Publix heiress helped to finance the Jan. 6 Capitol riot in a big way

As the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot continues, eyes are on the heiress of a beloved grocery store chain. Julie Fancelli, daughter of the founder of Publix, is believed to have “played a strong role” in helping to finance the rally, reports The Washington Post. The 72-year-old, who has lived quietly and predominantly at her Italian estate, has been exposed as the largest publicly known donor to the rally. An Alex Jones enthusiast, Fancelli sent $650,000 to various organizations that helped stage the event, including $200,000 to State Tea Party Express, funds that were used to promote the event across radio and social media. Publix has tried to distance itself from the heiress, who has never served on the company’s board of directors, and told The Post it is “deeply troubled” by her involvement. And while some on social media are threatening boycotts, it’s hard to imagine the wildly popular Southeast grocery store chain will suffer much … if at all. As supermarket analyst David Livingston said, “People love Publix like people in Wisconsin love the Green Bay Packers.” Meanwhile, Fancelli—despite claiming she had no idea there would be violence at the Capitol—does not seem particularly eager to correct the record, at least fiscally: She recently gave $5,800 to Rep. Matthew M. Rosendale (R-Montana), one of 21 House Republicans who didn’t feel that the police officers defending our Capitol on Jan. 6 were worthy of a congressional gold medal. —Sofia Sokolove