FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (not pictured) during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, New York, U.S., September 23, 2025. REUTERS/Al Drago/File Photo
Following the murder of Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk, President Donald Trump and his allies are calling for criminal investigations of not only individuals, but also of philanthropic groups that are favorable to liberal or progressive causes.
But Lawson Bader, president and CEO of the right-wing nonprofit DonorsTrust, thinks that is a bad idea.
Bader told the Free Press that MAGA "has the potential to weaponize philanthropy in a way that is antithetical to philanthropic freedom" and "narrows the important boundary between citizen and state."
In an article published on September 29, Gabe Kaminsky of conservative writer Bari Weiss' Free Press website reports, "Bader's comments reflect the deep concern that is spreading throughout the pxhilanthropic world — regardless of political orientation — since President Donald Trump vowed to go after liberal groups that he said have done 'tremendous damage to our country.' The assassination of Kirk, who was one of America's most influential conservative activists, has incited Trump administration officials to consider potential retribution against groups like the Open Society Foundations, funded by Democratic megadonor George Soros, and the Ford Foundation, whose philanthropy also funds left-leaning causes."
Kaminsky adds, "On Thursday, (September 25), the president signed a memorandum aimed at fighting 'domestic terrorism and organized political violence.' When he was asked who might be investigated, Trump floated the names of Soros and Reid Hoffman, another Democratic megadonor."
Kaminsky notes that the Alexandria, Virginia-based DonorsTrust "offers what are known as donor-advised funds tailored to conservative and libertarian-minded philanthropists who want to donate money anonymously and receive tax breaks."
"Democrats have used the phrase 'dark money ATM' to describe DonorsTrust, which had over $1.2 billion in assets at the end of 2023 and paid out $351 million that year," Kaminsky explains. "The organization says it has routed about $2 billion to over 3000 charities, including the Heritage Foundation, Manhattan Institute, and Turning Point USA, which Kirk started in 2012 and is now led by his wife, Erika Kirk."
Bader told the Free Press, "The whole conversation needs to tone down. I think it's going to come back to haunt us."
Read Gabe Kaminsky's full Free Press article at this link (subscription required).