The Hidden Life of Trump Megadonor Robert Mercer

TL;DR

Robert Mercer, a wealthy Trump donor, is also a volunteer cop.

Transcript

This is the town of Lake Arthur, New Mexico. Population 433. It’s 3 ½ hours from Albuquerque, New Mexico and to call it a sleepy southwestern town would be an understatement. This is Will Norwood. Until recently, he was Lake Arthur's police chief. Lake Arthur was an unusual department -- almost every one of Norwood's officers were volunteers. 84 in... Read More

Key Insights

• Robert Mercer, a wealthy computer scientist, played a significant role in funding Donald Trump's presidential campaign and other right-wing projects.
• Mercer volunteered as a police officer in Lake Arthur, New Mexico, granting him the right to carry a concealed firearm nationwide.
• He is known for funding controversial and fringe ideas, including support for projects skeptical of mainstream science and economics.
• Mercer financially backed Steve Bannon, contributing to the rise of Breitbart News and its populist conservative agenda.
• He co-founded Cambridge Analytica, a political data firm involved in a major scandal for misusing Facebook user data.
• Beyond politics, Mercer's funding extends to unconventional scientific projects, such as life-extension research and promoting the gold standard.
• Mercer amassed his wealth through his work at Renaissance Technologies, a highly successful hedge fund.
• His interest in firearms is evident, as he co-owns a gun company and has a private pistol range in his home.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Robert Mercer gain the right to carry a concealed firearm nationwide?

Robert Mercer gained the right to carry a concealed firearm nationwide by volunteering as a police officer in Lake Arthur, New Mexico. This allowed him to benefit from a law that permits police officers to carry concealed guns across state lines. His involvement with the town's police department was part of a broader strategy to circumvent strict gun laws in his home state.

Q: What role did Mercer play in the rise of Breitbart News?

Robert Mercer played a pivotal role in the rise of Breitbart News by providing substantial financial backing. In 2011, he donated $10 million to the far-right, populist website, which enabled Steve Bannon to expand its reach and influence. Under Bannon's leadership, Breitbart became a significant force in conservative politics, helping to shape the populist agenda that later contributed to Donald Trump's election.

Q: What was the controversy surrounding Cambridge Analytica?

Cambridge Analytica, co-founded by Robert Mercer, became embroiled in a major scandal in 2018 for improperly accessing the personal data of 87 million Facebook users without their consent. The data was allegedly used to influence voter behavior during political campaigns, including Donald Trump's presidential run. This breach of privacy sparked widespread outrage and led to increased scrutiny of data practices in political and tech industries.

Q: What are some of the unconventional projects Mercer has funded?

Robert Mercer has funded several unconventional projects, including a scientist's effort in Oregon to extend human life using a large stockpile of human urine. He also supports a counter-conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, advocating for the gold standard. Additionally, Mercer has provided millions to groups that challenge the science of global warming, reflecting his skepticism of mainstream scientific consensus.

Q: How did Mercer accumulate his wealth?

Robert Mercer accumulated his wealth through his association with Renaissance Technologies, a highly successful hedge fund. After leaving IBM, where he contributed to advancements in speech-recognition software, he joined Renaissance Technologies and eventually became co-CEO in 2009. The fund's innovative quantitative trading strategies significantly increased Mercer's wealth, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in the finance industry.

Q: What is Mercer's relationship with Steve Bannon?

Robert Mercer has a long-standing relationship with Steve Bannon, marked by substantial financial support for Bannon's projects. Mercer was instrumental in Bannon's rise by funding Breitbart News and other initiatives. Their collaboration extended to co-founding Cambridge Analytica, a political data firm. Mercer's backing allowed Bannon to promote his vision of a populist conservative movement, significantly impacting American politics.

Q: What is Mercer's stance on mainstream science and economics?

Robert Mercer is known for his skepticism towards mainstream science and economics, often supporting projects that challenge conventional wisdom. He has funded initiatives that promote fringe science, such as life-extension research, and has backed organizations that question the validity of global warming science. Mercer's financial contributions reflect his interest in exploring unconventional ideas and his willingness to invest in projects outside the mainstream.

Q: Why did Mercer volunteer as a police officer in Lake Arthur, New Mexico?

Robert Mercer volunteered as a police officer in Lake Arthur, New Mexico, primarily to obtain a concealed carry permit that would allow him to carry a firearm across state lines. By becoming a volunteer officer, he leveraged a legal loophole that grants police officers the right to carry concealed weapons nationwide. This move highlights Mercer's dedication to exercising his gun rights, as well as his strategic approach to navigating restrictive gun laws.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Robert Mercer is a secretive billionaire who significantly influenced American politics by funding Donald Trump's campaign and other right-wing initiatives. His wealth stems from Renaissance Technologies, where he became co-CEO in 2009.

• Mercer's interests extend beyond politics; he supports controversial scientific projects and is a gun enthusiast. His volunteer police role in Lake Arthur, New Mexico, allowed him to carry a concealed firearm nationwide.

• He financially backed Steve Bannon and played a crucial role in the growth of Breitbart News. Mercer also co-founded Cambridge Analytica, a data firm involved in a major privacy scandal.