Outlet profile

Americans for Prosperity

U.S. libertarian-conservative (Koch network)

Owned byNot a news outlet; a 501(c)(4) political advocacy organization controlled by Charles Koch and operated by the broader Koch network, which includes Koch Industries and the Stand Together umbrella

FundingPrimarily funded by Koch-linked dark money groups and undisclosed donors — the organization does not publicly disclose its donor list; Stand Together Chamber of Commerce (a Koch-connected entity) has contributed tens of millions per election cycle; AFP Action, its affiliated super PAC, raised roughly $87 million for the 2026 cycle

On the administrationmixed

Background

Americans for Prosperity was formally incorporated on March 10, 2004, by David Koch and Koch strategist Richard Fink, growing out of an earlier Koch-backed group called Citizens for a Sound Economy. It quickly became one of the most powerful outside advocacy networks in U.S. politics, spending heavily to support Republican candidates and oppose Democratic legislation, most notably playing a major organizational role in the Tea Party movement beginning around 2009. The group built a large grassroots infrastructure — state chapters, door-knocking programs, and digital campaigns — funded almost entirely through the Koch donor network and undisclosed contributions. After David Koch's death in 2019, Charles Koch retained effective control. AFP initially distanced itself from Donald Trump in the 2023–24 Republican primary cycle, backing Nikki Haley and running ads arguing Trump could not win a general election. Following Trump's 2024 victory, AFP pivoted: it launched a $20 million 'Protect Prosperity' campaign in January 2025 to support renewal of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, calling it 'the largest effort by a conservative organization to support President Trump's second-term legislative agenda.' At the same time, AFP and allied Koch entities have challenged Trump's tariff authority in court, a conflict rooted partly in Koch Industries' substantial reliance on Canadian crude oil imports. The organization has a long record of opposing climate regulations and renewable-energy mandates, and fact-checkers have repeatedly flagged inaccuracies in its advertising campaigns over the years.

Sources

Profile compiled 2026-08-30; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.

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