Coachella owner Philip Anschutz faced heavy criticism last year after it was revealed he had donated up to $190,000 to conservative groups, including anti-LGBTQ organizations like Alliance Defending Freedom and the Family Research Council. Anschutz later called this report “fake news,” insisting he never intended to support groups that promoted inequality.
“Neither I nor the Foundation fund any organization with the purpose or expectation that it would finance anti-LGBTQ initiatives,” he said in a statement to Rolling Stone last year, “and when it has come to my attention or the attention of the Anschutz Foundation that certain organizations either the Foundation or I have funded have been supporting such causes, we have immediately ceased all contributions to such groups.”
Well, it seems Anschutz isn’t completely done funding the right-wing agenda.
As pointed out by Fader, the 78-year-old billionaire gave nearly $200,000 to Republican politicians and Super PACs throughout 2017. The recipients included pro-gun Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, who was given $5,400 in March; Scott Tipton, a Colorado congressman who opposes same-sex marriage and abortion ($2,700 in August); U.S. Representative Mike Coffman, a pro-life birther ($5,400 in August); as well as Nebraska Sen. Deb Fisher and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.
Though the aforementioned politicians received money directly from Anschutz, the biggest donations were made through The Anschutz Corporation, which handed over about $138,000 to the National Republican Senate Committee. The NRSC is an organization chaired by Gardner that aims to increase the Republican senate majority.
Twitter clearly hasn't forgotten about Anschutz’s right-wing ideologies.
Anschutz is the owner of AEG Live, the parent company of Goldenvoice, which launched Coachella almost 20 years ago. News of his donations to conservative groups and politicians arrived one day after the Coachella 2018 lineup was revealed.
Anschutz and his foundation have yet to respond to the report of his 2017 donations.
