I just read in two publications that VanEck and BitWise will be funding Core development.

https://bitcoinist.com/bitcoin-etf-by-vaneck-benefit-btc-core-developers/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2024/01/30/the-bitcoin-spot-etf-a-catalyst-for-change-in-bitcoin-first-companies/?sh=13226e9f2827

There is a clear conflict of interest here.  Should this be allowed? Should anyone have this kind of influence over the Core code?

As far as I know Satoshi developed the initial code and accepted no money in return for this very reason.