Billionaire brothers Charles G. Koch and David H. Koch, commonly referred to as the Koch brothers, are now saying they’ve had enough of GOP politics as usual.
During a three-day GOP retreat in Colorado Springs, the two joined other mega political donors to detract and dissuade from the new Trump norm in D.C.
Charles painted a bleak picture of the road ahead should nothing be done to stop this administration.
“The urge to protect ourselves from change has doomed many countries throughout history,” the 82-year-old industrialist said in a video shown to donors attending the meeting. “This protectionist mind-set has destroyed countless businesses.”
Charles backed Trump stopping the trade fights and immigration policies that have so far only backfired, saying a recession could occur “if it’s severe enough.”
Steve Bannon isn’t appreciating the divisive talk. In fact, he came out with arms flailing after the GOP meeting.
“We can have a theoretical discussion later, OK? This is why they don’t know what it means to win, OK? We don’t have time to have some theoretical discussion and to have their spokesman come out and say the president is divisive,” Bannon said.
Koch spokesman, James Davis, responded.
“We are focused on uniting the country to help remove barriers that are preventing people from reaching the potential,” he said. “Toward that end, we look forward to working with the President Trump, Congress and communities whenever possible to help people improve their lives.”
The Koch brothers announced a new TV ad on Sunday. The title is “Trade Not Aid” and deals with the $12 billion aid to farmers. They spent six figures on creating the video.
There were more than 500 major donors at the meeting in Colorado Springs. In total, they are accountable for at least $100,000 annually each to the Koch network, which includes organizations working on politics, public policy and at the community level on education, recidivism and other issues, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The Koch brothers have vowed to spend $300 million to $400 million to back policies it favors and support candidates in the midterm elections this November.
With so much at stake, the Koch brothers have the potential to reshape the failed GOP framework under Trump’s rule. But will they?