President Trump slammed billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch early Tuesday, calling their political network “highly overrated” after it indicated a willingness to support candidates other than Republicans.
Trump claimed free-market political network Americans for Prosperity is seen as “a total joke in real Republican circles” and that it’s against his immigration and trade policies.
“I never sought their support because I don’t need their money or bad ideas. They love my Tax & Regulation Cuts, Judicial picks & more,” Trump tweeted, claiming he “made them richer.”
He then said, “Their network is highly overrated, I have beaten them at every turn,” and accused them of wanting to protect their companies abroad from being taxed.
[Opinion: Koch brothers tell Republicans the free ride is over]
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…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 31, 2018
….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
Trump’s tweets come a day after Americans for Prosperity President Tim Phillips announced at the annual Koch donor conference that the network will not support Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., in his bid to unseat Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.
Phillips told donors that Cramer is “inconsistent across the board” on trade and spending issues important to the Koch network.
“We can’t support him at this time,” Phillips said.
