RNC chair tells donors not to trust the Kochs

Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel sent a memo out to GOP candidates and supporters Thursday, warning them to not expect money from the Koch network ahead of the midterm elections, Reuters reports.

Billionaires Charles and David Koch founded the network, which includes dozens of donors who want to see lower taxes, fewer regulations, and free trade. The network has given millions to Republican candidates and causes, but at a conference last weekend, Charles Koch and his deputies said they were concerned about President Trump imposing billions in tariffs on goods from Canada, China, Mexico, and the European Union. The tariffs translate to higher prices in the United States and could lead to a recession, Koch network officials said, warning that they might support Democrats this election cycle.

In her memo, McDaniel wrote that "some groups who claim to support conservatives forgo their commitment when they decide their business interests are more important than those of the country or party," Reuters reports. "This is unacceptable." A Koch network spokesman told Reuters "just as we have in the past, we will work together with the president, elected officials, and others where we agree. And, where we disagree, we will do so in a civil way."

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