Lincoln Project Leaders Profited Massively From Never Trump Stance

The Lincoln Project relentlessly attacked former President Donald Trump during the 2020 election cycle. More than $90 million came in from donors to the political action committee formed by former Republican consultants to oppose Trump.

But according to a report from The Associated Press, more than half of those donations, totally in excess of $50 million, went to firms controlled by Lincoln Project.

The news comes on the heels of accusations leveled against one of the group's co-founders, John Weaver, of harassing young men. Among the 21 accusers were two employees of the Lincoln Project.

The group's leadership learned In June of at least 10 specific accusations against Weaver, in both writing and later by telephone, according to the AP. When the Weaver allegations went public last month, the Lincoln Project released a statement saying it was "shocked" by the accusations. The latest report brings that statement into question.

While there is no evidence the group intentionally swept aside the Weaver allegations for business purposes, the reports of harassment coupled with the new information on spending policies cast a dim light on Lincoln Project.

Co-founder Steve Schmidt reiterated neither he nor other leaders of the group were aware of allegations against Weaver.

"No Lincoln Project employee, intern or contractors ever made an allegation of inappropriate communication about John Weaver that would have triggered an investigation by HR or by an outside employment counsel," Schmidt said. "In other words, no human being ever made an allegation about any inappropriate sexualized communications about John Weaver ever."

In an interview with Axios last month, Weaver generally acknowledged misconduct and apologized.

The Lincoln Project launched in November 2019 as a super PAC, which meant there were no caps on how much money the group could raise or spend.

According to campaign finance records, the group spent $27 million in direct payments for advertisements aired on television or placed online. Tens of millions went toward production costs, overhead and fees paid to members of the group for consulting.

Records show $27 million went to a firm controlled by Reed Galen, one of the Lincoln Project's co-founders. A firm run by Ron Steslow, a former member of the group, received $21 million.

Earnings of project leaders are difficult to learn because the Lincoln Project masked how much money its members received, a strategy similar to the one used by the Trump campaign the group formed to oppose.