to challenge the National Rifle Association (NRA) and push for legislative reforms. His journey from student survivor to political influencer has been marked by significant advocacy efforts, evolving questions about his remuneration from related organizations, and increasing criticism from within the Democratic Party, particularly from older establishment figures who view his tactics as disruptive. This summary examines these elements chronologically from 2018 to 2025, drawing on media reports, financial disclosures, and public statements to provide a comprehensive overview of his trajectory.
In 2018, Hogg’s advocacy began immediately after the Parkland shooting. At just 17 years old, he and fellow survivors like Emma González and Cameron Kasky founded March for Our Lives (MFOL), a 501(c)(4) action fund and affiliated 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to ending gun violence through policy advocacy, voter registration drives, and public education. The group’s inaugural event, the March for Our Lives rally in Washington, D.C., on March 24, 2018, drew an estimated 800,000 participants nationwide, symbolizing a youth-led movement against lax gun laws. Hogg’s fiery speeches, including his viral “We call BS” address criticizing politicians beholden to the NRA, galvanized support and led to partnerships with celebrities and donors.
He co-authored the book “#NeverAgain: A New Generation Draws the Line” with his sister Lauren, pledging all royalties to charity to support gun violence prevention. This period emphasized selfless activism, but remuneration controversies arose early. Theories, propagated by outlets like InfoWars and figures such as Alex Jones, labeled Hogg a “crisis actor” paid by anti-gun organizations or George Soros to fabricate his story. These claims, amplified on social media, suggested he was compensated for media appearances and advocacy, but IRS filings later showed Hogg received nothing from MFOL in 2018. There was nothing but praise from Democrats; instead, party leaders like Nancy Pelosi praised the survivors for energizing the base ahead of the midterm elections, viewing their work as a boon for progressive causes.
From 2019 to 2020, Hogg’s advocacy matured as MFOL expanded its scope. The organization launched a nationwide “Road to Change” bus tour in 2019, registering young voters and lobbying for universal background checks and assault weapon bans. In 2020, amid the presidential election, MFOL focused on mobilizing youth turnout in battleground states, endorsing Joe Biden and contributing to Democratic victories. Hogg, now attending Harvard University—where many criticized his admission as leveraging survivor status—balanced studies with activism, appearing on national TV to debate gun rights advocates. Remuneration discussions remained limited and broadly conspiratorial; online forums echoed “paid actor” tropes, while MFOL’s financials showed Hogg earning only $2,500 in 2020-2021.
The group’s fundraising had peaked at over $18 million in 2018, but it stabilized at $3-7 million annually, with most funds directed toward ads and rallies. Second Amendment supporters argued that Hogg’s efforts during that period were unsuccessful, as the big push for passage of a federal assault weapon ban failed. However, Democrats continued to support Hogg, with figures like Barack Obama commending his persistence, though some internal murmurs emerged about the sustainability of trauma-based activism without broader coalitions.
In 2021-2022, Hogg diversified his efforts while maintaining gun control as a core focus. He co-founded Good Pillow in 2021, a mockery of the conservative-linked My Pillow, aiming to fund social causes through sales—an unsuccessful operation. MFOL persisted with campaigns against the Second Amendment’s expansive interpretations by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Bruen decision, which included legal challenges and community outreach. By the end of 2022, media profiles in outlets like Time magazine highlighted Hogg’s evolution into a strategic organizer, noting his role in influencing state-level gun reforms in Florida. However, he had no nexus to the passage of The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act (Senate Bill 7026) in 2018..
Remuneration from MFOL increased substantially to $56,974 in 2022, reflecting his growing involvement, but has dropped dramatically thereafter. Overall, his earnings from the organization totaled under $65,000 over seven years, with much of the $50 million+ raised going to operational costs. Conservative critics accused him of profiting from tragedy, but Democratic allies lauded his innovation, with minor overt criticism. However, subtle tensions arose as Hogg began critiquing “ineffective” politicians, foreshadowing future rifts.
The years 2023-2024 marked a pivotal shift with the August 2023 launch of Leaders We Deserve (LWD), a hybrid PAC designed to elect Gen Z and millennial progressives—under 35 for federal offices and 30 for state—to inject fresh energy into politics. Hogg’s advocacy emphasized ousting “asleep at the wheel” incumbents through primaries, raising $8.5 million by 2024 to back candidates like Texas state senator Molly Cook. Successes included helping young Democrats win seats, but the strategy alienated many party members. Remuneration became more prominent: Hogg drew over $100,000 annually from LWD, accumulating over $ 175,000 since its founding, including a $20,000 payout in December 2024. Media like The 74 praised his fundraising prowess, but Second Amendment sources framed it as self-enrichment, questioning where funds went beyond the $266,000 spent on federal campaigns. Early Democratic criticism surfaced anonymously, with moderates wary of his aggressive tactics targeting safe blue districts.
By this year, Hogg’s influence had peaked and then began its downward spiral. Appointed DNC vice chair in February, he amplified LWD’s mission, announcing a $20 million initiative in April to fund primaries against “ineffective” Democrats, often older incumbents in their 70s and 80s. This advocacy for generational renewal aimed at issues like climate change and gun reform, but sparked fierce backlash. Remuneration scrutiny intensified: The New York Post revealed his six-figure PAC salary in February, with party insiders dubbing him a “pig” for using DNC donor lists to solicit funds, labeling it self-enrichment over collective good. Fox News called it a “corruption scandal,” tying it to his DNC vice-chairmanship.
Democratic criticism surged notably from veterans like James Carville, who in April condemned the plan as “the most insane thing he’s ever heard” and “jackassery of the highest level,” calling Hogg a “contemptible little twerp” in heated interviews. Carville highlighted the generational gap, arguing Hogg’s youth (25 years old) caused naive disruptions, and even suggested suing him for misusing party resources. DNC Chair Jaime Harrison echoed this, emphasizing unity over internal conflicts, while anonymous Senators told Politico that the strategy risked electoral losses by alienating experienced lawmakers. Former President Barack Obama reportedly influenced Hogg’s May removal from the DNC, citing incompatibility with leadership during the primaries push. Hogg defended his approach, replying to Carville by noting he “hasn’t won an election since before I was born,” and framing his salary as fair compensation for advancing progressive change. Despite raising $11.9 million, LWD’s limited spending on vote procurement led to claims of inefficiency, worsening tensions, and weakening fundraising.
Finally, in March of this year, thereload.com had a major article entitled National Gun-Control Group Lays Off Most Staff, referencing the March for Our Lives firings and the appointment of a new leader:
“Jaclyn Corin, a 24-year-old Parkland survivor and group co-founder, will take the reins as the organization attempts to navigate bumpy terrain in the wake of the 2024 election.”
On Aug. 20, The Trace, the well-known anti-Second Amendment website and so-called magazine, had the following headline: “They Rallied the Nation After the Parkland School Shooting. Years Later, Their Group Is Floundering.” This article discusses the March firing of 12 staffers and the lawsuit that has been filed by those terminated:
“The lawsuit, filed on July 18 in New York, alleges that the 13 terminated staffers are victims of retaliation for having voiced opposition to racial discrimination on the part of the board of directors — a charge the group denies in a court filing. The suit was brought by Zachary Ford, who joined MFOL in 2023 as its development director. At 34, he was a decade older than many of the staff. In interviews with The Trace, Ford said that while the group was under some financial stress, Corin and the board hyped the money woes to justify a power grab.”
In summary, Hogg’s journey from 2018 survivor-activist to 2025 political operative demonstrates relentless advocacy for gun control and youth empowerment, backed by tens of millions in donations. His compensation, starting modestly at MFOL and rising at LWD, has sparked polarized opinions—seen as legitimate by supporters and as grifting by detractors. Now that he no longer works for MFOL, we see that his interest in his fellow “survivors” is as genuine as his support for those who have worked for and with him all these years.
There is a lot of friction within the anti-gun youth movement and the anti-gun movement overall, with enough criticism and backstabbing in the anti-Second Amendment camp. Trump’s overwhelming win in the 2024 election has intensified these divisions and made them very public.
Yet, Hogg’s sharpest criticism comes from Democrats, who condemn his divisive primaries and perceived ageism as threats to party unity. As of August 2025, with LWD active but facing challenges, Hogg’s future depends on a weakened Democratic Party, which he has trashed. Whether he can bridge the generational divides and secure real wins amid intra-party debates over his loyalty and his use of party resources to boost his personal wealth remains uncertain. Those of us committed to defending the Second Amendment watch Hogg’s decline with anticipation, hoping it continues.
State Legislation
North Carolina: SB50, the constitutional carry bill that was vetoed by Gov. Josh Stein and that the state Senate voted to override, is awaiting a vote in the House. A vote was scheduled for August 26, but then cancelled. It is now rescheduled for Sept. 22.
