Dan Patrick Clings to Cash from PAC Tied to Anti-Semites

Earlier this week, The Texas Tribune made a startling revelation, reporting that Jonathan Stickland's Pale Horse Strategies had hosted the notorious white supremacist Nick Fuentes at their headquarters. The Tribune exposed this meeting following a stakeout of Pale Horse offices, during which they captured photographs of Fuentes, Texas GOP Chair Matt Rinaldi, and other members of Stickland's team entering and exiting the building before, during, and after the meeting with the white supremacist. Fuentes was chauffeured around by Chris Russo, a prominent figure associated with the Texas for Strong Borders group. Russo, who went by the pseudonym 'Optics Respecter,' had been actively involved in Fuentes' community known as the 'groypers' for several years, as confirmed by sources to Scorecard Confessions.

Earlier investigative work conducted by Scorecard Confessions has unveiled the extensive network of far-right extremists, collectively referred to as "The Enterprise."

Pale Horse Cover Up Includes Lying to Clients and Allies

In the wake of the Texas Tribune's report on the meeting with Fuentes, sources informed Scorecard Confessions that the leadership and associates of Pale Horse, including Jonathan Stickland and Luke Macias, attempted to deceive clients with one of two false narratives:

1. Fuentes purportedly visited the Pale Horse offices, but they claimed to have been aware of his identity and denied him entry into the building.
2. They contended that Fuentes did visit, and Jonathan Stickland provided him with advice, but they asserted there was no substantial connection with Fuentes, nor did an extended meeting take place with the anti-Semite.

Both of these explanations are clearly deceptive when assessed against undeniable evidence:

• Photographic evidence released by the Texas Tribune unequivocally confirms Fuentes' presence within the Pale Horse offices, capturing him exiting the premises.
• The Texas Tribune's report also disclosed a substantial 6.5-hour gap between Fuentes' entry and exit from the building, effectively debunking any claims that an extended meeting did not occur.

The Enterprise's Denial of a Relationship with Fuentes Under Scrutiny

Following the Tribune's exposure of the meeting between Jonathan Stickland's Pale Horse and Nick Fuentes, The Enterprise hastily attempted to persuade the media and allies that no ties existed with the anti-Semite. However, prior reporting by Scorecard Confessions casts significant doubt on their denial, suggesting that a relationship with Fuentes is highly likely:

• When allegations of sexual harassment and assault against January 6th organizer Ali Alexander emerged, Fuentes vocally defended him. Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene even accused Fuentes of aiding Alexander in concealing the alleged sexual misconduct, stating, "This is disgusting textbook predation of underage boys. And Nick Fuentes was in on it. #NickKnew."
• Ali Alexander maintains a close alliance with and serves as a confidant of Caroline Wren, a prominent fundraiser for the January 6th insurrection.
• Wren also held the position of campaign manager for Harmeet Dhillon's campaign to challenge RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel. Texas GOP Chair Matt Rinaldi, who was present at the Pale Horse offices during the meeting with Fuentes, was one of the few state chairmen to endorse Dhillon's candidacy.
• Wren enjoys a close association with indicted felon Steve Bannon, and Jonathan Stickland, Luke Macias, and Tony McDonald were regular guests on Bannon's podcast during the Ken Paxton impeachment.
• One of Ali Alexander's close confidants is C.J. Pierson, featured as an 'influencer' compensated by Brad Parscale's Influencable, a tweet astroturfing agency frequently utilized by Stickland and other entities within The Enterprise. Parscale recently relocated to Midland, Texas, residing in close proximity to one of The Enterprise's primary backers, Tim Dunn.

Moreover, in the aftermath of the Texas Tribune article, Quorum Report Editor Scott Braddock disclosed that sources had verified another meeting between Nick Fuentes and Jonathan Stickland's Pale Horse, occurring approximately six weeks ago. This revelation suggests that the Tribune-exposed meeting is at least the second known encounter between the far-right firm and Fuentes.

Tim Dunn's Boast: He was an Israel Supporter...last year

In a somewhat embarrassing effort at damage control, prominent funder of The Enterprise, Tim Dunn, proudly proclaimed his inclusion on a list of leading supporters of Israel. However, this list was published more than a year ago and appears not to align with the current stances of the political entities he financially backs.

Stickland's Attempted Collaboration with Democrats Exposed

Defend Texas Liberty has long been a staunch advocate against any collaboration with Democrats within the Texas legislature. They have vehemently criticized House Speaker Dade Phelan for appointing Democrats as chairs of subcommittees. Even another entity of The Enterprise, Texas Scorecard, went so far as to produce a documentary lambasting the Texas House for allowing Democrats to work alongside Republicans, emphasizing their opposition to such cooperation.

However, Stickland's criticism of the Texas House took a discrediting turn when it was revealed that he had, in fact, sought the assistance of Democrat activist Olivia Julianna to attack the Texas House, specifically Speaker Dade Phelan, earlier this year.

Stickland Exposes The Enterprise's Never Ending Hypocrisy

Once again, Stickland's willingness to collaborate with Democrats to criticize Dade Phelan for working with Democrats underscores the consistent hypocrisy within The Enterprise.

Several other instances highlight this pattern:

• The Enterprise frequently accuses the legislature of protecting sexual predators in public schools and other government agencies, even as they conspire to shield an ally who was expelled from the Texas House for similar actions.
• They launch attacks on members of the Texas Legislature, insinuating infidelity, all the while spending millions on advertising and paying the trial judge for Ken Paxton's impeachment, who has admitted to being involved in an extramarital affair.
• They level accusations against teachers for sexually preying on children, yet an employee of one of their political arms, Texas Right to Life, was arrested and charged with soliciting minors.

Dan Patrick Demands Dade Phelan Resign, Because Dan Patrick Took $3 Million from Defend Texas Liberty

Yes, you read that correctly.

In the hours following the release of the Tribune report, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan made a demand for Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick to refund a minimum of $3,000,000 in contributions he received from Pale Horse's political action committee, Defend Texas Liberty, given their connection to the meeting with Fuentes.

In a countermove to Phelan's request for a refund, Dan Patrick retaliated by demanding Dade Phelan's resignation for even suggesting such an action.

Dan Patrick Gets Dragged

Observant individuals have pointed out that Dan Patrick's criticism was exclusively directed at Fuentes, with no mention of anyone associated with Pale Horse or The Enterprise, who happen to be his top donors.

Reasonable minds can concur that Fuentes is an odious and bigoted individual. By the same token, they should also be able to concur that anyone actively seeking his views, presence, or perspective is equally reprehensible. In this regard, Dan Patrick has failed the test of morality.

Patrick's comfort with political allies who entertain the ideas of proponents of genocide is deeply troubling, although not entirely surprising, given his previous musings about how the elderly population in the United States should be willing to sacrifice themselves to save the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patrick's Next Election Isn't Until 2026

One of Patrick's primary rationales for retaining the $3,000,000 in campaign funds contributed by a PAC associated with anti-Semites is his upcoming re-election bid for Lieutenant Governor, scheduled for 2026.

Patrick currently boasts a war chest of over $15,500,000 in cash, and he is not scheduled for re-election for another 3 years. During an interview with KXAN's Monica Madden, Patrick disclosed that his 2022 re-election campaign cost between $25 million and $30 million. In essence, Patrick has already secured over 50% of his re-election budget, and this has been achieved in under 25% of the time remaining until his next campaign.

Patrick has faced substantial criticism for accepting the donation from Defend Texas Liberty, especially after he became aware that he would preside over the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton, leading to mounting questions about his impartiality. Following Paxton's acquittal by the Texas Senate, Patrick's actions strongly implied that he favored the Attorney General during the trial, a development that brought great satisfaction to Defend Texas Liberty, who astutely provided him with a $3 million contribution.

Now, Patrick has once more declined to return the $3 million from Defend Texas Liberty, despite the revelation that his primary contributors are actively engaging with an anti-Semite and Holocaust denier, all the while emphasizing his strong support for the State of Israel.

Both of these claims cannot be true at once. Patrick's resolute insistence on retaining the $3 million from a PAC that consistently associates with a Holocaust denier like Fuentes unequivocally indicates his preference for aligning with those who collaborate with individuals making statements as egregious as this:

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has staged a performance that leaves us incredulous. Patrick's insistence on retaining $3 million in campaign donations, despite mounting concerns about the origin of those funds, is a masterclass in political absurdity.

His argument? Accusing Speaker Dade Phelan of exploiting the ongoing conflict in Israel for political gain – a move that he insinuates is preventing him from returning the money. But does anyone truly believe that this is the only reason Patrick hasn't already done so?

To be clear, this attempt to cast blame on Speaker Phelan's motives is nothing more than a thinly veiled diversion. It maladroitly sidesteps the real issue at hand: the deeply problematic connections between Patrick's donors and the controversial figures they associate with, such as Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes.

The crux of the matter isn't about the Israel conflict; it's about Dan Patrick's ethical quandary posed by accepting funds from a PAC tied to individuals who support or collaborate with those who espouse hate-filled and divisive views. Patrick's reference to the Israel conflict acts as a convenient distraction, veiling the much more substantial apprehensions surrounding his unwavering loyalty in exchange for cash from a PAC associated with anti-Semites.

In essence, his accusation of Speaker Phelan's "political stunt" as the reason for not returning the money is political theatre at its most desperate. This matter transcends political divides; it centers on integrity and ethical responsibility. Dan Patrick's actions have failed on both accounts.