On CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday, Axelrod instead told host Candy Crowley that journalists needed to probe the source of the groups’ donations. Democrats allege that foreign influences and special interests are helping fund a blitz of campaign ads against their party.

“They say, trust us, trust us, we’re — everything is cool, everything is kosher, don’t worry about it, but we’re not going to disclose,” Axelrod said. “Let me tell you something, people don’t disclose, there’s a reason.”

He also alleged that the spending of 501(c) groups coupled with the lack of disclosure may not be on the up and up. “It’s perfectly legal if they spend a majority of their money on something else,” Axelrod said. “It would be interesting to see if that’s the case.”