Committee to Defeat the President

According to paperwork filed with the FEC, the hybrid PAC's founder is political consultant Guy Short.{{cite web

| url = https://www.factcheck.org/2018/04/committee-to-defend-the-president/

| title = Committee to Defend the President

| work = FactCheck.org

| last1 = Shtrakhman

| first1 = Mark

| date = April 20, 2018

| accessdate = December 11, 2018

}}{{cite web

| url = https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3438270-Stop-Hillary-PAC-FCC.html

| title = Agreement Form for Non-candidate/Issue Advertisements

| work = DocumentCloud

| date = 2013

| accessdate = December 11, 2018

}} Campaign finance lawyer Dan Backer was listed as the PAC's first treasurer. According to federal records, the Committee to Defend the President's top vendor is political consulting firm Campaign Solutions, whose vice president of fundraising is also Guy Short.

Ted Harvey, a former member of the Colorado Senate, is the chairman of the Committee to Defend the President.

The PAC spent more than $6 million throughout 2015 and 2016, according to FEC records. However, federal records indicate that only around one-fourth of this amount went toward advertisements, robocalls, or other communication that supported or opposed a specific candidate. Most of the rest of the money went to vendors in Northern Virginia and Ohio, who were mostly political consultants.{{cite web

| url = https://publicintegrity.org/federal-politics/meet-the-true-source-of-those-viral-donald-trump-tv-ads/

| title = Meet the true source of those viral Donald Trump TV ads

| work = Center for Public Integrity

| last1 = Levinthal

| first1 = Dave

| date = February 3, 2017

| accessdate = December 6, 2018

}}

Stop Hillary PAC was founded in 2013. During the 2014 election cycle, the PAC raised more than $1 million to oppose Hillary Clinton.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fec.gov/|title=STOP HILLARY PAC - committee overview|website=FEC.gov|language=en|access-date=July 15, 2019}}

In 2016, Stop Hillary PAC raised nearly $7 million to oppose Clinton in her bid for the presidency, spending roughly $3.5 million in independent expenditures.{{cite web

| url = https://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/hillary-clinton-2016-stop-hillary-pac-094542

| title = 'Stop Hillary' PAC revs up

| work = Politico

| last1 = Arkin

| first1 = James

| date = July 22, 2013

| accessdate = December 6, 2018

}} Harvey stated that the PAC would spend up to $1 million to re-air ads that criticized Clinton's handling of the 2012 Benghazi attacks.{{Cite news|url=https://townhall.com/tipsheet/cortneyobrien/2016/10/22/stop-hillary-pac-benghazi-ad-n2234928|title=Stop Hillary PAC Spends $1 Million in Swing States to Remind Voters About Benghazi|last=O'Brien|first=Cortney|work=Townhall|access-date=August 9, 2017|language=en}} The PAC ran a TV advertisement featuring former Ambassador Christopher Stevens’ grave.{{Cite news|author=Eliza Collins|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/what-happens-in-vegas/2015/10/stop-hillary-pac-ad-chris-stevens-grave-214711|title=Ad by anti-Clinton group shows Chris Stevens' grave|work=Politico|date=October 13, 2015}}

Harvey has stated that his mission is to "defend the president from day one."{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/how-long-will-trump-be-white-house-president-preparing-8-full-years-595776|title=Trump is brushing the haters aside and preparing for another four years in office|date=May 6, 2017|work=Newsweek|access-date=August 9, 2017|language=en}} His PAC runs ads, conducts polls, publishes op-eds, and mobilizes activists.{{Cite news|author=David Weigel|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/03/29/the-barrage-of-pro-trump-tv-ads-ranked/|title=Analysis: The barrage of pro-Trump TV ads, ranked|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 29, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidesources.com/democrats-and-republicans-ignore-border-security-at-our-expense/|title=Democrats and Republicans Ignore Border Security — at Our Expense|date=March 14, 2019|website=InsideSources|language=en-US|access-date=March 26, 2019}}

In January 2017, the committee ran a TV ad urging viewers to call a toll-free number and pledge “to defend Donald Trump.” It has also run ads touting Trump's actions in his first 100 days, such as nominating Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/345811-fundraising-slows-at-pro-trump-super-pacs/|title=Fundraising slows at pro-Trump super PACs|last=Weaver|first=Dustin|date=August 8, 2017|work=The Hill|access-date=August 9, 2017}}

In December 2017, the committee filed an administrative complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), accusing Clinton's 2016 campaign and the Democratic Party of "an unprecedented, massive, nationwide multi-million dollar conspiracy."{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/12/27/whats-behind-the-claim-that-hillary-clinton-got-84-million-in-illegal-contributions/|title=Analysis: What's behind the claim that Hillary Clinton got '$84 million of potentially illegal campaign contributions?'|last=Weigel|first=David|date=December 27, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=January 2, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}} The complaint alleged an $84 million money laundering scheme between the Clinton campaign, Democratic National Committee, Democratic state parties, and donors, claimed to be in violation of campaign finance laws. In response to the allegation, the DNC called the claim a "political stunt" and pointed out that the Trump campaign had raised over $100 million from 20 Republican state parties.{{cite web| url = https://wgme.com/news/i-team/lawsuit-maine-democratic-party-helped-launder-millions-for-hillary-clinton

| title = Complaint alleges Maine Democratic Party helped launder millions for Hillary Clinton| work = WGME-TV| last1 = Chrisos| first1 = Jon| date = April 16, 2018| accessdate = December 6, 2018}} The FEC did not act on the committee's administrative complaint, and the committee sued the FEC in April 2018 in U.S. district court in DC. In May 2019, the committee's lawsuit was dismissed the suit pursuant to a joint stipulation of the parties.[https://www.fec.gov/updates/committee-defend-president-v-fec-new-litigation Committee to Defend the President v. FEC alleges failure to act on administrative complaint (D.D.C. 1:18-cv-00888-RDM)], Federal Election Commission.

In January 2023, the Committee filed an FEC complaint accusing Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) of illegally reaping the benefits of the University of California, Irvine's "subsidized affordable housing."{{Cite web |last=Keene |first=Houston |date=2023-01-20 |title=Katie Porter faces complaint over reaping benefits of university 'subsidized affordable housing' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/katie-porter-faces-complaint-reaping-benefits-university-subsidized-affordable-housing |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}} According to the Committee's complaint, the subsidy amounts to an illegal campaign contribution.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-25 |title=Katie Porter hit with FEC complaint for allegedly reaping UC Irvine housing benefits |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/katie-porter-hit-fec-complaint-housing-benefits |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=Washington Examiner |language=en}} The FEC subsequently agreed to investigate the matter.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-26 |title=FEC examines complaint against Katie Porter's alleged benefiting from UC Irvine housing |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/fec-investigates-katie-porters-uc-irvine-housing |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=Washington Examiner |language=en}}

In March 2023, the Committee targeted Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) with an FEC complaint, claiming Bush violated federal campaign finance laws by paying her husband, Cortney Merritts, for security in 2022, even though Merritts did not have a license to perform security functions in the congresswoman's district.{{Cite web |last=Schoffstall |first=Joe |date=2023-03-14 |title=Cori Bush hit with second FEC complaint over campaign security payments to husband |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cori-bush-second-fec-complaint-campaign-security-payments-husband |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Holleman |first=Joe |date=2023-04-19 |title=Holleman: Campaign report data shows Cori Bush still employing husband |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/holleman-campaign-report-data-shows-cori-bush-still-employing-husband/article_ed89010e-ddf7-11ed-ab4a-07a15c0167b4.html |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}} Harvey called Bush "corrupt." In August, the group also sent new complaints and supplements for previous complaints to the Office of Congressional Ethics, Department of Justice, D.C. Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department over the alleged campaign finance violations.{{Cite web |last=Schoffstall |first=Joe |date=2023-08-30 |title='Squad' Rep. Cori Bush faces increased pressure over campaign payments to husband for security services |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cori-bush-faces-increased-pressure-campaign-payments-husband-security-services |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}

The committee was heavily involved in Tennessee's Senate race, supporting Rep. Marsha Blackburn's (R-TN) successful campaign.{{Cite news|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/tn-elections/2018/07/16/tennessee-elections-senate-2018-polls-marsha-blackburn-phil-bredesen-tn-politics/790460002/|title=Trump-aligned poll shows Marsha Blackburn's lead over Phil Bredesen narrowing|work=The Tennessean|access-date=September 28, 2018|language=en}} In September 2018, the Committee announced more than $900,000 in spending to boost Blackburn's candidacy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-score/2018/09/25/kavanaugh-confirmation-looms-over-midterms-350454|title=Kavanaugh confirmation looms over midterms|website=Politico|language=en|access-date=September 28, 2018}}

In August 2019, the committee announced its support for Dan Bishop's congressional campaign in North Carolina's 9th district, pledging $200,000 to boost Bishop's candidacy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article234306112.html|title=Trump tweets that he'll visit the 9th District to support Republican Dan Bishop|last=|first=|date=|website=Charlotte Observer|access-date=}} In September 2019, Bishop won the special election, defeating Democrat Dan McCready with 50.7 percent of the vote.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/09/10/759656753/republican-dan-bishop-wins-north-carolina-special-congressional-election|title=Republican Dan Bishop Wins North Carolina Special Congressional Election|website=NPR|language=en|access-date=September 17, 2019}}

During the 2020 election cycle, the committee raised more than $16 million and spent over $14 million in support of Trump's reelection campaign.{{Cite web|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2019/02/unprecedented-spending-by-outside-groups-already-fueling-trumps-2020-bid/|title=Unprecedented spending by outside groups already fueling Trump's 2020 bid | publisher=OpenSecrets |date=February 7, 2019}} In June 2019, the committee partnered with the pro-Trump Great America PAC, pledging to spend $1 million with the goal of registering one million new Trump voters.{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/446980-exclusive-top-trump-super-pacs-join-forces-on-voter-mobilization-effort/|title=Exclusive: Top Trump super PACs join forces on voter mobilization effort|last=Conradis|first=Brandon|date=June 4, 2019|website=The Hill|language=en|access-date=July 15, 2019}} Harvey has also pledged $1 million expenditures in key battleground states, such as Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.

The committee ran ads criticizing Democrats for impeaching Trump.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/thank-van-drew-ads-to-start-this-weekend/article_08d8c8af-7664-55be-a05b-42673d2fa21c.html|title='Thank Van Drew' ads to start this weekend|first=Michelle|last=Brunetti|website=Press of Atlantic City|language=en|access-date=January 17, 2020}} In December 2019, the PAC praised Representative Jeff Van Drew for leaving the Democratic Party after voting against the impeachment of Trump, running a $250,000 advertising campaign in Van Drew's New Jersey district.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2019/12/pro-trump-group-already-spending-250k-to-back-van-drew.html|title=Pro-Trump group already spending $250K to back Van Drew|first=Jonathan D. |last=Salant |date=December 21, 2019|website=nj.com|language=en|access-date=January 17, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/34OQLIn|title=Pro-Trump super PAC airing ads praising Van Drew|last=Friedman|first=Matt|website=Politico PRO|language=en|access-date=January 17, 2020}}

During the Democratic primaries, the committee spent $250,000 on advertising campaigns in each of Nevada, North Carolina, and South Carolina to attack Joe Biden.{{Cite web|url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/pro-trump-super-pac-takes-aim-at-joe-biden-on-immigration-in-new-spanish-language-ad|title=Pro-Trump super PAC takes aim at Joe Biden on immigration in new Spanish-language ad|website=thenevadaindependent.com|language=en|access-date=March 24, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/485430-pro-trump-group-refuses-to-pull-ad-featuring-obama-despite-cease-and-desist/|title=Pro-Trump group refuses to pull ad featuring Obama despite cease-and-desist letter|last=Cohn|first=Alicia|date=March 2, 2020|website=The Hill|language=en|access-date=March 24, 2020}} The ads targeted Biden's stance on immigration and questioned why President Barack Obama has not endorsed him.{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/39Ov7XO|title=Trump's counterprogramming Democrats with campaign blitz|last=Montellaro|first=Zach|website=Politico|language=en|access-date=March 24, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/484841-obama-lawyers-to-send-cease-and-desist-letter-to-pro-trump-group-of-south/|title=Obama demands pro-Trump group's ad be pulled in South Carolina|last=Manchester|first=Julia|date=February 26, 2020|website=The Hill|language=en|access-date=March 24, 2020}} In New Hampshire, the PAC used billboards and signs to tie Democratic president candidates to "The Squad" (with the messaging "The Squad. Open borders. Socialism. Green New Deal"){{Cite web|url=https://www.wmur.com/article/national-pro-trump-political-committee-launches-messages-tying-democratic-candidates-to-the-squad/28937965|title=National pro-Trump political committee launches messages tying Democratic candidates to 'The Squad'|last=DiStaso|first=John|date=September 6, 2019|website=WMUR|language=en|access-date=April 13, 2020}} and used a Joe Biden "Corn Pops" prop.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2020/02/24/beautiful-art-hassling-politicians-while-wearing-animal-costumes/?arc404=true|title=The Beautiful Art of Hassling Politicians While Wearing Animal Costumes|last=Ashworth|first=Samuel|date=|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=}}

Several of the committee's anti-Biden ads have been deceptive:[https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-biden-ad-racist/fact-check-ad-takes-joe-biden-quote-out-of-context-idUSKCN24N30U Fact check: Ad takes Joe Biden quote out of context], Reuters (July 22, 2020).Angelo Fichera, [https://www.factcheck.org/2020/07/anti-biden-ad-misleads-on-race-claims/ Anti-Biden Ad Misleads on Race Claim], FactCheck.org (July 23, 2020).

• An ad run by the committee in the lead-up to the South Carolina Democratic primary, featured a narrator reading a passage from Barack Obama's 1995 book Dreams from My Father over text criticizing of Biden, giving the misleading impression that Obama was criticizing Biden. In fact, the passage from Obama's book quotes a barber in an entirely different context.Rem Rieder, [https://www.factcheck.org/2020/02/a-misleading-anti-biden-ad-from-trump-backers/ A Misleading Anti-Biden Ad from Trump Backers], FactCheck.org (February 27, 2020). The ad prompted Obama's representatives to send a cease-and-desist letter to the super PAC, demanding that the misleading ad be taken down;{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/26/politics/obama-cease-and-desist/index.html|title=Obama sends cease-and-desist letter to Republican super PAC over Biden ad|first=Dan |last=Merica|publisher=CNN|access-date=March 24, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/26/obama-biden-tv-attack-ad-117776|title=Obama to TV stations: Take down misleading Biden attack ad|last=Caputo|first=Marc|website=Politico|language=en|access-date=March 24, 2020}} the committee refused and doubled down on its anti-Biden advertising.
• One six- or seven-second Facebook ad run by the committee misleadingly accused Biden of using racial slurs in 1985; in fact, Biden had been quoting a white lawmaker to expose the comments as racist.
• In June 2020, the committee released an ad titled Lost His Mind, suggesting that Biden has dementia and "lost" his mind;{{Cite news|title=Pro-Trump group runs ad: 'Does Joe Biden have dementia?'|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jun/24/pro-trump-group-runs-ad-does-joe-biden-have-dement/|access-date=July 1, 2020|newspaper=The Washington Times|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Swanson|first=Ian|date=June 23, 2020|title=Pro-Trump group ad questions Biden's mental fitness|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/504207-pro-trump-group-ad-questions-bidens-mental-fitness/|access-date=July 1, 2020|website=The Hill|language=en}} the committee spent $400,000 to run the ad on cable news, Arizona broadcast networks, and social media.{{Cite web|last1=Mutnick|first1=Ally|last2=Montellaro|first2=Zach|title=Madison Cawthorn's advice for the GOP|url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-score/2020/06/25/madison-cawthorns-advice-for-the-gop-788786|access-date=July 1, 2020|website=Politico|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Villasanta|first=Arthur|date=June 24, 2020|title=Election 2020: Trump Supporters Question If Biden Mentally Fit To Be President|url=https://www.ibtimes.com/election-2020-trump-supporters-question-if-biden-mentally-fit-be-president-2999525|access-date=July 1, 2020|website=International Business Times}}
• In a Spanish-language ad run in July 2020, the committee attacked Biden, falsely claiming, "He promised his party an African American Vice President. Not a Latino ... Why aren't Latinos good enough for Joe?" In fact, Biden made no such "promise" to pick an African American running mate, and he considered several contenders from a variety of ethnic backgrounds for the role. U.S. Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey criticized the PAC for seeking to divide blacks and Latinos.David Wildstein, [https://newjerseyglobe.com/presidential-election/menendez-blasts-pro-trump-super-pac-ad-seeking-to-divide-latinos-blacks/ Menendez blasts pro-Trump super PAC ad seeking to divide Latinos, Blacks], New Jersey Globe (July 31, 2020).

In August 2020, Facebook, Inc. temporarily barred the committee from running Facebook ads due to its repeated false posts, stating: "As a result of the Committee to Defend the President's repeated sharing of content determined by third-party fact-checkers to be false, they will not be permitted to advertise for a period of time on our platform."[https://www.reuters.com/article/facebook-election-idCNL8N2F8998 Facebook bars pro-Trump PAC from advertising, citing repeated false posts], Reuters (August 6, 2020). The company did not specify the duration of the suspension. From 2018 to August 2020, the committee had spent about $300,000 in Facebook ads.{{cite web|first = Donie | last = O'Sullivan| authorlink = Donie O'Sullivan (journalist) | url = https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/06/tech/facebook-trump-pac-ban/index.html | title = Facebook bans ads from pro-Trump PAC | publisher=CNN | date = August 6, 2020}}

In September and October 2020, the Committee spent $2 million in separate ad buys attacking Biden in Arizona, seeking to tie him to antifa; "rioters" and "looters"; and "the devastation and ruin of our beautiful cities" (which the group's ads called "just another day in Joe Biden's America").{{Cite web|last=Klar|first=Rebecca|date=2020-09-10|title=Pro-Trump super PAC launches $1M ad buy in Arizona attacking Biden|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/515846-pro-trump-super-pac-launches-1m-ad-buy-in-arizona-attacking-biden/|access-date=2020-10-26|website=The Hill|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Axelrod|first=Tal|date=2020-10-15|title=Pro-Trump group rolls out another $1M in ads targeting Arizona voters|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/521209-pro-trump-super-pac-rolls-out-1-million-ad-blitz-in-arizona/|access-date=2020-10-26|website=The Hill|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Shaw|first=Adam|date=2020-09-30|title=Biden says Antifa is an 'idea,' days after WH moved to label it a terror group|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-antifa-idea-what-we-know|access-date=2020-10-26|website=Fox News|language=en-US}}

In December 2020, the Committee backed a lawsuit over election monitor access in Georgia's Cobb County, the first legal victory for Republicans in the state leading up to the Senate run-off elections.{{Cite web|title=Cobb County enters into consent agreement to settle Republican suit over monitor access|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/politics/elections/cobb-county-gop-poll-watcher-access-consent-agreement/85-ade06715-7ff2-471a-9280-3a997b896e09|access-date=2021-01-27|website=11Alive.com|language=en-US}} Harvey applauded the Cobb County Superior Court for "helping us bring accuracy, fairness, and transparency to Georgia."

In January 2021, the PAC changed its name to the Committee to Defeat the President, pledging a seven-figure investment "to expose the Biden-Harris administration and other Democrats for their left-wing politics."

The Committee mobilized heavily in North Carolina, supporting Rep. Ted Budd's successful campaign for U.S. Senate and opposing Cheri Beasley's alleged "left-wing radicalism."{{Cite web |title=Conservative PAC invests $1M to help Budd in final days keep NC Senate seat, defeat Biden agenda |url=https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/elections/conservative-pac-invests-1m-help-budd-final-days-keep-nc-senate-seat |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Just The News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-10-25 |title=Obama cuts ad for Cheri Beasley as Republicans ratchet up offensive in North Carolina |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/obama-cuts-ad-cheri-beasley-republicans-offensive-north-carolina |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Washington Examiner |language=en}} It spent more than $1 million on the Senate race, including social media advertising, get-out-the-vote initiatives, and voter contact efforts.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-25 |title=Pro-Trump PAC spends $1 million for Budd as Obama endorses Beasley |url=https://www.carolinajournal.com/pro-trump-pac-spends-1-million-for-budd-as-obama-endorses-beasley/ |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Carolina Journal - |language=en-US}}

The Committee also came out in support of Republican candidate Herschel Walker in Georgia's run-off election, launching a roughly $300,000 ad campaign featuring Walker himself.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-17 |title=Anti-Biden super PAC to launch six-figure ad campaign supporting Herschel Walker next week |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/anti-biden-super-pac-launch-six-figure-ad-herschel-walker |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Washington Examiner |language=en}}

In September 2023, the Committee officially endorsed Trump's 2024 campaign.{{Cite web |last=Harvey |first=Ted |title=In 2024, it’s still Donald Trump for president—and none other |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/sep/27/2024-its-still-donald-trump-presidentand-none-othe/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=The Washington Times |language=en-US}} In a Washington Times op-ed column, Harvey claimed Trump was "the most effective champion of conservative values of any president" in his lifetime.{{Cite web |last=Harvey |first=Ted |title=In 2024, it’s still Donald Trump for president—and none other |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/sep/27/2024-its-still-donald-trump-presidentand-none-othe/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=The Washington Times |language=en-US}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.committeetodefendthepresident.com/ Committee to Defend the President]

Category:2013 establishments in the United States

Category:Organizations established in 2013

Category:United States political action committees

Category:Conservative organizations in the United States