by WorldTribune Staff, August 3, 2018
The “globalist” Koch brothers are “two nice guys with bad ideas,” U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted on Aug. 2 in response to billionaire Charles Koch’s criticism of the president’s tariffs.
The Koch network, which did not support Trump in the 2016 election, also hinted at the possibility that it would back Democratic lawmakers on issues that reflect the network’s priorities.
Charles Koch said the tariffs were “ridiculous” and “unfair” to foreign countries and foreign workers.
Trump tweeted: “Charles Koch of Koch Brothers, who claims to be giving away millions of dollars to politicians even though I know very few who have seen this (?), now makes the ridiculous statement that what President Trump is doing is unfair to “foreign workers.” He is correct, AMERICA FIRST!”
The president followed with two more tweets, saying: “The globalist Koch Brothers, who have become a total joke in real Republican circles, are against Strong Borders and Powerful Trade. I never sought their support because I don’t need their money or bad ideas. They love my Tax & Regulation Cuts, Judicial picks & more. I made…..”
“….them richer. Their network is highly overrated, I have beaten them at every turn. They want to protect their companies outside the U.S. from being taxed, I’m for America First & the American Worker – a puppet for no one. Two nice guys with bad ideas. Make America Great Again!
Meanwhile, former White House chief adviser Steve Bannon accused the Koch brothers of undermining the Trump administration ahead of the midterm elections.
“What they have to do is shut up and get with the program, OK?” Bannon said in an interview with Politico.
“And here’s the program,” Bannon said. “Ground game to support Trump’s presidency and program; victory on Nov. 6.”
Bannon said it was not the time for the Koch network to “have some theoretical discussion and to have their spokesman come out and say the president is divisive.”
“We can have a theoretical discussion later, OK?” he said, adding: “This is why [the Kochs] don’t know what it means to win, OK?”
Referring to the Koch brothers’ ongoing lack of support for Trump, Bannon said “they were the first people to put the knife in [Trump’s] back.”
Koch network spokesperson James Davis told Politico that the network was “focused on uniting the country to help remove barriers that are preventing people from reaching their potential. Toward that end, we look forward to working with President Trump, Congress and communities whenever possible to help people improve their lives.”
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