Conservative mega-donor Koch brothers won't try to derail Donald Trump

Protesters hold up masks of David and Bill Koch
(Image credit: Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images)

The Republican establishment should not count on billionaire conservative donors Charles and David Koch to stop the Donald Trump hostile takeover of their party. On Wednesday, Koch spokesman James Davis told Reuters that the brothers and their political advocacy umbrella group Freedom Partners "have no plans to get involved in the primary." The Kochs, who oppose many of Trump's policies, don't want to waste millions of dollars attacking Trump, when they have seen no sign that such attacks work, three sources tell Reuters. They also reportedly feel burned by pouring millions into unsuccessful 2012 races, notably Republican Mitt Romney's losing presidential bid.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.