Lauren Boebert’s Financial Paradox: From Rumored Wealth to Possible Bankruptcy

Lauren Boebert, the congressional representative from Colorado, sent out an email in late July stating that, contrary to the belief propagated by some media outlets, she wasn’t concealing any secrets. Interestingly, the email was not concerning the reports about her eldest child being accused of minor-scale child mistreatment, but rather about a recent narrative concerning her annual financial disclosure report – a report that every Congress member is required to submit.

In the past, there was sparse coverage questioning the likely purpose behind Boebert’s submission of an empty financial disclosure form. This was kick-started by a piece in The Independent, which was subsequently echoed in a number of other news platforms like Alternet, Raw Story, and The List. This incident wasn’t the inaugural instance of Boebert’s financial status attracting attention and skepticism.

In December 2022, a rumor began to circulate on social media platforms alleging that Boebert had amassed a net worth exceeding $12 million, even though her previous occupation was as an Assistant Manager at McDonald’s. The claim insinuated that the source of such wealth was dubious. Nevertheless, this particular speculation was rapidly discredited in early 2023.

By the middle of 2023, the financial narrative about Boebert had thus transformed. It was not about suspicious wealth anymore, but rather the lack thereof – a headline then declared that Boebert’s financial filings suggested she was nearly bankrupt. The fast-changing narrative clearly hinted at the inconsistent nature of the rumors about Boebert’s financial conditions.

In the previous month, the initial line of a news report on Boebert’s 2024 financial disclosure began with the claim that her submission had raised questions, given it disclosed… nothing at all. Though this was deemed surprising by some, one might wonder why this would be the case. The form required the elected officials to detail their assets, transactions, earned income, liabilities, positions, agreements, travel payments, and reimbursements, and payments to charity instead of honoraria.

In Boebert’s form for 2024, all the aforementioned categories were marked as ‘None disclosed.’ Not surprisingly, this form contains no reference to any assets belonging to others, nor indeed any assets at all. Assurance came from Boebert’s office insistently stating that the virtually blank 2024 financial disclosure form was not an oversight, but an accurate reflection of her financial status.

Providing a defense, Boebert’s comments veered towards comparing herself with other members of Congress who allegedly amass riches during their tenure. Simultaneously, she reasserted some of her previously made statements, attributing her financial struggles to past politicians and a former president, rather than accepting it as her own failure.

According to Boebert, as she stated in a declaration, the true state of her finances could be gleaned from her financial disclosure report. She adds, ‘It’s vital for those who voted for me to understand that I am not one of those moneyed congress members.’ While openly refusing to be discredited by those who assume they grasp her personal situation, her tone suggested a staunch defiance towards her critics.

Boebert made an emotional appeal to her constituents, arguing, ‘Neither myself nor my family was insulated from the disastrous economic policies, or the political figures who have rendered our state as one of the priciest places to reside in. Starting my life from scratch in 2024 as a single mother of four boys and a grandchild was a significant struggle, devoid of any handouts, concessions or gift cards.’

One important pointer that was referenced concerning Boebert’s financial state is – while she earns $174,000 annually and isn’t required to list the value of her personal residence – she could very likely be one of the least affluent members of Congress.