David Koch: "There's Some Extremists" in the Tea Party, But Others "Normal People Like Us"

Brendan DeMelle DeSmog
onJan 6, 2011 @ 20:14 PST

Lee Fang from ThinkProgress was able to interview David Koch briefly today during Koch’s visit to Washington to congratulate his freshly purchased Congress. Fang persistently sought Koch’s opinion of the Tea Party, which his company Koch Industries helped to spawn through its Kochtopus network.  When asked whether he is proud of the Tea Party movement his largesse built, David Koch replied:

“There’s some extremists there, but the rank and file are just normal people like us.”

Yes folks, David Koch is just a normal person, like us. In fact he’s exactly like all the other “normal people” with an estimated worth of $21.5 billion, including his brother Charles for instance, and about four other folks in America.  They’re a rather ‘extremist’ version of normal, but hey, who defines ‘normal’ these days anyway?  Apparently the billionaire birthers of the astroturf Tea Party, that’s who.

Feast your eyes on this normal person, appearing relaxed and confident after being booed at The Nutcracker in Brooklyn before Christmas

Brendan DeMelle DeSmog
Brendan is Executive Director of DeSmog. He is also a freelance writer and researcher specializing in media, politics, climate change and energy. His work has appeared in Vanity Fair, The Huffington Post, Grist, The Washington Times and other outlets.

Related Posts

onDec 18, 2025 @ 12:45 PST

Speakers at the event previously said "there is no climate crisis" and there is "lively debate" on climate science.

Speakers at the event previously said "there is no climate crisis" and there is "lively debate" on climate science.
onDec 18, 2025 @ 11:55 PST

Far-right politicians from France, Germany, and other European nations and their U.S. allies celebrated their growing bonds and shared goals at a lavish party in New York City.

Far-right politicians from France, Germany, and other European nations and their U.S. allies celebrated their growing bonds and shared goals at a lavish party in New York City.
Series: MAGA
onDec 18, 2025 @ 10:44 PST

Emboldened by Trump’s LNG deregulation, industry CEOs brush off climate concerns as Gulf Coast residents warn new gas projects will further strain an already environmentally stressed region.

Emboldened by Trump’s LNG deregulation, industry CEOs brush off climate concerns as Gulf Coast residents warn new gas projects will further strain an already environmentally stressed region.
onDec 18, 2025 @ 09:49 PST

Report author Mark Cameron is at Bluesky Strategy Group, which boasts to clients “our team has the reach to get your story told” in Canadian media.

Report author Mark Cameron is at Bluesky Strategy Group, which boasts to clients “our team has the reach to get your story told” in Canadian media.