What VTDigger Uncovered About Americans for Prosperity
, on Aug 30, 2025
MONTPELIER — VTDigger just pulled the curtain back on what we've been warning about: Americans for Prosperity — a Koch-funded dark money machine — is running an aggressive campaign right here in Vermont.
For decades, the Koch brothers' network has spent hundreds of millions of dollars nationwide to fight against progress that would cut pollution and lower energy costs, deny science, and protect their oil empire. Now, with $186 million in their war chest, they've set their sights on Vermont. They're here to buy political outcomes that benefit billionaires, dismantle protections for everyday people, and cement Trump's extremist agenda in our laws.
Here's what VTDigger exposed:
If we don't act fast, billionaire outsiders will define Vermont's future for us — with disinformation, big money, and no accountability to the people who live here. Don't let them get away with it.
- Americans for Prosperity is funded by oil billionaires Charles and David Koch. The same money that gutted clean energy in states like Ohio and Kansas is now pouring into Vermont.
- Charles and David Koch amassed wealth through Koch Industries, an oil refinery and pipeline conglomerate that has siphoned up many other companies since their father created the business in the 1930s, profiting through deals with the Stalin and Hitler regimes.
- The Koch networks have played a direct role in shaping personnel and policy in both Trump administrations. Under the first, about 50 administration officials had ties to Koch networks, including Energy Secretary Rick Perry and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. Today, key figures like Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have worked closely with and donated large sums to both Americans for Prosperity and other Koch-affiliated groups.
- The Koch brothers also fund the Heritage Foundation, the group responsible for creating Project 2025, the unofficial blueprint for the second Trump administration.
- They don't live here. Not a single AFP operative who works on Vermont issues actually lives in our state.
- They've already broken the law. Just months ago, AFP was fined thousands of dollars for violating Vermont campaign rules.
- They resort to false claims to purposely mislead Vermonters instead of sharing the facts on how Democrats are fighting for everyday people and delivering results for working Vermonters.
If we don't act fast, billionaire outsiders will define Vermont's future for us — with disinformation, big money, and no accountability to the people who live here. Don't let them get away with it.