GOP donors to Kochs: Back Trump

New York, July 29: A group of at least six wealthy Republican donors is urging the billionaire Koch brothers to step off the sidelines of the US presidential election to back Donald Trump, arguing they will want influence with the New York businessman they have harshly criticised if he wins the White House in November.

The financiers, prominent members of the sprawling 700- member Koch donor network, have been making their case in emails and phone calls to Charles and David Koch ahead of their bi- annual donor seminar, which begins Saturday in Colorado, according to four donors involved in the loosely- coordinated effort and advisers representing two others.

An endorsement from the Kochs would be a radical departure. The industrialist brothers have railed against Mr Trump’s “monstrous” rhetoric and protectionist policies on immigration and trade. They have said they will not get involved in the presidential election and will instead focus on Senate races.

All the while, Mr Trump has blasted the donor class and vowed not to become a “puppet” of outside interests as he campaigns to win the November 8 poll. But there is room for a detente.

Mr Trump’s vice- presidential running mate, Indiana governor Mike Pence, has long been a darling of the Koch network, and Mr Trump’s fledgling campaign finance operation could use a cash injection as it faces a $ 1 billion general election battle against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. — Reuters