Billionaire donor Charles Koch spoke at an exclusive meeting of political donors this week, telling the audience America is "done for" if donors and politicians don't demand a smaller, less intrusive government.
"History demonstrates that when the American people get motivated by an issue of justice, that they believe is just, extraordinary things can be accomplished," he said on Sunday, going on to reference the American Revolution, abolition of slavery and women's and civil rights movements. "We, too, are seeking to right injustices that are holding our country back."
Koch was speaking in Southern California with 450 business leaders and elected officials. The network of donors has an $889 million budget for the 2016 cycle.
As such, five GOP contenders are speaking to the donor group, answering questions. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, responding to a question about why celebrity businessman Donald Trump is surging in GOP presidential polls, echoed Koch's sentiments that the country is at a crossroads.
"Americans instinctively understand that we have reached another one of those pivotal moments in our history where what's at stake is not what party is in charge but our identity as a nation and as a people," Rubio said. "And they want to see candidates that are passionate about that and will do something about it."
Donald Trump, who was not at the event because he doesn't need any money from the donor class tweeted out, "I wish good luck to all of the Republican candidates that traveled to California to beg for money etc. from the Koch Brothers. Puppets?"
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker spoke to the group, saying "I wish the whole world could see what goes on here."
Membership in the group is restricted to donors who have given more than $100,000 to Koch-backed organizations. According to ABC News, the meetings are so secretive, attendees must check their phones at the door. This year, a small number of reporters were invited to attend some of the forums, but were not allowed to disclose who the meeting attendees were.
