Koch Network to Oppose Trump in 2024

Image copyright: AP [via The Wall Street Journal]

The Facts

  • Americans for Prosperity (AFP), a conservative group that spends billions on campaigns and is backed by billionaire Charles Koch, said Sunday it will support a candidate other than former Pres. Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential primaries.

  • Though many AFP donors were fans of Trump in 2016, Koch and his brothers were not; they stayed out of those primaries. The PAC reportedly donated $80M during the 2022 midterms.


The Spin

Republican narrative

Plenty of Republican candidates and groups have their knives out for Trump. If they’re right, and an alternative candidate is necessary to retake the White House, they better coalesce around one Trump challenger rather than making the mistakes they made in 2016.

Pro-Trump narrative

Trump doesn't win all the time, but that doesn't take away his overall winning track record or his potential for victory in 2024. Just like 2016, liberals and never-Trumpers are handwringing over Trump’s candidacy spelling doom for Republicans. But rank-and-file Republicans still love him, and if he gets enough of their votes, he should be allowed to ride his way to the nomination, and possibly the White House.


Metaculus Prediction


Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

More neutral establishment stance articles