BREAKING NEWS: MOMS FOR LIBERTY IS JUST CHARLES KOCH'S TEA PARTY IN DRAG
In a shocking revelation, it has been discovered that Moms for Liberty, the supposedly nonpartisan grassroots organization advocating for parental rights in education, is actually just the Tea Party in drag. And who is behind this cunning disguise? None other than billionaire industrialist Charles Koch and his network of right-wing groups and organizations.
It all started with the Tea Party movement, a loose network of local groups that emerged in 2009 as a conservative backlash against the Obama administration. The movement was funded and supported by the Koch brothers, who have been known to support various right-wing causes and groups in the US. The Tea Party's agenda was to promote limited government, lower taxes, and constitutionalism, and it was influential in shaping the Republican party and its candidates in the 2010 and 2014 midterm elections.
Fast forward to 2021, and we have Moms for Liberty, a new group founded by three Florida women, one of whom is married to the chair of the Florida GOP. The group claims to be nonpartisan, but has been criticized for promoting anti-LGBTQ, anti-mask, and anti-critical race theory views and policies. And who is behind this group? You guessed it - Charles Koch and his network of right-wing groups and organizations.
The Joyful Warriors Moms for Liberty national summit was held in Philadelphia from June 29 to July 2, 2023, and featured several prominent speakers, including former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. The summit also attracted hundreds of protesters from local groups who accused Moms for Liberty of spreading hate and misinformation, and of harassing school officials and teachers.
Moms for Liberty has faced criticism for various reasons, such as harassment of teachers, administrators, parents, and school board members who disagree with their views or policies; deepening divisions among parents and communities over issues such as masks, vaccines, LGBTQ rights, and critical race theory; making students' education more difficult by trying to remove books, materials, and programs that they deem inappropriate or harmful; and having close ties to the Republican Party rather than being a nonpartisan grassroots organization.
But let's face it - Moms for Liberty is just the Tea Party in drag. It's the same old agenda of limited government, lower taxes, and constitutionalism, dressed up in a new outfit. And who is behind this disguise? None other than Charles Koch and his network of right-wing groups and organizations.
Some of the other wealthy supporters of right-wing policies similar to the Koch network are the Mercer family, led by hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebekah; the Adelson family, led by casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miriam; the Searle Freedom Trust, founded by the late pharmaceutical heir Daniel Searle; and the Sarah Scaife Foundation, established by the late banking heir Richard Mellon Scaife.
Compared to other political actors in the US, Koch's political influence is unrivaled in its scope, scale, and sophistication. But let's not forget that Koch's political influence is subject to public scrutiny, criticism, and resistance from various media outlets, watchdog groups, activists, and citizens. And now that we know that Moms for Liberty is just the Tea Party in drag, we can see through this cunning disguise and hold Charles Koch accountable for his political agenda.
Moms for Liberty Is the Tea Party All Over Again | The Nation https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/moms-for-liberty-summit/
THE DEFT DIVE
- - The **Koch brothers** are billionaire industrialists who have funded and supported various **rightwing causes** and groups in the US, including the **Tea Party movement**, which emerged in 2009 as a conservative backlash against the Obama administration¹².
- - The **Tea Party movement** is not a single organization, but a loose network of local groups that share a common agenda of limited government, lower taxes, and constitutionalism. The movement has been influential in shaping the Republican party and its candidates, especially in the 2010 and 2014 midterm elections¹².
- - The **Moms for Liberty** is a relatively new group that was founded in January 2021 by three Florida women, one of whom is married to the chair of the Florida GOP. The group claims to be a nonpartisan grassroots organization that advocates for parental rights in education, but has been criticized for promoting **anti-LGBTQ**, **anti-mask**, and **anti-critical race theory** views and policies³⁵⁷.
- - The **Joyful Warriors Moms for Liberty** is the name of the group's national summit that was held in Philadelphia from June 29 to July 2, 2023. The summit featured several prominent speakers, such as former President **Donald Trump**, Florida Governor **Ron DeSantis**, and former UN Ambassador **Nikki Haley**, who are all potential contenders for the 2024 presidential election⁵⁶.
- - The summit also attracted hundreds of **protesters** from local groups who accused the Moms for Liberty of spreading hate and misinformation, and of harassing school officials and teachers. The protesters chanted \"Hate has no place here\" and held signs that read \"Stop the lies\" and \"Educate, don't indoctrinate\"⁶⁷.
Bing, 7/5/2023
(1) Tea Party movement: Billionaire Koch brothers who helped it grow. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/oct/13/tea-party-billionaire-koch-brothers.
(2) How the Koch brothers built the most powerful rightwing group you've .... https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/26/koch-brothers-americans-for-prosperity-rightwing-political-group.
(3) American Women, not Koch Brothers, birthed the Tea Party Movement. https://legalinsurrection.com/2013/02/american-women-not-koch-brothers-birthed-the-tea-party-movement/.
(4) Trump, DeSantis and more address Moms for Liberty conference. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/moms-liberty-fired-philadelphia/story?id=100554051.
(5) Trump, DeSantis, protestors rally at Moms For Liberty convention. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/06/30/moms-for-liberty-convention-philadelphia-protests/70363926007/.
(6) Event - Moms for Liberty 2023 Summit. https://www.momsforliberty.org/events/1418/.
(7) 2023 Joyful Warriors National Summit | M4L National - USA. https://www.momsforliberty.org/summit23/.
Moms for Liberty has faced criticism for various reasons, such as:
- - **Harassment** of teachers, administrators, parents, and school board members who disagree with their views or policies. Some critics have reported receiving threats, insults, and intimidation from Moms for Liberty members or supporters²³⁴.
- - **Deepening divisions** among parents and communities over issues such as masks, vaccines, LGBTQ rights, and critical race theory. Some critics have accused Moms for Liberty of spreading misinformation, fearmongering, and polarization²³⁴.
- - **Making students' education more difficult** by trying to remove books, materials, and programs that they deem inappropriate or harmful. Some critics have argued that Moms for Liberty is censoring diverse perspectives, limiting academic freedom, and undermining educational quality²⁴⁵.
- - **Having close ties to the Republican Party** rather than being a nonpartisan grassroots organization. Some critics have pointed out that Moms for Liberty was founded by former GOP officials, has received funding and support from conservative donors and groups, and has endorsed or hosted Republican candidates and politicians¹²³.
These are some of the main reasons why Moms for Liberty has been criticized. However, the group has also defended its actions and goals as being motivated by parental rights, children's welfare, and constitutional values. The group has also denied being hateful, violent, or partisan¹²³.
Bing, 7/5/2023
(1) Moms for Liberty Has Aggressive, Predatory Tactics—and They ... - VICE. https://www.vice.com/en/article/dy3gnq/what-is-moms-for-liberty.
(2) Activist moms spy on each other in culture wars over schooling. https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/20/us/colorado-moms-for-liberty-liberals-spying/index.html.
(3) US conservative group apologizes for using Hitler quote in newsletter .... https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/23/moms-for-liberty-hitler.
(4) Moms Threatened With Lawsuit For Questioning CRT Curriculum. https://thefederalist.com/2021/07/09/moms-threatened-with-lawsuit-for-questioning-radical-leftist-indoctrination-of-their-kids/.
(5) Moms for Liberty - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moms_for_Liberty.
Some of the right wing groups and organizations that Koch supports are:
- - **Americans for Prosperity (AFP)**, a political advocacy group that promotes lower taxes, less regulation, and free markets. AFP has been involved in various campaigns and initiatives to oppose Obamacare, climate change legislation, labor unions, and public education reforms¹²⁴.
- - **The Cato Institute**, a libertarian think tank that conducts research and analysis on various policy issues, such as trade, immigration, civil liberties, and foreign affairs. The Cato Institute was co-founded by Charles Koch and has received funding from the Koch family foundations¹³.
- - **The Heritage Foundation**, a conservative think tank that promotes traditional values, national security, and limited government. The Heritage Foundation has received donations from the Koch family foundations and has collaborated with AFP on several projects, such as opposing Obamacare and promoting voter ID laws¹².
- - **The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)**, a nonprofit organization that brings together state legislators and corporate representatives to draft and promote model bills on various conservative issues, such as gun rights, school choice, and environmental deregulation. ALEC has received funding from the Koch family foundations and has partnered with AFP on several initiatives¹².
- - **The Federalist Society**, a network of conservative lawyers, judges, and legal scholars that advocates for originalism and textualism in constitutional interpretation. The Federalist Society has received funding from the Koch family foundations and has influenced the selection of several conservative judges for the federal courts¹².
These are some of the main right wing groups and organizations that Koch supports. However, there are many more groups and organizations that have received funding or support from the Koch network over the years¹².
Bing, 7/5/2023
(1) Political activities of the Koch brothers - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_activities_of_the_Koch_brothers.
(2) How the Koch brothers built the most powerful rightwing group you've .... https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/26/koch-brothers-americans-for-prosperity-rightwing-political-group.
(3) The Radical Capitalist Behind the Critical Race Theory Furor. https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/charles-koch-crt-backlash/.
(4) Five key ways the Koch brothers pushed their rightwing agenda. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/23/koch-brothers-agenda-key-donations-promotions.
Some of the other main wealthy supporters of right wing policies similar to the Koch network are:
- - **The Mercer family**, led by hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebekah. The Mercers have funded various conservative media outlets and organizations, such as Breitbart News, Project Veritas, and the Media Research Center. They have also been major donors to Republican candidates and groups, such as Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and the Club for Growth¹².
- - **The Adelson family**, led by casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miriam. The Adelsons have been prolific donors to conservative media outlets and organizations, such as the Washington Free Beacon, the Jewish News Syndicate, and the Israel Hayom newspaper. They have also been influential backers of Republican candidates and groups, such as Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, and the Republican Jewish Coalition¹².
- - **The Searle Freedom Trust**, founded by the late pharmaceutical heir Daniel Searle. The trust has supported various conservative media outlets and organizations, such as Reason Foundation, Real Clear Foundation, and the National Review Institute. It has also funded several right wing think tanks and policy shops, such as the Heritage Foundation, the Cato Institute, and the American Legislative Exchange Council¹².
- - **The Sarah Scaife Foundation**, established by the late banking heir Richard Mellon Scaife. The foundation has supported various conservative media outlets and organizations, such as Judicial Watch, Accuracy in Media, and the Center for Security Policy. It has also funded several right wing think tanks and policy shops, such as the Heritage Foundation, the Cato Institute, and the American Enterprise Institute¹³.
These are some of the main wealthy supporters of right wing policies similar to the Koch network. However, there are many more donors and foundations that have contributed to conservative media outlets and organizations over the years¹².
Bing, 7/5/2023
(1) How the Koch brothers built the most powerful rightwing group you've .... https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/26/koch-brothers-americans-for-prosperity-rightwing-political-group.
(2) Right-Wing Megadonors Are Financing Media Operations to ... - PR Watch. https://www.prwatch.org/news/2020/01/13531/right-wing-megadonors-are-financing-media-operations-promote-their-ideologies.
(3) Five key ways the Koch brothers pushed their rightwing agenda. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/23/koch-brothers-agenda-key-donations-promotions.
(4) Right-Wing Megadonors Are Financing Media Operations to ... - EXPOSEDbyCMD. https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2020/01/27/right-wing-megadonors-financing-media-operations-promote-their-ideologies/.
Some of the other conservative donors are:
- - **The Adelson family**, led by casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miriam. The Adelsons have been prolific donors to conservative media outlets and organizations, such as the Washington Free Beacon, the Jewish News Syndicate, and the Israel Hayom newspaper. They have also been influential backers of Republican candidates and groups, such as Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, and the Republican Jewish Coalition¹².
- - **The Mercer family**, led by hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebekah. The Mercers have funded various conservative media outlets and organizations, such as Breitbart News, Project Veritas, and the Media Research Center. They have also been major donors to Republican candidates and groups, such as Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and the Club for Growth¹².
- - **The Searle Freedom Trust**, founded by the late pharmaceutical heir Daniel Searle. The trust has supported various conservative media outlets and organizations, such as Reason Foundation, Real Clear Foundation, and the National Review Institute. It has also funded several right wing think tanks and policy shops, such as the Heritage Foundation, the Cato Institute, and the American Legislative Exchange Council¹².
- - **Donors Trust** and **Donors Capital Fund**, two connected donor-advised fund sponsors that allow wealthy conservatives to anonymously funnel money to various right wing causes and groups. Some of the recipients of Donors Trust funds include traditionalist Catholic parishes, pro-life organizations, religious liberty law firms, free-market think tanks, and academic groups that advocate libertarianism and constitutional originalism³⁴.
These are some of the other conservative donors. However, there are many more donors and foundations that have contributed to conservative causes and groups over the years¹².
Bing, 7/5/2023
(1) Who are the Biggest Donors? • OpenSecrets. https://www.opensecrets.org/elections-overview/biggest-donors?cycle=2020&view=fc.
(2) We tracked media owners' political donations: Here's what we found. https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2021/09/08/tracking-media-owners-political-donations/5719743001/.
(3) Exposed: The Dark-Money ATM of the Conservative Movement. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/02/donors-trust-donor-capital-fund-dark-money-koch-bradley-devos/.
(4) Right-wing Catholic causes got millions from group that funded some .... https://www.ncronline.org/news/people/right-wing-catholic-causes-got-millions-group-funded-some-capitol-rioters.
Koch's political influence is hard to measure precisely, but it is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and pervasive in the US. Some of the factors that contribute to Koch's political influence are:
- - **The Koch network**, a vast and complex web of groups, organizations, and individuals that share the Koch brothers' libertarian and conservative vision for America. The network includes think tanks, policy shops, advocacy groups, political action committees, donor-advised funds, and grassroots activists. The network has been involved in various campaigns and initiatives to promote lower taxes, less regulation, free markets, and constitutionalism¹².
- - **The Koch money**, a massive and often secretive source of funding for the Koch network and other conservative causes and groups. The Koch brothers have an estimated net worth of over $100 billion, and have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on politics over the years. They have also mobilized other wealthy donors to join their efforts through semi-annual donor summits¹².
- - **The Koch strategy**, a long-term and multifaceted plan to influence American politics and society at all levels. The Koch brothers have been pursuing their political agenda since the late 1970s, when they co-founded the Cato Institute, one of the first libertarian think tanks. They have also invested in academic programs, judicial nominations, state legislatures, local tax initiatives, media outlets, and public opinion¹²³.
Compared to other political actors in the US, Koch's political influence is unrivaled in its scope, scale, and sophistication. However, Koch's political influence is not uncontested or unchallenged. There are other wealthy donors and groups that support different or opposing policies and politics, such as George Soros, Tom Steyer, Michael Bloomberg, labor unions, environmental organizations, and progressive movements²⁴. Koch's political influence is also subject to public scrutiny, criticism, and resistance from various media outlets, watchdog groups, activists, and citizens²³.
Bing, 7/5/2023
(1) How the Koch brothers fundamentally changed modern politics. https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/23/politics/david-koch-charles-koch-brothers/index.html.
(2) Why the Koch brothers' political machine is 'unrivalled in America .... https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/david-koch-brothers-political-influence-1.5258077.
(3) Political activities of the Koch brothers - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_activities_of_the_Koch_brothers.
(4) Capital Rivals: Koch Brothers vs. George Soros • OpenSecrets. https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2010/09/opensecrets-battle-koch-brothers/.
