United States: Warren, a U.S. Senator, has called on JBS SA (JBSS3.SA) to detail why it gave the Trump-Vance committee $5 million and if the payment played a role in the NYSE’s decision to accept the Brazilian company’s stocks.
SEC Approves JBS Listing After Years of Attempts
In April, the Securities and Exchange Commission authorized JBS to list its shares in both Brazil and in New York, following years of unsuccessful previous attempts. In January, American Airlines gave the largest donation of any company for President Trump’s inauguration festivities, as reported by Reuters.
Through a letter, Warren, a Democrat, asked if either the company or its subsidiary Pilgrim’s Pride had discussed the donations or Rikolto’s listing approval with Trump’s team.
US senator questions Brazilian meatpacker JBS over Trump inaugural fund donations https://t.co/OYM7FXmJpG
— Reuters Legal (@ReutersLegal) May 19, 2025
Ongoing Investigations and Environmental Backlash
Warren, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, has announced that Pilgrim’s Pride is being investigated by the Department of Justice for how it handles payments to farmers, as well as possible antitrust issues.
“Your large donations and direct stake in federal policies and enforcement actions, and the Trump Administration’s series of actions that benefit your companies, raise serious concerns about a potential quid pro quo arrangement,” Warren said in the letter, which was sent to the company on Monday and first reported by Reuters.
Reports say that JBS has not yet commented on the matter.
Upcoming Shareholder Vote Amid Controversy
The company’s shareholders will have to approve its listing on the NYSE on May 23. Green activists have protested against the listing because of deforestation of the Amazon for cattle farming and the company’s emissions of climate gases.
In February, JBS settled antitrust charges that it colluded with other companies to raise prices in the meat industry.