Corporate media start-up Semafor counts amongst its investors the anti-Trump ‘Stand Together’ non-profit, founded by billionaire open borders enthusiast Charles Koch. Semafor itself was founded by former Buzzfeed editor-in-chief Ben Smith – famous for publishing the fake Russia “pee pee” dossier, as well as Justin Smith, former CEO of the Bloomberg Media Group.
Semafor disclosed Stand Together’s financial stake in a story the site ran on last-ditch efforts being made by other Koch-funded organizations to derail former President Donald Trump’s campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination:
“Semafor spent two days shadowing canvassers with AFP Action, the organization affiliated with Charles Koch that has been working since February to build a grassroots operation that will help nominate someone other than Trump. (Stand Together, the network Koch founded, is an investor in Semafor.)”
– Semafor, November 1st 2023
While it is not illegal for non-profit foundations like Stand Together to invest in – or even outright own – for-profit companies, the relationship between a media outlet and a non-profit that operates a network of activist and politically engaged groups could raise questions of potential bias. Semafor has even benefited from “scoops” from within the Koch network:
🟡🟡🟡 SCOOP: Koch Industries will name a new co-chief executive, preparing for a day without Charles Koch at the helm, @lizrhoffman reports in Semafor Business https://t.co/1RxWHhDeru
— Semafor (@semafor) March 2, 2023
The National Pulse has previously reported the Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity (AFP) – a subject of the Semafor story – has pledged over $70 million in the 2024 Republican presidential primary in opposition to former President Trump. It appears this is the first time AFP has waded into a presidential primary in its nearly 20-year history.
“The globalist Koch Brothers, who have become a total joke in real Republican circles, are against Strong Borders and Powerful Trade,” Trump tweeted in 2018. “I never sought their support because I don’t need their money or bad ideas.”
Other investors in Semafor include Sam Bankman-Fried – currently on trial for securities fraud, money laundering, and campaign finance violations – as well as Pfizer and the Tata Group, an Indian multi-national that has been accused of mass killings, theft, and corruption.
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