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    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Turned Off by Trump, Kochs Focus on Local Elections

    Billionaires Charles and David Koch raised $400 million four years ago in a losing campaign against the reelection of President Obama. This year, the Kochs pledged to raise a war chest of almost $900 million to make sure a conservative candidate wins in November. That's more than the Republican Party itself is likely to raise.

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    By Madeleine Brand • May 25, 2016 • 1 min read

    Billionaires Charles and David Koch raised $400 million four years ago in a losing campaign against the reelection of President Obama. This year, the Kochs pledged to raise a war chest of almost $900 million to make sure a conservative candidate wins in November. That's more than the Republican Party itself is likely to raise. But the Koch brothers have been thwarted yet again, this time by the one GOP candidate they've said they won't support: Donald Trump. As a result, the Kochs reportedly have changed their minds about spending any money on the presidential election. Instead, they'll focus on local elections, and on continuing to support a network of conservative organizations they've helped build over four decades – organizations that have successfully helped usher in a Conservative era across the country.

    The full episode

    2 of 5
    Who's Supporting Trump? From Hollywood Celebs to the Kochs
    1. 0:30Which Hollywood Celebs Support Trump, and Who's Willing to Admit It?
    2. 10:43Turned Off by Trump, Kochs Focus on Local ElectionsYou’re reading this
    3. 25:34LA Unified Abuse Settlements Top $300 Million
    4. 34:19Taxpayer Aid Approved for Gehry Grand Avenue Project
    5. 42:09Drought and the Future of Colorado River's Great Dams
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Matt Holzman

      Producer, 'The Document'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Anna Scott

      Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jolie Myers

      Managing Producer, 'Press Play'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jane Mayer

      New Yorker

      News

    The full episode

    2 of 5
    Who's Supporting Trump? From Hollywood Celebs to the Kochs
    1. 0:30Which Hollywood Celebs Support Trump, and Who's Willing to Admit It?
    2. 10:43Turned Off by Trump, Kochs Focus on Local ElectionsYou’re reading this
    3. 25:34LA Unified Abuse Settlements Top $300 Million
    4. 34:19Taxpayer Aid Approved for Gehry Grand Avenue Project
    5. 42:09Drought and the Future of Colorado River's Great Dams
    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand