Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Who's Supporting Trump? From Hollywood Celebs to the Kochs
The Koch brothers won't support Donald Trump in the Presidential race, funneling donations toward local elections instead. However, there are plenty of big spenders in Hollywood backing Trump, whether they're willing to admit it or not.
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenThe billionaire Koch brothers have been big contributors to Republican candidates for many years, but they've said they will not get behind Donald Trump in the presidential race, funneling their donations toward local elections instead. However, there are plenty of big spenders in Hollywood who are ready to drop some dollars on Trump's campaign. Are they willing to openly admit it?
Then, Los Angeles Unified School District has paid out more than $300 million to settle teacher sexual misconduct cases in just the last four years. What is LAUSD doing to prevent sexual abuse?
Also, a City Council committee voted to give nearly $200 million in taxpayer aid to a private developer over 25 years to get the Gehry Grand Avenue project done.
And finally, the ongoing drought has reignited a debate over the future of the Colorado River's great dams.
Photo: Gage Skidmore
In this episode
5 storiesWhich Hollywood Celebs Support Trump, and Who's Willing to Admit It?
The Koch brothers have been big contributors to Republican candidates and causes for many years, but the one candidate they've said they will not get behind is Donald Trump. There are plenty of other big spenders, however, ready to drop some dollars on Trump's presidential campaign.
Read the story9 minTurned 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.
Read the story14 minLA Unified Abuse Settlements Top $300 Million
The Los Angeles Unified School District has been plagued in recent years by a series of teacher sexual misconduct cases. As a result, the nation's second largest school district has paid out more than $300 million to sexual abuse victims in just the last four years.
Read the story9 minTaxpayer Aid Approved for Gehry Grand Avenue Project
For years, city leaders have been trying to turn downtown LA's Grand Avenue into a vibrant urban center. But the centerpiece piece of that vision has gone unrealized: a pair of towers designed by Frank Gehry, across from Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Read the story7 minDrought and the Future of Colorado River's Great Dams
The Glen Canyon Dam is an enormous structure located near the Utah-Arizona border about twenty miles north of the Grand Canyon. It was built to harness and store Colorado River water for surrounding states, and to generate clean energy to power the region.
Read the story8 min
