A weakened political tone at the largest meeting of the Koch Donors Network



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A record number of wealthy donors rallied on the private retirement weekend of conservative billionaire industrialist Charles Koch, during which the leaders of the powerful political network adopted a decidedly different, more moderate tone than in the past.

Kochs as GOP icons spoke of their strained relations with Donald Trump, the last biannual meeting of the network took place while the president conceded his immediate request to restore the government after the longest closure of history and that Democrats were taking control of the US House of Representatives following the 2018 elections.

On Saturday night, Charles Koch told donors that attitudes toward Supposed opponents and people of different convictions were tearing the country apart, but his network was striving to "unite with anyone else". on the right. "

" This network has been brought to a whole new level, "said Koch, speaking at a luxury hotel in the California desert for donors who have pledged to at least $ 100,000 a year to the vast network of political, political, educational and philanthropic organizations Koch Twelve Deason from Texas, a prominent Koch donor, said the internal conflicts between Koch and Trump were an "old story" and that the Conservatives were united, especially after taking the Democrats Control of the House.

"I just do not think that there was a large amount of animosity. It has been exaggerated, "said Deason.

Long regarded as a well-known maker of GOP realms for his trade promotion program." David and Charles Koch have been making waves in recent years by scandalizing Trump and his administration

They refused to support Trump in the 2016 election, vowing to hold him accountable for conservative priorities such as free trade, free markets and small government, and spoke out against the White House over the Immigration and infrastructure spending.

In 2018, Trump responded on Twitter by criticizing the Kochs as "a total joke in reality." The "blue circles" who "are opposed to strong borders and to a powerful trade. "

Some donors have publicly expressed their disappointment at the Koch network's fight with Trump, but the network is not far behind.Koch recently announced that he would not support Trump's bid for reelection for 2020, but would rather support the Senate and House of State elections and the legislature to have the greatest impact.

"We found overwhelming support that reaffirms the strengths of That is confirmed by the fact that we will be hosting our largest group of fans this weekend in Palm Springs, "said Koch Network spokesman James Davis in a statement.

One of the leading conservative supporters of The Koch Network shows that he is increasingly willing to work with the Democrats and invest in non-profit groups to promote his vision of "free and open societies."

Ave. c vice-president Mike Pence as a long-time ally in Koch, there has been progress and political victories. The Koch Network played a pivotal role in the GOP's 2017 tax overhaul and the 2018 prison system reform signed by Trump.

Weekend events will include seminars featuring the latest work and agenda of the network, as well as elected representatives and other influencers. Republican politicians, including US senators Mike Lee (Utah) and Ben Sasse (Nebraska) and Kentucky governor Matt Bevin, are present.

The Associated Press is among a limited number of media organizations invited to cover certain portions of private retirement on the condition that donors must give their permission to be identified.

Follow Sally Ho on Twitter: https://twitter.com/-SallyHo

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