Pro-Trump millionaire and election doubter increases funding for far-right voter fraud groups

A significant development has emerged, drawing attention from across the political spectrum. Patrick Byrne, the former CEO of Overstock.com and a notable figure among those questioning the 2020 election results, has substantially increased his financial backing for organizations promoting voter conspiracy theories. This surge in funding, especially towards the America Project and related groups, has alarmed election watchdogs and some veteran Republicans.

Tax records initially disclosed by Issue One, a bipartisan political reform organization, reveal that the America Project's revenues nearly doubled in 2022, reaching $14.3 million compared to $7.7 million the previous year. Byrne has claimed that, out of the $30 million raised by the Florida-based project as of last fall, an impressive $27 million came directly from his own funds.

Founded in April 2021 by Byrne and Michael Flynn, former national security adviser to Donald Trump, the America Project positions itself as a proponent of "America First" principles. Despite its claims about election fraud related to early and mail voting being widely debunked by election officials and courts, the organization's website prominently features these assertions.

One notable recipient of the America Project's funds is the Arizona-based We the People AZ Alliance. Co-founded by Shelby Busch, a vice-chair of the Maricopa County Republican Party, this group has received nearly $400,000 from Byrne personally and the America Project since early 2023. Busch’s recent controversial comments about the county’s top election official have intensified scrutiny of these financial connections.

In Michigan, Byrne and the America Project have directed over $1.1 million to entities linked with attorney Stefanie Lambert, a central figure in challenging the 2020 election results. Lambert, who faces legal issues of her own, has also represented Byrne in a defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems.

The America Project's financial influence extends beyond these two states. In Pennsylvania, the organization has provided substantial funding to legal efforts challenging mail-in voting laws and supported individuals promoting theories about Hunter Biden's laptop.

Election integrity experts and campaign finance watchdogs have expressed concern over the scale and focus of this funding. Michael Beckel, research director at Issue One, stated, "This group has been bankrolled by deep-pocketed donors who are obsessed with fringe theories about election administration." He added that these efforts "further erode trust in elections" when defending the integrity of the electoral process should be a bipartisan priority.

The implications of this funding surge go beyond immediate electoral concerns. The America Project recently appointed Tom Homan, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Trump, as its CEO. This move suggests an expansion of the organization's focus to include immigration policy, potentially amplifying its influence in broader political discussions.

Critics argue that concentrating significant financial resources in organizations promoting unsubstantiated election theories threatens public trust in democratic institutions. They point to the potential for these well-funded groups to shape public perception and policy debates on election administration and voter access.

Supporters contend that such efforts are necessary to ensure election integrity and transparency. They argue that scrutiny of election processes is vital for maintaining public confidence in electoral outcomes.

As the 2024 election cycle approaches, the role of organizations like the America Project and their financial backers is likely to face increased scrutiny. The impact of this funding on public discourse, election administration, and voter confidence remains a subject of intense debate among political observers, election officials, and concerned citizens.

The ongoing controversy surrounding these financial flows underscores the complex interplay between money, politics, and public perception in the American electoral system. As the nation addresses questions of election integrity and voter confidence, the activities of influential donors like Byrne and the organizations they support will undoubtedly continue to shape the political landscape in significant ways.