WME-IMG is "forming a national political action committee and planning on increasing its contact with office holders from both political parties," according to James Rainey of VARIETY. WME-IMG co-CEOs ARI EMANUEL and PATRICK WHITESELL in an internal memo Tuesday wrote that several initiatives are being "designed to help workers" at the agency "engage in the political process." The actions are in "response to the election of DONALD TRUMP, though the memo is careful not to take sides in any of the many controversies that have erupted during the president’s 19 days in office." A source said that lawyers are "currently working out details" of the PAC, which "might take on partners from outside of the agency." The source said that the financial commitment by WME-IMG will be "'substantial' -- with money to be contributed to causes and candidates that the agency’s employees agree to support." Emanuel has "connections on both sides of the political aisle," as he "once served as Trump’s agent and visited the President-elect after his victory over HILLARY CLINTON." Emanuel also "contributed to Clinton's campaign." The source said some of Trump’s actions have made "people here very concerned, including the leadership of the company. But it’s also an incredibly diverse company and there are probably people in our company who are in favor of what is going on in the White House" (VARIETY.com, 2/8).
