Controversial right-wing billionaire philanthropist Charles Koch was accosted by protesters on Thursday, who rushed the stage as the libertarian Cato Institute awarded him the Milton Friedman Prize.
According to footage posted to X by business reporter Zachary Halaschak, the protesters could be seen charging onto the stage before security as the audience tried to drown them out in boos. One of the protesters could be heard chanting what sounds like: "Koch lies! People die!"
Koch, apparently unfazed, continued with his speech, responding to the protesters by saying, “When you have those kind of enemies, you know you’re doing the right thing.”
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Charles Koch, along with his late brother David, became infamous in recent decades for their promotion of right-wing deregulatory causes, pouring vast amounts of wealth into "dark money" political nonprofit groups that came to be known as the "Koch network." This, combined with their heavy involvement in fossil fuels and their promotion of climate change denial, made the Koch brothers the poster children of ultra-wealthy influence on politics among liberal activists.
The Koch brothers and their network took a prominent role in boosting Republican politicians during the Obama administration years; however, the takeover of the Republican Party by Trump put them in an uncomfortable position, as many of his beliefs clashed with their more libertarian ideals.
As a result of this, the Koch network broadly took a backseat during Trump's election years, although some reporting suggested they planned to oppose his candidacy in the 2024 election.
Watch the videos below or at this link.
Conservative billionaire Charles Koch, making a rare public appearance in Washington to accept an award, has his speech interrupted by protesters.
“When you have those kind of enemies, you know you’re doing the right thing.” pic.twitter.com/BEEBFQdDva
— Teddy Schleifer (@teddyschleifer) May 2, 2025
Protesters rush the stage where Charles Koch is being honored with Cato’s Milton Friedman prize at the Washington Hilton - they were removed quickly by security pic.twitter.com/G3Hoy53yMC
— Zachary Halaschak (@zhalaschak) May 2, 2025
