President Donald Trump went on Twitter Tuesday morning and angrily attacked the Koch Brothers, who have long been two of the biggest donors to the Republican Party. Trump’s attacks were a response to reports on Monday that the Kochs have become very critical of the president and they have started to withhold  donations from pro-Trump GOP candidates.
In his first tweet Trump accused the Kochs of being ungrateful even though he “made them richer†with his tax cut. He also said they were “a total joke in Republican circles†which is questionable when you look at how many GOP candidates are actively seeking Koch monetary support.
“The globalist Koch Brothers, who have become a total joke in real Republican circles, are against Strong Borders and Powerful Trade. I never sought their support because I don’t need their money or bad ideas. They love my Tax & Regulation Cuts, Judicial picks and more. I made them richer.â€
The globalist Koch Brothers, who have become a total joke in real Republican circles, are against Strong Borders and Powerful Trade. I never sought their support because I don’t need their money or bad ideas. They love my Tax & Regulation Cuts, Judicial picks & more. I made…..
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— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 31, 2018
He then said the Koch Network is “highly overrated†and boasted that he has “beaten them at every turn†saying they aren’t as powerful as many people have made them out to be.
“Their network is highly overrated, I have beaten them at every turn. They want to protect their companies outside the U.S. from being taxed, I’m for America First & the American Worker – a puppet for no one.â€
….them richer. Their network is highly overrated, I have beaten them at every turn. They want to protect their companies outside the U.S. from being taxed, I’m for America First & the American Worker – a puppet for no one. Two nice guys with bad ideas. Make America Great Again!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 31, 2018
In attacking the Kochs Trump has made clear that he is going for the support of his base of supporters who want tariffs and a protectionist trade program that puts “America First.†He has not backed down in his trade war even though it appears to be costing American jobs.
The Koch Network had a seminar in Colorado over the weekend where the Kochs publicly criticized Trump for his immigration and trade policies.
Koch Network spokesman Brian Hooks told reporters at the seminar:
“The divisiveness of this White House is causing long-term damage. When in order to win on an issue someone else has to lose, it makes it very difficult to unite people and solve the problems in this country. You see that on trade: In order to get to a good place on trade, convince the American people that trade is bad.â€
In a rare interview after the seminar Charles Koch himself the elder brother said he regretted supporting some Republicans in the past and he could be open to supporting some Democrats. He said that in the future he would be “much stricter†about who he donated to and that he planned to hold anyone he backed “accountable.â€
Asked about supporting Democratic Party candidates, Koch replied, “I don’t care what initials are in front of or after somebody’s name.†He then added that a Democratic majority House of Representatives was “something I could live with.â€
I am a lifelong Democrat with a passion for social justice and progressive issues. I have degrees in writing, economics and law from the University of Iowa.
