Robert Mercer
Credentials
- Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Illinois1“Robert Mercer,” Inside Philanthropy. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/M0nxs
- B.S. from the University of New Mexico
Background
Robert Mercer, 70, is the co-chief executive officer of the hedge fund Renaissance Technologies. In November 2017, in an effort to distance himself from controversy, Mercer announced he would step down from the hedge fund after facing “great scrutiny from the press” as well as sell his stake in Breitbart News to his daughters. In 2016, Mercer and his daughter Rebekah Mercer emerged as influential figures in Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.2“Reclusive mega-donor fueling Donald Trump’s White House hopes,” The Center for Public Integrity, October 7, 2016. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/QhbU1 3“The Mercers Wash Their Hands of Milo,” The Atlantic, November 2, 2017. Archived November 3, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/tzcq9 4Janet Lorin and Katherine Burton. “RenTech’s Robert Mercer to Exit as Co-CEO, Sell Breitbart Stake,” Bloomberg, November 2, 2017. Archived November 3, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/UY7Nx
Robert Mercer was listed as #18 on Forbes’s list of the highest-earning Hedge Fund Managers in 2016 with earnings listed at $150 million. Mercer is one of the Republican Party’s largest contributors, and spent $11 million backing Ted Cruz’s presidential bid. Mercer formerly worked at IBM, where he developed speech recognition programs at the Thomas J. Watson Research Center. He and IBM colleague Peter Brown joined James Simons’ Renaissance Technologies in 1993 where they now serve as co-CEOs.5“Robert Mercer,” Inside Philanthropy. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/M0nxs 6“#18 Robert Mercer,” Forbes. Accessed November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/ABvhw
Robert Mercer’s foundation, The Mercer Family Foundation, is run by his daughter Rebekah Mercer and has funnelled millions of dollars to conservative causes. Mercer and his foundation have funded a variety of climate change denial think tanks as well as climate deniers like Arthur Robinson of the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine (OISM).7“What Kind of Man Spends Millions to Elect Ted Cruz?” Bloomberg, January 20, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Oe3hY 8“Robert Mercer,” Inside Philanthropy. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/M0nxs
According to Politico, both Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebekah regularly attended Koch donor summits and initially contributed to the Koch network. However, when Rebekah became frustrated with the political ineffectiveness of the network, they shifted focus to the Mercer Family Foundation and used it to channel their support to conservative causes. In their time supporting the Kochs, the Mercer family gave at least $25 million to the network of Koch-connected groups. In 2014, Robert Mercer mad ea $2.5 million contribution nto the Koch’s Freedom Parters Action fund, prompting the headling in Bloomberg News: “The Man who out-Koched the Kochs.”9“The most powerful woman in GOP politics,” Politico, September 7, 2016. Archived November 2, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/c2xts 10Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh 11“The Man Who Out-Koched the Kochs,” Bloomberg, October 22, 2014. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/YgdZ1
According to a 2013 study by Drexel University sociologist Robert Brulle’s titled “Institutionalizing delay: foundation funding and the creation of U.S. climate change counter-movement organizations,” The Mercer Family Foundation spent at least $3,824,000 between 2003 and 2010 directly funding groups opposing climate change action. That money went to organizatons including The Heartland Institute, Manhattan Institute, Media Research Center, and Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine (OISM).12“Study Details Dark Money Flowing to Climate Science Denial,” DeSmog, December 23, 2013.
Robert Mercer and Donald Trump
According to the Center for Public Integrity (CIP), Robert Mercer emerged as the “single most influential donor to Trump.”13“Reclusive mega-donor fueling Donald Trump’s White House hopes,” The Center for Public Integrity, October 7, 2016. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/QhbU1 Bloomberg reports that Rober Mercer’s Super-PAC, while not endorsing Donald Trump directly, would focus ‘”solely on attacking Clinton.” Mercer’s Super-PAC, Make America Number 1, funds a special project titled “Defeat Crooked HIllary.” Make America Number 1 was a revamped version of Mercer’s Keep the Promise I, a group that had supported Texas Senator Ted Cruz.14Joshua Green and Zachary Mider. “New Super-PAC Launches for Donors Who Won’t Back Trump But Loathe Clinton,” Bloomberg, June 21, 2016. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/qcEDG 15Homepage, Defeat Crooked Hillary. Archived December 4, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/uvqWe
The Center for Public Integrity (CIP) notes that Robert Mercer has funded “anti-establishment groups and insurgent candidates working to pull the Republican Party further to the right, rather than the business-backed organizations closely associated with the Republican establishment, adding to his reputation as an ideologically motivated giver.”16“Reclusive mega-donor fueling Donald Trump’s White House hopes,” The Center for Public Integrity, October 7, 2016. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/QhbU1
Mercer has heavily funding conservative news outlets such as Breitbart News and Brent Bozell’s Media Research Center. He’s also backed the Citizens United Foundation and the Government Accountability Institute, organizations strongly opposing Hillary Clinton. Notably, Stephen K. Bannon, executive chairman of Breitbart, is Donald Trump’s new Campaign Chief.17“Reclusive mega-donor fueling Donald Trump’s White House hopes,” The Center for Public Integrity, October 7, 2016. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/QhbU1
The New York Times reports that Mercer’s strategists, super PACs, and other political organizations as well as his daughter, Rebekah Mercer, “have emerged to play a pivotal role in Mr. Trump’s presidential campaign”:18Nicholas Confessore. “How One Family’s Deep Pockets Helped Reshape Donald Trump’s Campaign,” The New York Times, August 18, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/5KwgQ
- Kellyanne Conway, Mr. Trump’s new campaign manager, oversaw a super PAC financed by the Mercer family.
- Stephen K. Bannon, executive chairman of Breitbart News (in which Mercer has a reported $10 million invested) is Donald Trump’s new Campaign Chief.
- Cambridge Analytica, a voter data firm supported by Mercer, are working to identify Trump supporters in the electorate.
- David Bossie, whose projects have been funded in part by the Mercer Family Foundation, is working with a super PAC supporting trump.
“The fingerprints of Robert Mercer, a New York hedge fund billionaire, and his middle daughter, Rebekah, can be seen all over the new Trump staffing appointments and other decisions being made by the GOP presidential nominee,” The Hill reported in August.19“Billionaire father and daughter linked to Trump shake-up,” The Hill, July 17, 2016. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/JECis
Jane Mayer, writing in The New Yorker, notes that the Mercers worked hard to oppose a Clinton victory: “If Clinton won, the Mercers claimed, she would ‘repeal both the First and Second Amendments of the Bill of Rights.’ Given the stakes, they said, ‘all hands’ were ‘needed on deck’ in order to insure a Trump victory. Cruz, they noted, had ‘chosen to stay in his bunk below.’”20Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
In David Magerman’s essay for in The Inquirer, he said that Mercer has “surrounded our President with his people, and his people have an outsized influence over the running of our country, simply because Robert Mercer paid for their seats.”21Joseph N. DiStefano. “When a hedge fund billionaire ‘buys’ democracy: Magerman on Mercer,” The Inquirer, March 1, 2017. Archived March 22, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Ax1La
A 2021 investigation found Robert and Rebekah Mercer played a larger role in the 2020 election than previously thought, tracking nearly $20 million through the “Dark Money” fund DonorsTrust.22“Mercer family played bigger role in 2020 election than thought, giving nearly million to dark money GOP fund,” CNBC, September 15, 2021. Archived September 15, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.md/BstPa
“The Mercers’ big contribution in 2020 to the Donors Trust, a 501(c)(3), allows them to make such a donation without having to publicly disclose exactly which outside groups they funded that year,” CNBC noted.23“Mercer family played bigger role in 2020 election than thought, giving nearly million to dark money GOP fund,” CNBC, September 15, 2021. Archived September 15, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.md/BstPa
Rebekah Mercer was also a key financier of Parler, a social media outlet that was used by Trump allies to push false claims the election was rigged against Trump.24“Mercer family played bigger role in 2020 election than thought, giving nearly million to dark money GOP fund,” CNBC, September 15, 2021. Archived September 15, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.md/BstPa
Cambridge Analytica
Robert Mercer is one of the largest investors in the data science firm Cambridge Analytics, a group that worked on President Trump’s campaign and advertises its ability to target voters through psychological profiling, reports The Washington Post.25Matea Gold and Frances Stead Sellers. “After working for Trump’s campaign, British data firm eyes new U.S. government contracts,” The Washington Post, February 17, 2017. Archived March 8, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/lUibd 26Michael Kranish. “Trump’s plan for a comeback includes building a ‘psychographic’ profile of every voter,” The Washington Post, October 27, 2016. Archived March 8, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/EYVr3
The Mercers invested approximately $5 million in the company. Cambridge Analytics is an American affiliate of Strategic Communication Laboratories (SCL), based in London, and has done work extensively for Mercer-backed candidates. In its UK arm, it reportedly worked on the Brexit campaign.27Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
The firm’s CEO, Alexander Nix, has said publicly that “Persuading somebody to vote a certain way is really very similar to persuading 14- to 25-year-old boys in Indonesia to not join Al Qaeda.” While critics have said the group’s promotion as exceeded its effectiveness, Jonathan Albright, an assistant professor of communications at Elon University, published a paper calling Cambridge Analytica a “propaganda machine.”28Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
“Mercer, having revolutionized the use of data on Wall Street, was eager to accomplish the same feat in the political realm,” Jane Mayer wrote in her profile of Mercer in The New Yorker.29Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
Political Spending
Contributions to Super PACs
The following is based on data collected by the Center for Responsive Politics/OpenSecrets.org, combined with the most recent available data at the Federal Election Commission (See .xlsx spreadsheet of FEC data):30“Mercer, Robert L.: Donor Detail,” OpenSecrets.org. Accessed November 1, 2016.
| Recipient | 2008 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | Grand Total |
| Make America Number 1 (Formerly Keep The Promise I | $11,000,000 | $4,500,000 | $15,500,000 | ||||||
| John Bolton Super PAC | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $500,000 | $3,500,000 | |||||
| Freedom Partners Action Fund | $2,500,000 | $2,500,000 | |||||||
| Club for Growth Action | $100,000 | $500,000 | $100,000 | $1,050,000 | $250,000 | $2,000,000 | |||
| American Crossroads | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | |||||||
| Ending Spending Action Fund | $1,750,000 | $1,750,000 | |||||||
| Restore Our Future | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | |||||||
| Prosperity First | $920,000 | $920,000 | |||||||
| Concerned Taxpayers of America | $643,750 | $643,750 | |||||||
| Women Speak Out PAC | $500,000 | $500,000 | |||||||
| New York Wins Pac | $500,000 | $500,000 | |||||||
| Fighting for Ohio Fund | $500,000 | $500,000 | |||||||
| KelliPAC | $500,000 | $500,000 | |||||||
| B-PAC | $500,000 | $500,000 | |||||||
| Republican Super PAC | $439,354 | $439,354 | |||||||
| Black Americans For A Better Future | $400,000 | $25,000 | $425,000 | ||||||
| Warrior PAC | $400,000 | $400,000 | |||||||
| New York 2014 | $350,000 | $350,000 | |||||||
| American Heartland PAC | $350,000 | $350,000 | |||||||
| Citizens for Ethics In Government | $300,000 | $300,000 | |||||||
| Senate Conservatives Action | $250,000 | $30,000 | $280,000 | ||||||
| Believe Again | $250,000 | $250,000 | |||||||
| Freedom PAC | $250,000 | $250,000 | |||||||
| US Jobs Council | $200,000 | $200,000 | |||||||
| National Horizon | $200,000 | $200,000 | |||||||
| Fighting For Florida Fund | $200,000 | $200,000 | |||||||
| Black Conservatives Fund | $150,000 | $150,000 | |||||||
| Special Operations for America | $120,000 | $120,000 | |||||||
| USA Super PAC | $100,000 | $100,000 | |||||||
| Club for Growth.Net | $20,000 | $20,000 | |||||||
| Make DC Listen | $5,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 | ||||||
| Grand Total | $20,000 | $643,750 | $1,100,000 | $4,309,354 | $100,000 | $9,120,000 | $14,135,000 | $6,930,000 | $36,358,104 |
Other Contributions & Joint Fundraising
The following is based on data publicly available at the Federal Election Commission (FEC). View the attached spreadsheet for contributions by year (.xlsx):
| Committee Name | Joint Fundraising | Other | Grand Total |
| REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE | $631,700 | $631,700 | |
| TEAM RYAN | $244,200 | -$2,700 | $241,500 |
| KELLIPAC | $200,000 | $200,000 | |
| NRSC | $93,600 | $93,600 | |
| PORTMAN VICTORY COMMITTEE | $42,600 | $42,600 | |
| FOUNDERS SENATE CANDIDATE COMMITTEE | $27,000 | $27,000 | |
| BELL, JEFFREY VIABELL FOR SENATE | $21,200 | $21,200 | |
| RESTORE OUR MAJORITY 2013 | $20,800 | $20,800 | |
| REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE 2011 | $20,000 | $20,000 | |
| CLUB FOR GROWTH PAC | $20,000 | $20,000 | |
| REPUBLICAN PARTY OF MINNESOTA – FEDERAL | $10,200 | $4,800 | $15,000 |
| GINGREY, J PHILLIP VIAGINGREY FOR SENATE INC | $13,000 | $13,000 | |
| CAVASSO, CAMPBELLVIA CAM CAVASSO FOR U S SENATE | $11,400 | $11,400 | |
| GRASSLEY HAWKEYE FUND | $10,400 | $10,400 | |
| ERNST VICTORY | $10,400 | $10,400 | |
| SOUTH DAKOTA REPUBLICAN PARTY | $10,000 | $10,000 | |
| REPUBLICAN FEDERAL COMMITTEE OF PENNSYLVANIA | $10,000 | $10,000 | |
| TOOMEY PENNSYLVANIA VICTORY FUND | $10,000 | $10,000 | |
| AYOTTE, KELLY A VIA FRIENDS OF KELLY AYOTTE INC | $10,000 | $10,000 | |
| TOOMEY, PATRICK JOSEPH VIA FRIENDS OF PAT TOOMEY | $10,000 | $10,000 | |
| HIGBLE, CARLTON MILO IV VIAFRIENDS OF CARL | $7,800 | $7,800 | |
| LEE, MIKE VIA FRIENDS OF MIKE LEE INC | $7,800 | $7,800 | |
| MCCLINTOCK, THOMAS VIAMCCLINTOCK FOR CONGRESS | $6,900 | $6,900 | |
| CASSIDY, WILLIAM M VIA BILL CASSIDY FOR US SENATE | $5,800 | $5,800 | |
| ROKITA, THEODORE EDWARD VIA HOOSIERS FOR ROKITA, INC. | $5,400 | $5,400 | |
| NIKPOUR, NOELLE VIANOELLE NIKPOUR FOR CONGRESS INC | $5,400 | $5,400 | |
| PHILLIPS, GEORGE KARL MR VIA PHILLIPS FOR CONGRESS | $5,400 | $5,400 | |
| BOOZMAN, JOHNVIA BOOZMAN FOR ARKANSAS | $5,400 | $5,400 | |
| TRUMP VICTORY | $5,400 | $5,400 | |
| DESANTIS, RONALD D. VIA RON DESANTIS FOR FLORIDA | $5,400 | $5,400 | |
| SASSE, BENJAMIN E VIA BEN SASSE FOR US SENATE INC | $5,400 | $5,400 | |
| SCOTT, TIMOTHY E VIA TIM SCOTT FOR SENATE | $5,400 | $5,400 | |
| WARD, KELLI VIA WARD FOR SENATE | $5,400 | $5,400 | |
| MCHENRY, PATRICK TIMOTHY VIA MCHENRY FOR CONGRESS | $5,400 | $5,400 | |
| FASO, JOHN J. MR. VIA FASO FOR CONGRESS | $5,400 | $5,400 | |
| GARRETT, SCOTT REP. VIA SCOTT GARRETT FOR CONGRESS | $5,400 | $5,400 | |
| BANKS, JAMES E VIA JIM BANKS FOR CONGRESS, INC. | $5,400 | $5,400 | |
| PALZER, THOMAS EDWARD VIA COMMITTEE TO ELECT TOM PALZER US SENATE 2016 | $5,400 | $5,400 | |
| ZINKE, RYAN K VIA ZINKE FOR CONGRESS | $5,400 | $5,400 | |
| MCCARTER, KYLE VIA KYLE MCCARTER FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE | $5,400 | $5,400 | |
| MCSALLY, MARTHA E. MS. VIA MCSALLY FOR CONGRESS | $5,300 | $5,300 | |
| ERNST, JONI K VIA JONI FOR IOWA | $5,200 | $5,200 | |
| BRANNON, GREGORY JOSEPH VIA BRANNON FOR US SENATE | $5,200 | $5,200 | |
| ZELDIN, LEE M VIA ZELDIN FOR CONGRESS | $5,200 | $5,200 | |
| WOLF, MILTON VIA MILTON WOLF FOR US SENATE | $5,200 | $5,200 | |
| SUPPORTING CONSERVATIVES OF TODAY AND TOMORROW (SCOTT PAC) | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| MAKE DC LISTEN | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| THE FUND FOR AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| JOBS OPPORTUNITY AND NEW IDEAS PAC | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| CONSERVATIVE VICTORY COMMITTEE | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| ROMNEY, MITT / RYAN, PAUL D. VIA ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT, INC. | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| MARLIN PAC | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| PROMOTING OUR REPUBLICAN TEAM PAC | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| MACK, CONNIE VIA MACK PAC | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| MANDEL, JOSH VIA CITIZENS FOR JOSH MANDEL INC | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| MANAGED FUNDS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| SENATE CONSERVATIVES FUND | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| BLACK CONSERVATIVES FUND | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| PROSPERITY ACTION INC. | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| MINNESOTA – BACHMANN VICTORY COMMITTEE | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| ALTSCHULER, RANDOLPH MR. VIA RANDY ALTSCHULER FOR CONGRESS | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| SCHUMER, CHARLES E VIA FRIENDS OF SCHUMER | $4,800 | $4,800 | |
| JENKINS, LOUIS VIA WOODY JENKINS FOR CONGRESS | $4,600 | $4,600 | |
| HACKETT, CHRISTOPHER VIA CHRIS HACKETT FOR CONGRESS | $4,600 | $4,600 | |
| PEARCE, STEVE VIA PEOPLE FOR PEARCE | $4,600 | $4,600 | |
| SCHAFFER, ROBERT W VIA BOB SCHAFFER FOR US SENATE | $4,600 | $4,600 | |
| WALBERG, TIMOTHY L HON. VIAWALBERG FOR CONGRESS | $4,400 | $4,400 | |
| MCGAVICK, MICHAEL SEAN VIA FRIENDS FOR MIKE MCGAVICK | $4,200 | $4,200 | |
| CITIZENS CLUB FOR GROWTH INC | $4,000 | $4,000 | |
| GRASSLEY, CHARLES E SENATOR VIAGRASSLEY COMMITTEE INC | $4,000 | $4,000 | |
| COLORADO REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE | $3,333 | $3,333 | |
| BROWN, SAKIMAVIA SAKIMA FOR CONGRESS | $2,700 | $2,700 | |
| STUTZMAN, MARLIN A VIA STUTZMAN FOR SENATE | $2,700 | $2,700 | |
| GUILLORY, ELBERT VIA ELBERT GUILLORY FOR AMERICA | $2,700 | $2,700 | |
| GERSON, DAVID ADAM VIA GERSON FOR CONGRESS | $2,700 | $2,700 | |
| BRANNON, GREGORY JOSEPH VIA BRANNON FOR US SENATE | $2,700 | $2,700 | |
| ROGERS, WENDYVIAWENDYROGERS.ORG | $2,700 | $2,700 | |
| FIORINA, CARLY VIA CARLY FOR PRESIDENT | $2,700 | $2,700 | |
| REHBERG, DENNIS RAY VIA MONTANANS FOR REHBERG | $2,700 | $2,700 | |
| JINDAL, BOBBY VIA JINDAL FOR PRESIDENT | $2,700 | $2,700 | |
| BROUN, PAUL COLLINS VIA PAUL BROUN COMMITTEE | $2,600 | $2,600 | |
| SMITH, BRYAN VIA BRYAN SMITH FOR CONGRESS INC | $2,600 | $2,600 | |
| LOVE, MIA VIA FRIENDS OF MIA LOVE | $2,600 | $2,600 | |
| BARR, BOB VIA BARR CONGRESS INC. | $2,600 | $2,600 | |
| COTTON, THOMAS VIA COTTON FOR SENATE | $2,600 | $2,600 | |
| MCDANIEL, CHRISTOPHER BRIAN VIA FRIENDS OF CHRIS MCDANIEL | $2,600 | $2,600 | |
| STEFANIK, ELISE M. VIA ELISE FOR CONGRESS | $2,600 | $2,600 | |
| ROUNDS, MIKE VIA ROUNDS FOR SENATE | $2,600 | $2,600 | |
| BROWN, SCOTT VIA STRONG COUNTRY FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW (SCOTTPAC) | $2,600 | $2,600 | |
| MATHIS, CHAD DR VIA DR CHAD MATHIS FOR CONGRESS | $2,600 | $2,600 | |
| NEUMANN, MARK W VIA FRIENDS OF MARK NEUMANN INC | $2,500 | $2,500 | |
| KING, STEVE MR. VIA KING FOR CONGRESS | $2,500 | $2,500 | |
| FLAKE, JEFF VIAJEFF FLAKE FOR US SENATE INC | $2,500 | $2,500 | |
| ROBINSON, ART DR. VIA ART ROBINSON FOR CONGRESS | $2,500 | $2,500 | |
| WEST, ALLEN B MR. VIA DEEP STRIKE PAC | $2,500 | $2,500 | |
| GRAVES, JOHN THOMAS MR. JR. VIA GRAVES FOR CONGRESS | $2,400 | $2,400 | |
| VITTER, DAVID B VIA DAVID VITTER FOR US SENATE | $2,400 | $2,400 | |
| GRAVES, JOHN THOMAS MR. JR. VIA GRAVES FOR CONGRESS | $2,400 | $2,400 | |
| CALVEY, KEVIN VIA CALVEY FOR CONGRESS 2010 | $2,400 | $2,400 | |
| WALSH, DANA VIA DANA WALSH FOR CONGRESS | $2,400 | $2,400 | |
| SIMMONS, ROBERT R VIA SIMMONS FOR SENATE | $2,400 | $2,400 | |
| SCOTT, TIMOTHY VIA TIM SCOTT FOR CONGRESS | $2,400 | $2,400 | |
| KOZAK, CHARLES CHUCK VIA CHUCK KOZAK FOR U. S. SENATE | $2,400 | $2,400 | |
| HOFFMAN, DOUGLAS L. MR. VIA DOUG HOFFMAN FOR CONGRESS | $2,400 | $2,400 | |
| HUELSKAMP, TIMOTHY A REPRESENTA VIA KANSANS FOR HUELSKAMP | $2,400 | $2,400 | |
| TIAHRT, TODD VIA KANSANS FOR TIAHRT | $2,376 | $2,376 | |
| HARRIS, ANDREW P VIA ANDY HARRIS FOR CONGRESS | $2,300 | $2,300 | |
| ROSS, CHARLES EDWIN VIA CHARLIE ROSS FOR CONGRESS | $2,300 | $2,300 | |
| BROUN, PAUL COLLINS VIA PAUL BROUN COMMITTEE | $2,300 | $2,300 | |
| PARNELL, SEAN VIA SEAN PARNELL FOR CONGRESS | $2,300 | $2,300 | |
| BUEHRER, STEVE VIA STEVE BUEHRER FOR CONGRESS | $2,300 | $2,300 | |
| THOMPSON, FRED DALTON VIA FRED THOMPSON POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE | $2,300 | $2,300 | |
| ONDER, ROBERT FRANK JR VIA ONDER FOR CONGRESS | $2,300 | $2,300 | |
| GARD, JOHN G VIA GARD FOR CONGRESS | $2,100 | $2,100 | |
| ANGLE, SHARRON E VIA SHARRON ANGLE YOUR VOICE IN CONGRESS | $2,100 | $2,100 | |
| KYL, JON L VIA ARIZONA FUND | $2,100 | $2,100 | |
| BOUCHARD, MICHAEL J VIA BOUCHARD FOR US SENATE | $2,100 | $2,100 | |
| WHALEN, MICHAEL LOUIS VIA WHALEN FOR CONGRESS | $2,100 | $2,100 | |
| ODONNELL, RICK VIA COLORADANS FOR RICK ODONNELL | $2,100 | $2,100 | |
| SALI, WILLIAM T. VIA SALI FOR CONGRESS | $2,100 | $2,100 | |
| STEELE, MICHAEL VIA STEELE FOR MARYLAND INC | $2,100 | $2,100 | |
| CHOCOLA, J CHRISTOPHER VIA CHOCOLA FOR CONGRESS INC. | $2,100 | $2,100 | |
| SMITH, ADRIAN VIA ADRIAN SMITH FOR CONGRESS | $2,100 | $2,100 | |
| BUSH, GEORGE W VIA BUSH-CHENEY ’04 (PRIMARY) INC | $2,000 | $2,000 | |
| CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE | $2,000 | $2,000 | |
| BUSH, GEORGE W VIA BUSH-CHENEY ’04 COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE INC. | $2,000 | $2,000 | |
| DODD, CHRISTOPHER J VIA CHRIS DODD FOR PRESIDENT INC | $1,700 | $1,700 | |
| GIULIANI, RUDOLPH W VIA FRIENDS OF GIULIANI EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE | $1,000 | $1,000 | |
| OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY RESTORED IN OUR NATION PAC | $1,000 | $1,000 | |
| MOURDOCK, RICHARD E VIA HOOSIERS FOR RICHARD MOURDOCK INC | $1,000 | $1,000 | |
| LAZIO, RICK A VIALAZIO 2000 INC | $1,000 | $1,000 | |
| MCCONNELL, JONATHAN EDWARD VIA FRIENDS OF JONATHAN MCCONNELL | -$2,700 | -$2,700 | |
| Grand Total | $419,333 | $1,408,476 | $1,827,809 |
Stance on Climate Change
1993
While Robert Mercer doesn’t have a formal statement on his view on climate change, he has funded known climate change denier Art Robinson and his work, as well as prominent climate change denial groups including The Heartland Institute.31“The Man Who Out-Koched the Kochs,” Bloomberg, October 22, 2014. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/YgdZ1
Jane Mayer wrote that in 1993, Nick Patterson, a former colleague of Mercer’s at Renaissance technologies (now a computational biologist at the Broad Institute), said that they differed in opinion over climate change. When Patterson shared a scientific paper on the suject, Mercer responded with one from Art Robinson:32Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
“It looked like a scientific paper, but it was completely loaded with selective and biased information,” Patterson told Mayer. The paper argued that, if climate change were real, future generations would “enjoy an Earth with far more plant and animal life.”33Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
When Patterson sent Mercer a note in response, calling Robinson’s arguments “completely false,” He never heard back. “I think if you studied Bob’s views of what the ideal state would look like, you’d find that, basically, he wants a system where the state just gets out of the way,” Patterson said. “Climate change poses a problem for that world view, because markets can’t solve it on their own.”34Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
Climate Change Denial Funding
A DeSmog analysis found that, collectively, the Mercers have given at least $22 million to organizations that promote climate science denial while blocking moves to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Before backing Donald Trump, the Mercers financially backed Senator Ted Cruz, who made climate science denial a main feature of his speeches.35Graham Readfearn. “Checking Ted Cruz’s climate science denial howlers,” The Guardian, February 10, 2016. Archived February 16, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/awv8a 36Graham Readfearn. “How Donald Trump Kingmaker-Billionaires Robert and Rebekah Mercer Have Poured Millions Into Climate Science Denial,” DeSmog, January 12, 2017.
The Mercers have also reportedly invested in Breitbart, a news source that regularly calls climate change a hoax. Breitbart’s former chief, Steve Bannon, was also picked by Trump to fill the role of chief strategist.37Graham Readfearn. “How Donald Trump Kingmaker-Billionaires Robert and Rebekah Mercer Have Poured Millions Into Climate Science Denial,” DeSmog, January 12, 2017.
Among the groups funded by the Mercer Family Foundation include The Chicago-based Heartland Institute, which received $4,988,000 from the Mercers since 2008. Robert Mercer also spent $1.25 million supporting the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine, a little-known group led led by climate change denier Art Robinson.38Graham Readfearn. “How Donald Trump Kingmaker-Billionaires Robert and Rebekah Mercer Have Poured Millions Into Climate Science Denial,” DeSmog, January 12, 2017.
Robinson was behind the long-debunked Oregon petition. First published in 1998, the petition claimed that 30,000 “scientists” had declared humans were not to blame for global warming.39Graham Readfearn. “How Donald Trump Kingmaker-Billionaires Robert and Rebekah Mercer Have Poured Millions Into Climate Science Denial,” DeSmog, January 12, 2017.
The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research is another group receiving funding from the Mercers, having donations exceeding $1 million since 2011.40Graham Readfearn. “How Donald Trump Kingmaker-Billionaires Robert and Rebekah Mercer Have Poured Millions Into Climate Science Denial,” DeSmog, January 12, 2017.
The Heritage Foundation is another organization that regularly promoted skepticism of mainstream climate change science. Rebekah Mercer is also a trustee at Heritage while David Kreutzer, also affiliated with Heritage, served on Trump’s EPA “landing team” and has claimed the recent run of record-breaking hot years globally is nothing unusual.41Graham Readfearn. “How Donald Trump Kingmaker-Billionaires Robert and Rebekah Mercer Have Poured Millions Into Climate Science Denial,” DeSmog, January 12, 2017. 42Graham Readfearn. “‘Landing Team’ for Trump’s EPA: Climate Science Deniers and a Lawyer Known For Harassing Climate Scientists,” DeSmog, December 7, 2016. 43David Kreutzer. “Why Calling 2015 the Warmest Year on Record Is Problematic,” The Daily Signal, January 22, 2016. Archived February 16, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/YfL70
The Cato Institute and Americans for Prosperity, two more groups funded by the Mercers, have attacked the science of human-caused climate change while challenging the legitimacy of solutions, such as renewable energy and electric vehicles.44Graham Readfearn. “How Donald Trump Kingmaker-Billionaires Robert and Rebekah Mercer Have Poured Millions Into Climate Science Denial,” DeSmog, January 12, 2017.
Key Quotes
Robert Mercer rarely addresses the media. “I don’t usually talk about myself so it’s not a comfortable thing,” he said at a speech in Baltimore to accept a lifetime achievement award from the Association for Computational Linguistics.45Lawrence Delevingne. “Have Mercer! The money man who helped the GOP win,” CNBC, November 8, 2014. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/hQFsq
Mercer, who had formerly worked writing programs at the Kirtland Air Force Base’s weapons lab, said the job gave him a poor impression of government-funded research:
“One of the most important goals of government-financed research is not so much to get answers as it is to consume the computer budget,” he said in the speech. “[It] left me ever since with a jaundiced view of government-financed research.”
Key Deeds
March 31, 2020
Robert Mercer was included in a list by Rolling Stone in an article titled “Climate Enemies: The Men Who Sold the World.” According to the magazine, “bad actors are not only failing to address the crisis, they’re actively exacerbating it” and the list includes “America’s worst offenders, from fossil-fuel industry magnates, to investment gurus, to the president himself.”46Ryan Bort. “Climate Enemies: The Men Who Sold the World,” Rolling Stone, March 31, 2020. Archived April 9, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/b4XwR
“Billionaire Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebekah, who directs the Mercer Family Foundation, have spread millions of dollars across America’s most influential climate-science-denying groups, including the Heartland Institute, the Heritage Foundation, and the Cato Institute,” the article notes.47Ryan Bort. “Climate Enemies: The Men Who Sold the World,” Rolling Stone, March 31, 2020. Archived April 9, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/b4XwR
February 20, 2019
The Mercer-funded Job Creators Network (JCN) was behind the posting of electronic billboards in New York City attacking congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez for her public stance against Amazon’s now-shelved plans to develop a facility in Queens.48Alex Kotch. “Group That Sponsored Anti-Ocasio-Cortez Billboard Tied to Koch and Other Billionaires,” Sludge, February 22, 2019. Archived February 27, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/uyk5W
The billboards state: “25,000 Lost NYC Jobs […] Thanks for nothing, AOC!”49Alex Kotch. “Group That Sponsored Anti-Ocasio-Cortez Billboard Tied to Koch and Other Billionaires,” Sludge, February 22, 2019. Archived February 27, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/uyk5W
JCN claims to be “the voice of Main Street” America, but is in fact funded by high-net worth individuals and organizations including the Koch Brothers and Donors Trust.50Alex Kotch. “Group That Sponsored Anti-Ocasio-Cortez Billboard Tied to Koch and Other Billionaires,” Sludge, February 22, 2019. Archived February 27, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/uyk5W
March 2018
The New York Times reported that Rebekah Mercer had visited Facebook’s headquarters in an attempt to mend relations between Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, following revelations that CA had improperly obtained data from tens of millions of users.51Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles. “Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout,” The New York Times, April 10, 2018. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/VWvvE
Following these events, Facebook had banned the company from its platform. The NYT reported that the Facebook scandal combined with other doubts about the firm’s effectiveness had “effectively crippled” its election work in the US.52Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles. “Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout,” The New York Times, April 10, 2018. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/VWvvE
“They’re selling magic in a bottle,” said Matt Braynard, who worked alongside Cambridge on the Trump campaign. “And they’re becoming toxic.”53Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles. “Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout,” The New York Times, April 10, 2018. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/VWvvE
While the Mercers made no public statements on the ban, the NYT suggested it could be affecting their political network:54Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles. “Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout,” The New York Times, April 10, 2018. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/VWvvE
“The effort by Ms. Mercer’s friend to help mend fences with Facebook hints at both Cambridge’s importance to her family’s political ambitions and the perils posed by Facebook’s ban,” NYT reported.55Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles. “Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout,” The New York Times, April 10, 2018. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/VWvvE
In March, a CA spokesman said that Rebekah Mercer had a “broad business oversight” role at the company, but was not involved in daily operations. Former Cambridge Analytica employees said she was close to the company’s chief executive, Alexander Nix, who was suspended in response to the Facebook controversy.56Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles. “Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout,” The New York Times, April 10, 2018. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/VWvvE
Matthew Michelson served as Ms. Mercer’s intermediary with Facebook.57Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles. “Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout,” The New York Times, April 10, 2018. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/VWvvE
UK corporate records show that Rebekah and her sister Jennifer serve as directors of Emerdata, a British data company formed by a number of executives from Cambridge Analytica and its affiliated SCL group.58Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles. “Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout,” The New York Times, April 10, 2018. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/VWvvE 59“Emerdata Limited,” Companies House UK. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/vHIXA
November 2017
The “Paradise Papers,” a trove of millions of leaked documents reviewed by The Guardian, International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, and others, revealed how Robert Mercer used offshore investment accounts to shield investments made by the Mercer Family Foundation—which helped the Mercers build a $60m war chest for conservative causes—while legally avoiding US taxes.60Jon Swaine. “Offshore cash helped fund Steve Bannon’s attacks on Hillary Clinton,” The Guardian, November 7, 2017. Archived November 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/df1bt
Mercer was director of eight Bermuda companies listed in the papers. The Guardian outlined how the Bermuda companies “appear to have been used to legally avoid a little-known US tax of up to 39% on tens of millions of dollars in investment profits amassed by the Mercer family’s foundation, which funded Bannon’s book [Clinton Cash] and a who’s who of conservative groups, along with a $475m retirement fund for the staff of Mercer’s hedge fund, Renaissance Technologies.”61Jon Swaine. “Offshore cash helped fund Steve Bannon’s attacks on Hillary Clinton,” The Guardian, November 7, 2017. Archived November 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/df1bt
The Paradise Papers suggest that the Mercer Foundation, which has used its investments in Mercer’s Renaissance Technologies to fund its operations, was able to avoid paying unrelated business income tax (UBIT) by routing investments through an offshore company. While Renaissance Technologies’s main fund is based in the U.S. it also maintained “feeder funds” in Bermuda, registered to the office of Appleby, a legal and financial services firm.62Jon Swaine. “Offshore cash helped fund Steve Bannon’s attacks on Hillary Clinton,” The Guardian, November 7, 2017. Archived November 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/df1bt
The UBIT is a tax designed to prevent nonprofits from competing unfairly with regular businesses, and only applies to investments financed by debt. However, nonprofits can legally route investments through an offshore company known as a “blocker.” The Mercer Family Foundation’s public IRS filings confirm it has never paid UBIT.63Jon Swaine. “Offshore cash helped fund Steve Bannon’s attacks on Hillary Clinton,” The Guardian, November 7, 2017. Archived November 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/df1bt
The Bermuda-based Medallion Capital Investments was set up to accept investments from American charities or foundations “closely affiliated with an owner or employee” of Renaissance. 2004 and 2005 IRS forms confirmed that the Mercer Family Foundation had sent month through Medallion Capital Investments, suggesting that it was operating as a blocker for the foundation.64Jon Swaine. “Offshore cash helped fund Steve Bannon’s attacks on Hillary Clinton,” The Guardian, November 7, 2017. Archived November 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/df1bt
November 2, 2017
In an effort to distance himself from growing controversy regarding his funding of Breitbart News, which inspired a campaign urging universities and pension funds to divest from Renaissance Technologies, Mercer announced that he would step down as co-chief executive officer of the hedge fund, effective January 1, 2018, and also sell his stake in Breitbart News to his daughters. Mercer added that he does not plan to retire but would relinquish management responsibilities while Peter Brown would continue on as CEO.65“The Mercers Wash Their Hands of Milo,” The Atlantic, November 2, 2017. Archived November 3, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/tzcq9 66Zachary Mider. “Mercer’s Backing of Breitbart Draws Campaign Against Renaissance,” Bloomberg, October 24, 2017. Archived November 3, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/74KBt 67Janet Lorin and Katherine Burton. “RenTech’s Robert Mercer to Exit as Co-CEO, Sell Breitbart Stake,” Bloomberg, November 2, 2017. Archived November 3, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/UY7Nx
According to The Atlantic, sources familiar with the Mercer’s situation said that the letter did not mean that Mercer would be retreating from politics.68“The Mercers Wash Their Hands of Milo,” The Atlantic, November 2, 2017. Archived November 3, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/tzcq9
In a letter to staff at Renaissance, Mercer said that after being the object of “great scrutiny from the press” we wanted to correct one of the “many mischaracterizations made of me”:69Robert Mercer. “Dear Colleagues” (PDF), November 2, 2017. Retrieved from Bloomberg News.
”[…] the most repugnant [of those mischaracterizations] to me have been the intimations that I am a white supremacist or a member of some other noxious group. Discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, creed, or anything of that sort is abhorrent to me. But more than that, it is ignorant,” Mercer said in the letter.70Robert Mercer. “Dear Colleagues” (PDF), November 2, 2017. Retrieved from Bloomberg News.
Mercer said his decision to sell his stake in Breitbart was “for personal reasons.” He also clarified that his views didn’t always align with Steve Bannon’s:71Robert Mercer. “Dear Colleagues” (PDF), November 2, 2017. Retrieved from Bloomberg News.
“The press has also intimated that my politics marches in lockstep with Steve Bannon’s. I have great respect for Mr. Bannon, and from time to time I do discuss politics with him. However, I make my own decisions with respect to whom I support politically. Those decisions do not always align with Mr. Bannon’s.”72Robert Mercer. “Dear Colleagues” (PDF), November 2, 2017. Retrieved from Bloomberg News.
Mercer also distanced himself from former Breitbart tech editor and writer Milo Yiannopoulos, who Mercer said had caused pain and divisiveness”:73Robert Mercer. “Dear Colleagues” (PDF), November 2, 2017. Retrieved from Bloomberg News.
“I supported Milo Yiannopoulos in the hope and expectation that his expression of views contrary to the social mainstream and his spotlighting of the hypocrisy of those who would close down free speech in the name of political correctness would promote the type of open debate and freedom of thought that is being throttled on many American college campuses today. But in my opinion, actions of and statements by Mr. Yiannopoulos have caused pain and divisiveness undermining the open and productive discourse that I had hoped to facilitate. I was mistaken to have supported him, and for several weeks have been in the process of severing all ties with him.”74Robert Mercer. “Dear Colleagues” (PDF), November 2, 2017. Retrieved from Bloomberg News.
In October 2017, a collection of leaked emails obtained by Buzzfeed News suggested ties between Yiannopoulos and white-nationalist figures. The Buzzfeed News article said that emails showed that Steve Bannon had invited Yiannopoulos to Cannes for a week to “discuss tv and film” and “hang on the boat.” The boat was the Mercer’s 200-foot yacht, the Sea Owl. The Mercers were in Cannes at the time to promote Clinton Cash, a film produced by both Rebekah Mercer and Bannon.75“Here’s How Breitbart And Milo Smuggled Nazi and White Nationalist Ideas Into The Mainstream,” Buzzfeed News, October 5, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/pUH7N 76“About the Film,” Clinton Cash. Archived November 3, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/3H5OS
May 24, 2017
Robert Mercer contributed $150,000 to the “Massachusetts First” super PAC, Federal Election Commission (FEC) data shows. Politico reported that this previously unknown super PAC began running radio ads against Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren in June.77“Receipts,” Federal Election Commission. Accessed September 19, 2017.
According to Politico, Mercer’s donations matched the amount needed to fund the ads, which cost around $150,000. It was also Mercer’s largest donation at that point in the year, according to the FEC data.78“Trump’s team gunning for potential 2020 reelection rivals,” Politico, September 18, 2017. Archived September 19, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/lVptU
In addition to Massachusetts First, other groups targeting Warren including the pro-Trump America First Policies (the political nonprofit connected to the America First Action superPAC) as well as America Rising, which already announced campaigns against both Warren and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.79“Trump’s team gunning for potential 2020 reelection rivals,” Politico, September 18, 2017. Archived September 19, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/lVptU
March 23, 2017
The Washington Post reported that Robert and Rebekah Mercer attended The Heartland Institute’s Twelfth International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC12) in Washington, DC. On the first day of the conference, they joined Heartland Institute President Joseph Bast for the lunch keynote speech where “They listened intently as Patrick J. Michaels, director of the Cato Institute’s Center for the Study of Science, argued that the Obama administration erred in finding that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health,” reported the Post. 80“ABOUT,” ICCC12. Archived March 27, 2017. 81Matea Gold and Chris Mooney. “The Mercers, Trump mega-donors, back group that casts doubt on climate science,” The Washington Post, March 27, 2017. Archived March 27, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/d95v0
February 24, 2017
Larry Solov of Britbart News, working to secure official credentials for Capitol Hill, revealed that the Mercer family were co-owners of the website, Politico reported. BuzzFeed’s Steve Perlberg, who live-tweeted the meeting, noted that the owners included the site’s CEO Larry Solov, founder Andrew Breitbart’s widow, Susie Breitbart, and the Mercer family with Breitbart’s family owning the largest stake.82Hadas Gold. “Breitbart reveals owners: CEO Larry Solov, the Mercer family and Susie Breitbart,” Politico, February 24, 2017. Archived March 6, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/nJ9Ek 83“And we’re back. The owners of Breitbart are Solov, Andrew Breitbart’s widow, and the Mercer family,” Twitter post by Steven Perlberg, February 24, 2017. Archived .png on file at DeSmog.
February, 2017
2014 tax filings for Mercer’s family foundation revealed that the foundation was a major donor of work by Richard Muller, a University of California physics professor who initially founded the Berkeley Earth project. The project set out to conduct an independent review of global warming data, and was initially funded by Charles Koch. Mercer Family Foundation’s 2014 tax return listed a donation of $250,000 to the project, as Bloomberg reported.84“990-PF Return of Private Foundation: MERCER FAMILY FOUNDATION For calendar year 2014, or tax year beginning 01-01-2014, and ending 12-31-2014 “ (PDF), Retrieved from DocumentCloud. 85Zachary Mider. “Mercer, a Longtime Funder of Climate Skeptics, Backs a Believer,” Bloomberg, February 22, 2016. Archived March 6, 2017. Archive.is URL:https://archive.is/aDteI
To many’s surprise, Muller’s project confirmed (PDF) what the majority of climate scientists had already found related to changing climate. After announcing the findings in The New York Times in 2012, calling it a “total turnaround,” Mueller declared himself as a “converted skeptic.”86“STATEMENT TO THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES” (PDF), Berkely Earth, March 31, 2011. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. 87Richard A. Muller. “The Conversion of a Climate-Change Skeptic,” The New York Times, July 28, 2012. Archived March 6, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/CNkxr
Connor Gibson, a researcher at the environmentalist group Greenpeace, said he was “thoroughly confused” by the development that Robert Mercer’s foundation was a major backer of Muller’s research.88Zachary Mider. “Mercer, a Longtime Funder of Climate Skeptics, Backs a Believer,” Bloomberg, February 22, 2016. Archived March 6, 2017. Archive.is URL:https://archive.is/aDteI
However, Bloomberg noted that since his “conversion,” Muller has endorsed fracking. According to his website, Muller’s second-biggest funder in 2014 was America’s Natural Gas Alliance, at $200,000.89Zachary Mider. “Mercer, a Longtime Funder of Climate Skeptics, Backs a Believer,” Bloomberg, February 22, 2016. Archived March 6, 2017. Archive.is URL:https://archive.is/aDteI
In an interview, Muller said he meets regularly with Mercer to discuss the group’s research. “Never has he ever criticized anything that we’ve published or done. Never has he indicated any hope for any conclusions we could reach,” Muller said. “He is one of the world’s experts at data analysis – that’s what he did at his company. And my sense is he felt the data out there – the big data – was not being analyzed properly and that we would do so.”90Zachary Mider. “Mercer, a Longtime Funder of Climate Skeptics, Backs a Believer,” Bloomberg, February 22, 2016. Archived March 6, 2017. Archive.is URL:https://archive.is/aDteI
2016
Robert Mercer and his family have been deeply involved in the Republican nominations, reports The New York Times.91Nicholas Confessore. “How One Family’s Deep Pockets Helped Reshape Donald Trump’s Campaign,” The New York Times, August 18, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/5KwgQ
Initially backing Senator Ted Cruz of Texas—with $13 million in donations going to the super PAC supporting Cruz—Mercer later shifted support to Donald Trump after he won the nomination. When Ted Cruz refused to endorse Donald Trump, the Mercers issued a rare public statement where they said they were “profoundly disappointed” in Mr. Cruz.92Nicholas Confessore. “How One Family’s Deep Pockets Helped Reshape Donald Trump’s Campaign,” The New York Times, August 18, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/5KwgQ
“Keep the Promise I” which Mercer had used to support Cruz, was revamped into “Make America Number 1,” which also funded a “special project” titled “Defeat Crooked Hillary.”93Homepage, Defeat Crooked Hillary. Archived December 4, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/uvqWe 94Nicholas Confessore. “How One Family’s Deep Pockets Helped Reshape Donald Trump’s Campaign,” The New York Times, August 18, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/5KwgQ
“The Mercers basically own this campaign,” a source who had worked with Rebekah Mercer told The Hill. “They have installed their people. … And now they’ve got their data firm in there.”95“Billionaire father and daughter linked to Trump shake-up,” The Hill, July 17, 2016. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/JECis
2010
Robert Mercer funded an Oregon House race to support Republican Arthur Robinson, who was challenging incumbent Representative Peter DeFazio. Mercer had also funded Robinson’s skeptical work on climate change Mercer.96“The Man Who Out-Koched the Kochs,” Bloomberg, October 22, 2014. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/YgdZ1
DeFazio’s campaign ran radio ads saying Robinson was funded by a secretive donor with Wall Street ties:
“Oregon isn’t a state that likes outside interference,” DeFazio said. “Once we focused on who Mercer was we began to move our poll numbers.” DeFazio won. This year, Robinson is running again to oust DeFazio, but Mercer hasn’t dropped mega-dollars into the race. Robinson declined comment for this story.
Nick Patterson, a former senior Renaissance Technologies employee, described Mercer’s views on climate change. “Most people at Renaissance didn’t challenge him” about politics, Patterson said. Jane Mayer wrote in The New Yorker that Patterson clashed with Mercer over climate change as “Mercer said that concerns about it were overblown.”97Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
When Patterson had shared a scientific paper with Mercer on climate, Mercer and his brother, Randall, responded with a paper from Art Robinson. “It looked like a scientific paper, but it was completely loaded with selective and biased information,” Patterson recalled. The paper argued that, if climate change were real, future generations would “enjoy an Earth with far more plant and animal life.” Patterson sent Mercer a note calling Robinson’s statements “completely false,” however he never heard back.98Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
In all, the Mercers gave over $640,000 to a group that attacked DeFazio with negative ads. At the time, press speculated that Mercer’s opposition was due to a proposed high-volume stock trade tax that would have affected Renaissance Technologies, but severalcolleagues associate his connection with Art Robinson as the reason.99Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
The Mercer Family notably gave over $1.6 million in donations to Robinson’s Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine (OISM), some of which went to the purchase of freezers to store 14,000 samples of human urine.100Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
Jane Mayer also wrote that Robinson may be behind mercer’s views on nuclear radiation. Robinson co-authored a 1986 book claiming a majority of Americans would be able to survive “an all-out atomic attack on the United States.” Robert and Rebekah Mercer also praised the homeschool curriculum sold by Robinson, which describes public schools as having a “evil” and “socialist” agenda.101Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
Affiliations
- Renaissance Technologies LLC — Chairman and Co-CEO.102“A hedge fund house divided: Renaissance Technologies,” Opensecrets, June 7, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/iEtSO
- Mercer Family Foundation 103Ade Adeniji. “Meet the New Best Friend of Conservative Policy Groups: Robert Mercer,” Inside Philanthropy, April 14, 2015. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/VrGRP
Other Resources
- “Robert Mercer,” LittleSis Profile.
- “Robert Mercer,” Sourcewatch Profile.
- “Robert Mercer (businessman),” Wikipedia.
- “Donor profile: Robert Mercer,” The Center for Public Integrity, August 23, 2012. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/VbLT8
- “Pioneering Fund Stages Second Act,” The Wall Street Journal, March 16, 2010.
- “How a reclusive computer programmer became a GOP money powerhouse,” The Washington Post, October 6, 2015. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/SBmwI
- Betsy Woodruff. “The Secret Heiress Funding the Right-Wing Media,” The Daily Beast, September 12, 2016.
- Jon Schwarz. “Trump’s New Billionaire Backer Also Funds Huge Stockpile of Human Urine,” The Intercept, August 23, 2016.
- “‘Black Americans for a Better Future’ Super PAC 100% Funded by Rich White Guys,” The Intercept, January 28, 2016.
- “Statement of Organization: Make America Number 1” (PDF), Fec.gov. Archived.pdf on file at Desmog.
- “Statement of Organization: Keep the Promise I” (PDF). Retrieved from Ballotpedia.org. Archived.pdf on file at Desmog.
- “Meet Ted Cruz’s Billionaire Donors,” National Review, April 8, 2015. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/GhcxE
Resources
- 1“Robert Mercer,” Inside Philanthropy. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/M0nxs
- 2“Reclusive mega-donor fueling Donald Trump’s White House hopes,” The Center for Public Integrity, October 7, 2016. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/QhbU1
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- 18Nicholas Confessore. “How One Family’s Deep Pockets Helped Reshape Donald Trump’s Campaign,” The New York Times, August 18, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/5KwgQ
- 19“Billionaire father and daughter linked to Trump shake-up,” The Hill, July 17, 2016. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/JECis
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- 21Joseph N. DiStefano. “When a hedge fund billionaire ‘buys’ democracy: Magerman on Mercer,” The Inquirer, March 1, 2017. Archived March 22, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Ax1La
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- 26Michael Kranish. “Trump’s plan for a comeback includes building a ‘psychographic’ profile of every voter,” The Washington Post, October 27, 2016. Archived March 8, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/EYVr3
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- 28Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
- 29Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
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- 33Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
- 34Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
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- 37Graham Readfearn. “How Donald Trump Kingmaker-Billionaires Robert and Rebekah Mercer Have Poured Millions Into Climate Science Denial,” DeSmog, January 12, 2017.
- 38Graham Readfearn. “How Donald Trump Kingmaker-Billionaires Robert and Rebekah Mercer Have Poured Millions Into Climate Science Denial,” DeSmog, January 12, 2017.
- 39Graham Readfearn. “How Donald Trump Kingmaker-Billionaires Robert and Rebekah Mercer Have Poured Millions Into Climate Science Denial,” DeSmog, January 12, 2017.
- 40Graham Readfearn. “How Donald Trump Kingmaker-Billionaires Robert and Rebekah Mercer Have Poured Millions Into Climate Science Denial,” DeSmog, January 12, 2017.
- 41Graham Readfearn. “How Donald Trump Kingmaker-Billionaires Robert and Rebekah Mercer Have Poured Millions Into Climate Science Denial,” DeSmog, January 12, 2017.
- 42Graham Readfearn. “‘Landing Team’ for Trump’s EPA: Climate Science Deniers and a Lawyer Known For Harassing Climate Scientists,” DeSmog, December 7, 2016.
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- 44Graham Readfearn. “How Donald Trump Kingmaker-Billionaires Robert and Rebekah Mercer Have Poured Millions Into Climate Science Denial,” DeSmog, January 12, 2017.
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- 46Ryan Bort. “Climate Enemies: The Men Who Sold the World,” Rolling Stone, March 31, 2020. Archived April 9, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/b4XwR
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- 48Alex Kotch. “Group That Sponsored Anti-Ocasio-Cortez Billboard Tied to Koch and Other Billionaires,” Sludge, February 22, 2019. Archived February 27, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/uyk5W
- 49Alex Kotch. “Group That Sponsored Anti-Ocasio-Cortez Billboard Tied to Koch and Other Billionaires,” Sludge, February 22, 2019. Archived February 27, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/uyk5W
- 50Alex Kotch. “Group That Sponsored Anti-Ocasio-Cortez Billboard Tied to Koch and Other Billionaires,” Sludge, February 22, 2019. Archived February 27, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/uyk5W
- 51Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles. “Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout,” The New York Times, April 10, 2018. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/VWvvE
- 52Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles. “Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout,” The New York Times, April 10, 2018. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/VWvvE
- 53Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles. “Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout,” The New York Times, April 10, 2018. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/VWvvE
- 54Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles. “Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout,” The New York Times, April 10, 2018. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/VWvvE
- 55Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles. “Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout,” The New York Times, April 10, 2018. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/VWvvE
- 56Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles. “Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout,” The New York Times, April 10, 2018. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/VWvvE
- 57Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles. “Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout,” The New York Times, April 10, 2018. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/VWvvE
- 58Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles. “Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout,” The New York Times, April 10, 2018. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/VWvvE
- 59“Emerdata Limited,” Companies House UK. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/vHIXA
- 60Jon Swaine. “Offshore cash helped fund Steve Bannon’s attacks on Hillary Clinton,” The Guardian, November 7, 2017. Archived November 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/df1bt
- 61Jon Swaine. “Offshore cash helped fund Steve Bannon’s attacks on Hillary Clinton,” The Guardian, November 7, 2017. Archived November 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/df1bt
- 62Jon Swaine. “Offshore cash helped fund Steve Bannon’s attacks on Hillary Clinton,” The Guardian, November 7, 2017. Archived November 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/df1bt
- 63Jon Swaine. “Offshore cash helped fund Steve Bannon’s attacks on Hillary Clinton,” The Guardian, November 7, 2017. Archived November 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/df1bt
- 64Jon Swaine. “Offshore cash helped fund Steve Bannon’s attacks on Hillary Clinton,” The Guardian, November 7, 2017. Archived November 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/df1bt
- 65“The Mercers Wash Their Hands of Milo,” The Atlantic, November 2, 2017. Archived November 3, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/tzcq9
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- 69Robert Mercer. “Dear Colleagues” (PDF), November 2, 2017. Retrieved from Bloomberg News.
- 70Robert Mercer. “Dear Colleagues” (PDF), November 2, 2017. Retrieved from Bloomberg News.
- 71Robert Mercer. “Dear Colleagues” (PDF), November 2, 2017. Retrieved from Bloomberg News.
- 72Robert Mercer. “Dear Colleagues” (PDF), November 2, 2017. Retrieved from Bloomberg News.
- 73Robert Mercer. “Dear Colleagues” (PDF), November 2, 2017. Retrieved from Bloomberg News.
- 74Robert Mercer. “Dear Colleagues” (PDF), November 2, 2017. Retrieved from Bloomberg News.
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- 80“ABOUT,” ICCC12. Archived March 27, 2017.
- 81Matea Gold and Chris Mooney. “The Mercers, Trump mega-donors, back group that casts doubt on climate science,” The Washington Post, March 27, 2017. Archived March 27, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/d95v0
- 82Hadas Gold. “Breitbart reveals owners: CEO Larry Solov, the Mercer family and Susie Breitbart,” Politico, February 24, 2017. Archived March 6, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/nJ9Ek
- 83“And we’re back. The owners of Breitbart are Solov, Andrew Breitbart’s widow, and the Mercer family,” Twitter post by Steven Perlberg, February 24, 2017. Archived .png on file at DeSmog.
- 84
- 85Zachary Mider. “Mercer, a Longtime Funder of Climate Skeptics, Backs a Believer,” Bloomberg, February 22, 2016. Archived March 6, 2017. Archive.is URL:https://archive.is/aDteI
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- 89Zachary Mider. “Mercer, a Longtime Funder of Climate Skeptics, Backs a Believer,” Bloomberg, February 22, 2016. Archived March 6, 2017. Archive.is URL:https://archive.is/aDteI
- 90Zachary Mider. “Mercer, a Longtime Funder of Climate Skeptics, Backs a Believer,” Bloomberg, February 22, 2016. Archived March 6, 2017. Archive.is URL:https://archive.is/aDteI
- 91Nicholas Confessore. “How One Family’s Deep Pockets Helped Reshape Donald Trump’s Campaign,” The New York Times, August 18, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/5KwgQ
- 92Nicholas Confessore. “How One Family’s Deep Pockets Helped Reshape Donald Trump’s Campaign,” The New York Times, August 18, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/5KwgQ
- 93Homepage, Defeat Crooked Hillary. Archived December 4, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/uvqWe
- 94Nicholas Confessore. “How One Family’s Deep Pockets Helped Reshape Donald Trump’s Campaign,” The New York Times, August 18, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/5KwgQ
- 95“Billionaire father and daughter linked to Trump shake-up,” The Hill, July 17, 2016. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/JECis
- 96“The Man Who Out-Koched the Kochs,” Bloomberg, October 22, 2014. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/YgdZ1
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- 100Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
- 101Jane Mayer. “THE RECLUSIVE HEDGE-FUND TYCOON BEHIND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY,” The New Yorker, March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/l8Mlh
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- 103Ade Adeniji. “Meet the New Best Friend of Conservative Policy Groups: Robert Mercer,” Inside Philanthropy, April 14, 2015. Archived November 1, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/VrGRP
