In an intriguing turn of events, the formidable Koch network, funded by billionaire GOP mega-donor Charles Koch, is orchestrating a significant fundraising effort to hinder former President Donald Trump’s chances of securing the Republican presidential nomination.
Through a method reminiscent of their 2016 campaign, the Koch network aims to halt Trump’s political trajectory as he eyes a potential rematch with President Joe Biden in the upcoming elections.
The New York Times has meticulously analyzed records and discovered that the Koch network has already amassed over $70 million for this endeavor, signaling their resolute determination. Their strategy is outlined in a preliminary draft of the filings for Americans for Prosperity Action, a group closely associated with the network.
The influential donors behind this formidable effort include individuals such as Art Pope, a North Carolina businessman who engaged in a policy retreat with former Vice President Mike Pence before he entered the presidential race, as well as Craig Duchossois, a notable Chicago businessman. Moreover, the Walton brothers, who inherited the Walmart fortune, and Ron Cameron, an influential Arkansas poultry magnate, have also emerged as prominent contributors.
Remarkably, two groups closely tied to Charles Koch have played a pivotal role in contributing $50 million to this undertaking. Koch himself, a substantial shareholder in Koch Industries, has personally donated $25 million to Americans for Prosperity Action. Additionally, Stand Together, a nonprofit organization founded by Koch, has contributed another $25 million to bolster the campaign.
While the Koch network’s intentions for the 2024 presidential primaries have not been explicitly disclosed in written internal communications, insiders have revealed their primary objective: to prevent Donald Trump from securing the Republican nomination.
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In February, Emily Seidel, a key political figure within the network, circulated a memo among donors and activists emphasizing the need for a fresh chapter with a new president in 2025. This ambitious fundraising campaign marks the first time the Koch network has directly engaged in a GOP presidential primary.
However, it is worth noting that during the 2016 presidential race, network donors, under the leadership of former executive Marc Short, attempted to undermine Trump’s candidacy. Subsequently, Short went on to serve in Trump’s White House and now advises former Vice President Mike Pence in his own bid for the GOP nomination.
According to sources cited by The Times, donors affiliated with the Koch network initially considered extending their support to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as a viable alternative to Trump in the Republican primary. However, they have reportedly reconsidered this stance due to what they perceive as a rocky campaign kickoff by DeSantis on Twitter Spaces, a live audio conversation platform.
The donors are now directing their attention towards Senator Tim Scott from South Carolina, viewing him as a potential candidate who could challenge Trump’s nomination.
The longstanding rift between the Koch network and Trump is rooted in policy disagreements, particularly concerning immigration and trade. While the Kochs have traditionally advocated for mass waves of legal immigration and unfettered free trade, Trump’s policy approach has veered towards economic nationalism.
Trump has consistently emphasized the need to curtail overall immigration levels into the United States and has imposed tariffs on foreign imports, particularly from China.
The rift within the Republican Party will be a huge factor in the GOP nomination. The Koch network’s determination to reshape the party’s future trajectory away from Trump will make for bumpy primary. The real question is whether the loser of the primary will support the winner or all of this will be for not in the end.
