Billionaire conservative philanthropist Leonard Leo is urging his network of conservative nonprofits to be more aggressive in “weaponizing” their ideas, a tactic he believes the left has successfully employed. Leo wants his groups to shift from focusing primarily on developing and educating about conservative ideas and policies to producing more tangible results. He cited examples of how groups backed by liberal donors like George Soros and Hansjörg Wyss have effectively used their resources to influence public attitudes and generate political pressure. Leo emphasized the need for the conservative movement to leverage its talent to have a greater impact despite being outspent by the left.
Leo, known for his role in the Federalist Society and influence on former President Trump’s Supreme Court nominations, received a $1.6 billion gift to his Marble Freedom Trust in 2022. He plans to invest in calling out companies and financial institutions that align with extreme left-wing ideology, targeting “woke” banks and China-friendly entities. Leo also indicated an intention to support local media in the U.S. Leo’s push for his groups to “operationalize” and “weaponize” their ideas has sparked backlash from liberal critics, who accuse him of using his dark money network to advance a right-wing agenda that serves the interests of powerful few.
Critics like Carolina Ciccone, president of NGO watchdog Accountable.US, argue that Leo’s strategy is about more than shaping conservative thought; it’s about manipulating institutions meant to protect the rights of everyday Americans to benefit right-wing special interests. Jay Willis, editor-in-chief of progressive commentary website Balls & Strikes, accused Leo of attempting to rebrand himself as a culture warrior akin to Elon Musk by railing against the “woke mind virus.” The critiques highlight the polarizing nature of Leo’s call to action for the conservative movement to adopt more aggressive tactics in advancing their ideas and policies.
Leo’s letter to organizations funded by his 85 Fund emphasized the need for conservatives to catch up to the left in terms of operationalizing their ideas. He pointed to the success of liberal groups in building networks of activists, academics, journalists, and philanthropists to influence public attitudes and generate political pressure. Leo singled out the Tides Foundation and Arabella Advisors as examples of entities that incubate action-oriented campaigns, supporting organizations like Students for Justice in Palestine and World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Leo stressed the importance of leveraging talent within the conservative movement to make an impact despite limited resources.
Leo’s influence on the conservative movement, particularly through his work with the Federalist Society and support for Trump’s Supreme Court nominations, has positioned him as a key figure in shaping conservative policy. Despite stepping back from his role in the Federalist Society after Trump’s election, Leo remains active in philanthropy and advocacy. With billions at his disposal through the Marble Freedom Trust, Leo is focused on counteracting left-wing influence in various sectors, including challenging companies that promote extreme left-wing ideology and expanding support for local media. His efforts to encourage conservative groups to take a more aggressive approach to advancing their ideas have stirred controversy and heightened tensions between right and left-leaning organizations.
Leo’s call for conservatives to “weaponize” their ideas and policies reflects a broader shift in strategy among right-wing groups to counter the dominance of liberal organizations. In urging his network to focus on operationalizing conservative ideas, Leo is tapping into a sense of urgency to level the playing field against well-funded liberal counterparts. While Leo’s approach has drawn criticism from liberal critics who view it as an attempt to exert right-wing influence, his efforts underscore the ongoing battle for ideological control and influence in American society. As political tensions continue to rise, the clash between left and right perspectives on how to best shape public policy and discourse is likely to intensify.
