D’Souza, a conservative commentator, author, and filmmaker, received a presidential pardon from Trump in 2018 for a felony conviction related to campaign finance violations.
Dinesh D’Souza is an Indian-American conservative political commentator, author, filmmaker, and conspiracy theorist. Born on April 25, 1961, in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, D’Souza has been a controversial figure in conservative circles, known for his provocative views and writings.
Early Career and Education:
- D’Souza moved to the United States as an exchange student and attended Dartmouth College.
- During his college years, he became involved in conservative publications and organizations.
Author and Speaker:
- D’Souza gained recognition for his early writings, including the book “Illiberal Education,” which criticized political correctness on college campuses.
- He continued to write numerous books on topics ranging from politics to religion, often promoting conservative viewpoints.
Filmmaking Career:
- D’Souza entered the world of documentary filmmaking, producing films such as “2016: Obama’s America” and “Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party.”
- His documentaries were criticized for their conspiracy theories and selective use of facts.
Legal Troubles:
- In 2014, Dinesh D’Souza pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance laws by making illegal contributions to a U.S. Senate campaign.
- He admitted to using straw donors to contribute $20,000 to the campaign of Wendy Long, a college friend running for the U.S. Senate in New York.
Relationship with Trump:
- D’Souza became associated with Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign.
- In May 2018, Trump announced that he would pardon D’Souza for his campaign finance violations, citing his belief that D’Souza had been treated unfairly.
Post-Pardon Period:
- After his pardon, D’Souza continued to be a vocal supporter of Trump and a critic of liberal policies.
- He maintained a presence in conservative media and continued to produce books and films.
It’s important to note that D’Souza’s legal troubles were related to campaign finance violations and not directly connected to his relationship with Trump. The pardon he received from Trump generated controversy, with critics arguing that it undermined the justice system.