24 February 2026
Republicans and Evangelicals | The Council for National Policy: Dark Money in the Church
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Dark money is a problem in American politics and religion. What is it? Untraceable money that often comes from big donors, which is channelled through non-profits to hide the identity of the donor. This money is then able to back causes that may or may not be positive.
The Council for National Policy is an organization in the pipeline for Christian dark money. It finances groups like the Heritage Foundation, Focus on the Family, pro-life groups, Turning Point USA, and more. They also coordinate language around denial of climate change, COVID, and election results. Their first president was Tim LaHaye, but he is just the tip of the iceberg.
Our guide through this story is Anne Nelson, author of Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right. It is an excellent resource that is critical for anyone interested in how some evangelicals tied themselves to the Republican Party.
Sources:
Biographical video from Turning Point USA about Foster Friess
Shadow Network by Anne Nelson
Christian Reconstruction: RJ Rushdoony and American Religious Conservatism by Michael McVicar
100 Things to See in the Night Sky Expanded Edition. By Dean Regas
Christianity and Oil in US History
Article on Nelson Bunker Hunt
Birchers by Matthew Dallek
The Road to Serfdom (comic version) adapted from Hayek
Reaganland and Before the Storm by Rick Perlstein
"Information Sheet, Council for National Policy," May 1984
Dark Money by Jane Mayer
article on Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education
Ponzinomics by Robert Fitzpatrick
Justice Department article about Blackwater/ Prince
Adams, D. C., Robles, F., & Mazzetti, M. (2025). A Desperate Haiti Turns to Erik Prince, Trump Ally, In Fight Against Gangs. New York: New York Times Company.
Census data on Wyoming
Pat Robertson: A Life and Legacy by David Edwin Harrell Jr.
Leadership Institute website (accessed 8/8/25)
Email blast from National Religious Broadcasters titled: “NRB President & CEO to Advocate on Capitol Hill for AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act” released July 14, 2025
Salem Media website
NRB Article about Bott Radio
PRwatch.org article and video about CNP
Jackson Hole News and Guide article about Donald Trump Jr.'s visit to Jackson in 2016
New York Times article on Foster Friess
Tax documents from Turning Point USA, courtesy of Pro Publica
2017 Jane Mayer profile of Turning Point USA
ProPublica article on the Kochs
Time article on the Koch's and i360
Article on how many people didn't vote in 2024
New York Times article about Trump's call to the Georgia election rep
The Guardian article about Kirk's busing of people to the January 6, 2021, riot
EPA article about its origins
Discussion Questions:
What is dark money? Should Christians participate in it?
What are the functions of groups like the Council for National Policy?
Who was Foster Friess?
Why is it important to include a discussion of dark money when talking about things like Turning Point USA?
What is the connection between evangelicalism and oil?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dark money is a problem in American politics and religion. What is it? Untraceable money that often comes from big donors, which is channelled through non-profits to hide the identity of the donor. This money is then able to back causes that may or may not be positive.
The Council for National Policy is an organization in the pipeline for Christian dark money. It finances groups like the Heritage Foundation, Focus on the Family, pro-life groups, Turning Point USA, and more. They also coordinate language around denial of climate change, COVID, and election results. Their first president was Tim LaHaye, but he is just the tip of the iceberg.
Our guide through this story is Anne Nelson, author of Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right. It is an excellent resource that is critical for anyone interested in how some evangelicals tied themselves to the Republican Party.
Sources:
Biographical video from Turning Point USA about Foster Friess
Shadow Network by Anne Nelson
Christian Reconstruction: RJ Rushdoony and American Religious Conservatism by Michael McVicar
100 Things to See in the Night Sky Expanded Edition. By Dean Regas
Christianity and Oil in US History
Article on Nelson Bunker Hunt
Birchers by Matthew Dallek
The Road to Serfdom (comic version) adapted from Hayek
Reaganland and Before the Storm by Rick Perlstein
"Information Sheet, Council for National Policy," May 1984
Dark Money by Jane Mayer
article on Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education
Ponzinomics by Robert Fitzpatrick
Justice Department article about Blackwater/ Prince
Adams, D. C., Robles, F., & Mazzetti, M. (2025). A Desperate Haiti Turns to Erik Prince, Trump Ally, In Fight Against Gangs. New York: New York Times Company.
Census data on Wyoming
Pat Robertson: A Life and Legacy by David Edwin Harrell Jr.
Leadership Institute website (accessed 8/8/25)
Email blast from National Religious Broadcasters titled: “NRB President & CEO to Advocate on Capitol Hill for AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act” released July 14, 2025
Salem Media website
NRB Article about Bott Radio
PRwatch.org article and video about CNP
Jackson Hole News and Guide article about Donald Trump Jr.'s visit to Jackson in 2016
New York Times article on Foster Friess
Tax documents from Turning Point USA, courtesy of Pro Publica
2017 Jane Mayer profile of Turning Point USA
ProPublica article on the Kochs
Time article on the Koch's and i360
Article on how many people didn't vote in 2024
New York Times article about Trump's call to the Georgia election rep
The Guardian article about Kirk's busing of people to the January 6, 2021, riot
EPA article about its origins
Discussion Questions:
What is dark money? Should Christians participate in it?
What are the functions of groups like the Council for National Policy?
Who was Foster Friess?
Why is it important to include a discussion of dark money when talking about things like Turning Point USA?
What is the connection between evangelicalism and oil?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices