Who are the Kochs and Does Their Tiff With Trump Matter?

Who are the Kochs and Does Their Tiff With Trump Matter?

Top of Mind with Julie Rose

Who are the Kochs and Does Their Tiff With Trump Matter?, Saving Zion for the Future, Reviving Infants' Dying Hearts

Episode: Who are the Kochs and Does Their Tiff With Trump Matter?, Saving Zion for the Future, Reviving Infants' Dying Hearts

  • Aug 14, 2018 9:00 pm
  • 18:19 mins

Guest: Kenneth Vogel, Reporter, The New York Times, Author of “Big Money” You’ve likely heard of the “Koch network,” established by a wealthy trio of brothers – last name Koch – who run a chemical and manufacturing empire. The Kochs have built a libertarian political operation over the years that some investigative reporters say rivals the Republican Party itself in size and influence. Which is why a recent dispute between Charles Koch and President Trump got a lot of attention: Koch levied some harsh criticism toward Trump’s trade policies at a meeting with major donors. Trump responded by calling the Koch brothers “a total joke” on Twitter, adding, “I don’t need their money or bad ideas.” Maybe this is just another one of Trump’s Twitter tiffs. But just what is the power the Koch network holds and does its influence have any bearing on life outside Washington?