Lincoln Project’s Steve Schmidt torn by media for refusing to open books for audit



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As Project Lincoln continues to have a public meltdown following its handling of the John Weaver harassment scandal, one of the group’s co-founders is criticized by the media for questionable financial ethics.

Steve Schmidt, the former Republican strategist and a face of the anti-Trump group, told The Associated Press that Project Lincoln will open its books for audit as soon as the Trump campaign does too.

“We are fully complying with the law,” Schmidt said. “The Lincoln Project will be happy to open its books for audit immediately after the Trump campaign and all affiliated super PACs are doing so, explaining the cash flow of the nearly $ 700 million that has passed through their organizations controlled by Brad Parscale and Jared Kushner. “

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In addition to its alleged cover-up of Weaver’s predatory behavior towards young gay men, the Lincoln Project has come under fire for funneling more than half of its $ 90 million in donations to companies controlled by its executives. Even Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DN.Y., dismissed it last year as being in “rip off” territory. “

Journalists hammered Schmidt over his remark.

“Project Lincoln only promises transparency if the Trump campaign is transparent? Why?” New York Times reporter Shane Goldmacher wrote.

“This is a version of the standardization of low standards of conduct,” New York Times reporter Alex Burns wrote. “If you think you should only be subject to the same standards that a political rival you consider a moral abomination sets for itself … well, I guess I don’t know. . ”

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“I thought the very essence of Project Lincoln was that they stood at a higher level than Donald Trump and the Trump facilitators in the GOP,” wrote the Guardian’s Ben Jacobs.

The organization appears to be in free fall after a series of reports of Weaver’s online predatory behavior. In a story first told by Ryan Girdusky for the US Conservative Party, Weaver for years sent sex messages to men and put job opportunities and social media influence on hold.

Weaver introduced himself as gay to Axios last month and apologized for his behavior, and the Lincoln Project co-founders have denied knowledge of his conduct.

However, after the New York Times reported a 14-year-old as a victim of harassment, the group condemned Weaver as a liar and a predator. Fox News then reported that superiors were aware of a media investigation into his conduct last summer, New York Magazine reported on Thursday that they had been warned against Weaver and were aware of multiple allegations of misconduct.

Co-founder Jennifer Horn left the organization last week because of Weaver’s conduct, although the Lincoln Project has claimed it was because she asked for too much money to continue working there.

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Then on Thursday, the group came under new criticism after tweeting what appeared to be an exchange Horn had had with 19th News correspondent Amanda Becker. Former Lincoln Project Leader George Conway has denounced the group’s conduct.

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