Silicon valley's secret influence on 2024 US election revealed

JD Vance’s Rockbridge directs funds to right-wing journalism, voter, polls and church activism, influencing key states

WASHINGTON:

Before JD Vance emerged as a vice presidential candidate, he co-founded a donor organisation backed by Silicon Valley to fund right-wing news, voter turnout initiatives, and election polls aimed at promoting Donald Trump’s nationalist agenda, as revealed by previously unreported documents.

Established in 2019, the Rockbridge Network aims to influence US politics through a centralised network of right-wing groups, supported by wealthy tech investors who also contributed to Vance’s political ascent.

The existence of Rockbridge and Vance’s connection to it were previously known, but internal documents and sources reviewed by Reuters reveal its significant ambitions, a budget of around $75 million for 2024, and its role in shaping the upcoming presidential election.

Rockbridge illustrates how Trump’s selection of Vance as his running mate could empower a new breed of Republican businessmen, particularly tech investors who advocate for deregulation, including reducing oversight of Wall Street, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence.

The financial backing of Rockbridge highlights Silicon Valley’s increasing sway in conservative politics, marking a shift from traditional Republican activists who have lost influence since Trump’s rise.

Rockbridge controls five political groups and one super PAC focused on funding right-wing investigative journalism, polls, voter mobilisation in battleground states, and encouraging churchgoers to engage in political activism, according to a seven-page prospectus shared with donors before an April retreat in Florida.

Vance, identified as Rockbridge’s co-founder, seems to hold no formal position in the group but maintains informal ties. He addressed over 100 members and donors at a bi-annual retreat in April, according to attendees and event memos.

Chris Buskirk, a Republican businessman and long-time associate of Vance, co-founded Rockbridge. The network’s donor outreach is managed by Rockbridge Network LLC, a for-profit Delaware company, whose owners remain undisclosed in corporate records.

Two Rockbridge officials, who manage donor contacts and contributions, are also part of Vance’s current fundraising team. Many Rockbridge donors also support Vance politically.

A spokesperson for Vance declined to comment on Rockbridge, and the Trump campaign did not respond to inquiries about the network’s role or its connections to campaign staff.

Vance’s challenging upbringing in Ohio inspired his best-selling memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy,” and the Trump campaign hopes his story will resonate with working-class voters. In his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, Vance emphasised the need for a leader who prioritises the working class over big business.

The Rockbridge network draws heavily from elite tech and investment circles, with several prominent Silicon Valley venture capitalists and crypto investors backing Trump. These conservative tech figures are concerned about the Biden administration’s stance on cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence.

Rockbridge has not disclosed its financial backers, as campaign-finance laws do not require it. However, sources indicate that its supporters include Peter Thiel, a libertarian billionaire who heavily funded Vance’s 2022 Senate campaign. Other backers include venture capitalist Blake Masters, investor Omeed Malik, and right-wing activist Rebekah Mercer, a major Trump donor.

Since becoming Trump’s running mate, Vance has held rallies in key states and headlined fundraisers, including one in Silicon Valley. His campaign has had its missteps, notably due to resurfaced comments about "childless cat ladies," which were criticised as misogynistic.

Reuters reviewed documents distributed to donors at Rockbridge’s April retreat in Florida. A five-page memo outlined the meeting’s agenda, and a seven-page prospectus detailed Rockbridge’s political goals and projects. A separate invitation was sent to donors for a private dinner in Dallas in July to discuss Rockbridge.

The guest speakers at the Palm Beach retreat underscored Rockbridge’s influence, with Trump speaking via video, Trump campaign co-chair Susie Wiles presenting on “Winning the White House,” and appearances by conservative legal figure Leonard Leo and Trump donor Woody Johnson.

Rockbridge is composed of smaller groups, with no public presence or websites, and has a budget of $70 million to $80 million for 2024, according to a source. Membership costs range from $100,000 to $1 million, per the prospectus.

Two of Rockbridge’s groups – Better Tomorrow and Over the Horizon – focus on voter mobilisation efforts, particularly in swing states, aiding Trump and Vance. Another group, Faithful in Action, aims to recruit churchgoers into political activism, claiming over 160,000 members.

Rockbridge’s media influence efforts are led by Firebrand Action, which funds right-wing investigative journalism and public polling. Firebrand, along with Revitalization Partners, supports polling included in RealClearPolitics and FiveThirtyEight, though the specific polls are not named.

Rockbridge has also served as a launchpad for new ventures, including 1789 Capital, a $150 million venture capital firm created by Buskirk, Malik, and Mercer to support conservative businesses. In April, Vance and Buskirk discussed policy issues at a Rockbridge donor event, with Vance emphasising his stance on Russia, the 2020 election, and family values.

Vance’s rise to the presidential ticket has spurred further donor interest in Rockbridge, with invitations sent to donors for a private dinner in Dallas to discuss the network’s activities.