In a recent White House roundtable, President Trump focused on the financial support enabling radical leftist groups like Antifa. Hosted alongside Seamus Bruner, research director at the Government Accountability Institute, the meeting aimed to shed light on the “protest industrial complex” responsible for funding violence and chaos in American cities. Bruner emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting, “This is not just a story about violence and chaos… This is a money story.”
The findings unveiled at the roundtable were alarming. Bruner pointed out that over $100 million has circulated within networks connected to Antifa and other far-left groups. This includes at least $4 million from U.S. taxpayers. The funds have not only contributed to destructive protests in cities such as Portland and Chicago but also supported organizations that provide bail funds and legal resources for violent offenders, essentially facilitating their quick return to the streets.
According to Bruner, this extensive network of radical organizations is far deeper than many realize. “It doesn’t just have the Antifa ‘boots-on-the-ground’ division — it has PR divisions, marketing divisions, and a very well-funded legal division,” he explained. By detailing this network, he revealed that taxpayer money has been intermingled with radical funding sources, which includes connections to international benefactors.
Bruner specifically highlighted the riots surrounding the “Stop Cop City” protests in Atlanta, where over 60 individuals faced charges of domestic terrorism. Many of these groups had ties to left-wing foundations that received financial support from both billionaires and taxpayer funds. He identified various funding sources, including the Open Society network and others, stating, “It’s not just the Soros network — it’s other funding networks: the Arabella funding network, the Tides funding network.” This expansive financial web operates on a scale that could shock many Americans.
One of the most shocking aspects of Bruner’s conclusions is the mention of foreign contributions to these organizations. He called out individuals who do not even hold U.S. citizenship, such as Hansjörg Wyss from Switzerland, suggesting their investment in what he terms “Riot, Inc.” serves to undermine American societal stability.
Furthermore, Bruner expressed concern about the methods used by these networks to fund activities, including the use of decentralized crowdfunding platforms. He explained that while many radical groups do not have formal corporate structures, they still manage to secure substantial funding through sophisticated channels. “Just because they don’t have LLCs or EIN numbers doesn’t mean they can’t get paid,” he cautioned.
This crackdown comes amid a backdrop of increasing scrutiny on the funding driving protests across the nation. Critics argue that the administration has been slow to act, but now further investigations by figures in Congress are being pursued to understand the connections fully. For example, recent calls for investigations into the financial support behind riots echo the concerns presented by Bruner at the roundtable.
Elon Musk backed the findings, stating they could be even more severe than reported. “It’s way more than $100 million in U.S. taxpayer money,” he declared, amplifying the urgency of tracking these financial flows. The implications of such statements resonate with a broader audience that is becoming increasingly aware of the mechanism fueling domestic unrest.
The evidence laid out by Bruner and supported by Musk reveals a troubling trend: taxpayer dollars and external funding align to empower groups whose agendas may be counter to the interests of many Americans. As investigations continue, the question remains: how deep does this web of funding reach, and what will be done about it? The recent disclosures mark a significant step in uncovering the financial tactics behind the chaos, and they promise to shed light on the hidden influences that shape many of today’s protests.
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