The Supreme Court is gearing up to issue major rulings this month, with numerous billionaires closely following the cases. From well-known figures like Charles Koch and Donald Trump to lesser-known families like the Searles and the Sacklers, these wealthy individuals are not just trying to influence elections but are also working to shape the country’s laws. Using tax filings, court records, and other public documents, Forbes has compiled a list of the most prominent tycoons behind the various Supreme Court cases.
Charles Koch, with a net worth of $59.6 billion and the source of his wealth being Koch Industries, has long been a powerful force in promoting individual liberty and weakening the administrative state. Koch’s network of nonprofits is supporting a group of herring fishermen in a case that challenges a policy requiring them to pay $700 per day for federal monitors on their vessels. This case could have significant implications for federal agencies’ power to enact policies. Koch’s business interests in regulated industries give him a stake in reducing government regulations.
David Green, with a net worth of $14.4 billion from his retail empire Hobby Lobby, is using his fortune to advance Christian causes and restrict access to abortion. Green has supported organizations like Alliance Defending Freedom, which is involved in Supreme Court cases seeking to limit access to abortion drugs and emergency abortions in states where they are outlawed. Green’s influence through his wealth is shaping the legal landscape on contentious social issues.
The Sackler family, with a net worth of $5.2 billion from their pharmaceutical empire, is facing legal challenges related to their role in the opioid crisis. A bankruptcy settlement reached by Purdue Pharma is being challenged by the federal government, with the potential for the Sacklers to pay billions to settle with numerous legal claimants while being shielded from further civil liability. Their wealth is entangled in legal battles that have far-reaching consequences.
The Searle family, with a net worth of $1.5 billion from their pharmaceutical ventures, has been using their fortune to fund conservative causes and challenge government regulations through organizations like the New Civil Liberties Alliance. With a mission to promote individual freedom and economic liberty, the Searle family’s influence extends to Supreme Court cases questioning federal agencies’ power and regulations on firearms and online misinformation. Their efforts are part of a broader movement to limit government intervention in various aspects of society.
Irwin Jacobs, with a net worth of $1.2 billion from Qualcomm, has used his wealth to support the ACLU’s efforts to protect civil liberties and the First Amendment. While traditionally aligned with liberal causes, the ACLU is now involved in cases defending the National Rifle Association’s rights. Through their funding, Jacobs and his late wife Joan are backing the ACLU’s work on defending fundamental freedoms, even in controversial cases like supporting gun rights organizations.
Paul Singer, with a net worth of $6.1 billion from his hedge funds, is involved in promoting individual liberty and the rule of law through the Manhattan Institute, a right-wing think tank. The institute has been active in filing briefs in major Supreme Court cases on taxation, abortion, bureaucracy, and gun rights. Singer’s financial support for the institute has come under scrutiny, particularly in light of reports of his relationship with Justice Samuel Alito. Like other billionaires, Singer is leveraging his wealth to shape legal outcomes that align with his ideological beliefs.
Former President Donald Trump, with a net worth of $6.4 billion from real estate, is involved in legal battles to protect himself against criminal charges and ensure his place on the 2024 ballot. While he is not directly funding these cases, his political action committee Save America is footing the bill for legal expenses related to his federal charges for attempting to overturn the 2020 election results. Trump’s legal battles are supported by his donors, highlighting the influence of wealth in the legal arena and its implications for political outcomes.
