An investigation by the Freedom Foundation alleges the American Federation of Teachers devoted more than $1.4 million in union-linked compensation and support services toward the production of a book by union president Randi Weingarten criticizing authoritarian movements and warning about threats to public education.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
New allegations surrounding American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten’s recently published political book have intensified debate over how labor unions use member dues and internal resources, after a conservative watchdog group claimed the union devoted extensive financial support to the project while Weingarten retained part of the proceeds.
According to a report released by the Freedom Foundation, union personnel and affiliated contractors tied to the American Federation of Teachers received compensation totaling more than $1.4 million while contributing to the production of Weingarten’s book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy.
The findings, first reported by the New York Post, were based on the AFT’s federal LM-2 disclosure filings covering the period from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
The Freedom Foundation alleged that several individuals who assisted with the publication received substantial compensation through the union despite some reportedly describing their work on the project as unpaid or outside normal union operations.
Among the expenditures highlighted in the report was approximately $977,000 paid to an attorney connected to the union, as well as roughly $400,000 allegedly paid to a writer involved in the project. Two additional individuals who participated in fact-checking efforts reportedly received about $11,000 each.
Freedom Foundation Director of Research and Government Affairs Maxford Nelsen argued the expenditures raised concerns about whether union dues intended for labor representation were instead directed toward advancing a personal publishing venture.
“Most AFT members pay dues in exchange for workplace representation, not to fund the union president’s literary pursuits,” Nelsen said in remarks included in the report.
Nelsen further claimed the breadth of union-funded assistance suggested Weingarten may have personally contributed little financially to the publication effort.
The book, promoted by its publisher as “a manifesto for our time,” drew national attention after passages compared attacks on educators and curriculum control efforts to tactics employed by authoritarian leaders during the 1930s.
In one excerpt cited in the report, Weingarten wrote: “Those hell-bent on unraveling democracy, pluralism, and opportunity have always attacked teachers and education. It’s a very old playbook. In the 1930s, Hitler and Mussolini persecuted teachers and tried to control the curriculum.”
Critics interpreted portions of the book as drawing parallels between President Donald Trump and fascist movements, an accusation Weingarten has disputed.
According to the report, Weingarten said she was referring to “fascistic behavior” rather than directly labeling Trump a fascist.
Weingarten, whose compensation from the union was listed at $469,442, defended the arrangement and said proceeds from the book are shared equally between herself and the union along with affiliated nonprofit organizations.
Responding to the allegations, Weingarten characterized the investigation as politically motivated.
“This desperate fishing expedition by a far right group that refuses to disclose its donors only proves my book’s point — that Fascists Fear Teachers,” Weingarten said.
She added: “Educators need people making the public case for them, for critical thinking and for public schools. I am glad to have been in full partnership with the union on this project — and any and all proceeds from the book are shared equally.”
The American Federation of Teachers represents approximately 1.8 million members through roughly 3,000 affiliated organizations nationwide.
The controversy comes amid heightened political battles over education policy, public school curriculum standards, teachers unions and the role organized labor plays in national political debates.
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