But Koch’s refusal to harness his singular operation in support of the Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, has put him at odds with some of his wealthiest peers – and forced the network to defend its relevance at a time of its greatest reach.
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The use of the phrase “blood libel” is fraught with problems: the Anti-Defamation League defines it as “a centuries-old false allegation that Jews murder Christians – especially Christian children – to use their blood for ritual purposes, such as an ingredient in the baking of Passover matzah (unleavened bread)”.
What is more, Koch said, rumors that he would support Hillary Clinton are “a blood libel”.
To win the network’s support, it is essential that a candidate “believes in and will fight for free markets”, Koch told donors behind closed doors, as energy entrepreneur Chris Wright told the Associated Press.
The donors argued that if Trump is elected, the Koch network would want to have influence on his emerging policies and cabinet picks, and to have access to a Trump administration.
The investment comes as the Koch brothers refuse to invest their tremendous resources in the presidential contest.
The Kochs’ primary concern now is “to preserve the country’s financial future, and to eliminate corporate welfare”, Charles said on Sunday.
“To address the current political crisis, our first objective is to stop the worst federal policies, regardless of who is the next president”, Koch said.
The Koch network largely opposes Trump’s position on immigration, trade, minimum wage and criminal justice reform.
On Friday, he tweeted that he had turned down an invitation to meet with the brothers.
Trump’s dire warnings of growing crime in America simply aren’t accurate, said Mark Holden, general counsel and senior vice president of Koch Industries.
The three-day Koch donors conference ends on Monday. “We are safer (now)”, he said.
Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey talked up policy successes in their states on Saturday night, avoiding discussion of the 2016 presidential contest altogether. “That’s what the data shows”. John Cornyn, South Carolina Sen.
The Freedom Partners Action Fund is targeting Nevada, Ohio and Pennsylvania in the television and online advertising blitz.
In some cases, the network may try to link Democratic Senate candidates to Clinton, he added, but there are no plans to go after her exclusively in paid advertising.
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“A lot of donors are saying, ‘Why are we spending money on Senate candidates and not trying to beat Hillary?'” said one well-connected Republican familiar with the views of major-party financiers, who requested anonymity to describe private conversations.
