Dossier

Rockbridge Network

Rockbridge Network is the central donor-coordination and personnel-placement organization connecting Silicon Valley wealth to the Trump administration. Its investigative significance derives from three functions: (1) it operates the financial infrastructure through which tech billionaires and traditional conservative donors fund Republican campaigns and voter mobilization at scale, channeling over $100 million since 2019 through a structure of 501(c)(4)s and super PACs which shields individual donor identities under 501(c)(4) rules; (2) it runs a Transition Project that placed multiple officials in senior government positions, creating a direct donor-to-appointee channel; (3) it is expanding internationally through Rockbridge Korea and planned branches in Taiwan and Japan, establishing bilateral influence channels between foreign business elites and the office of the Vice President. Buskirk's simultaneous control of Rockbridge, 1789 Capital, Firebrand Action, Faithful in Action, and the Executive Branch private club creates a single individual at the center of political fundraising, media operations, venture capital, church mobilization, and donor access to Cabinet officials.

Silicon Valley Defense Complex

37 findings 21 connections 0 entities

Snapshot

Updated: 2026-03-14T19:45:12

Findings: 37

Connections: 21

Entities: 0

Applicable Models

parallel-financial-system private-order jurisdictional-arbitrage complexity-as-credential enabler-gradient

Open Questions

What is the complete donor list for Rockbridge's 501(c)(4) entities? Only the super PAC (Turnout for America) discloses donors via FEC filings. The four 501(c)(4) organizations, which collectively moved over $20 million through Over the Horizon Action alone, do not disclose individual donors. The identities of the 150-200 members paying $100,000-$1,000,000 annually are not publicly documented.

What specific government positions were filled through the Rockbridge Transition Project, beyond the Cabinet-level appointments documented in reporting? The $3 million budget and stated goal of creating a 'government-in-waiting' imply sub-Cabinet placements that have not been publicly identified.

What is the relationship between Rockbridge Korea, 1789 Partners (the Korea-based investment arm), and 1789 Capital (the US-based fund)? Are they formally affiliated, and do they share investors or management? The South Korean entities are new and their corporate structure has not been verified through Korean registry filings.

What are the terms and structure of the Executive Branch private club in Georgetown? Buskirk, Trump Jr., and Omeed Malik are identified as co-owners, but membership pricing, legal structure, and ethics implications of sitting Cabinet officials attending a club co-owned by the President's son and a major donor network operator have not been examined.

How does Rockbridge coordinate with America PAC (Elon Musk's super PAC) and the broader MAGA donor infrastructure? Musk is listed as a Rockbridge member per Economy.ac but the operational relationship between the two networks — which together deployed tens of thousands of field operatives in 2024 — is not documented in primary sources.

Rockbridge Network is a Delaware LLC (file 5834011, incorporated April 12, 2021) co-founded in 2019 by Vice President JD Vance and Chris Buskirk as a Trump-aligned alternative to the Koch donor network. The organization steers eight sub-entities: four 501(c)(4) organizations (Over the Horizon Action, Better Tomorrow, Firebrand Action, and The Faithful in Action), two super PACs (Turnout for America and the terminated Saving Arizona PAC), one donor-advised 501(c)(3) (Revitalization Partners), and the umbrella LLC itself — a structure documented through review of filings and reporting ¹ ². Membership ranges from 150 to 200 individuals paying $100,000 to $1 million annually, with total contributions exceeding $100 million since 2019 and an estimated 2024 budget of $75 million ³.

Cross-reference of FEC and 990 filings shows tens of millions in super PAC fundraising and a multi-layered 501(c)(4) grant distribution system routing funds through Over the Horizon Action to subsidiary entities ⁴ ⁵. Rockbridge deployed thousands of field operatives across swing states for the 2024 election and ran a dedicated Transition Project to identify and train personnel for the Trump administration ⁶ ⁷.

As of March 2026, multiple Rockbridge members or speakers hold senior government positions: VP Vance (co-founder), White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, HHS Secretary RFK Jr., DNI Tulsi Gabbard, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. According to financial disclosures and public reporting, at least seven officials with Rockbridge ties now serve in the administration ⁸ ⁹. Rockbridge Korea was established in Seoul in September 2025, with planned expansion to Taiwan and Japan, transforming the network from a domestic donor organization into an international influence operation with direct channels between foreign business elites and the Vice President's office ¹⁰ ¹¹.

Legal and Organizational Structure

Rockbridge Network LLC was incorporated in Delaware on April 12, 2021, as file number 5834011. The umbrella LLC steers eight sub-organizations, each serving a distinct function in the network's political operations, according to review of filings and organizational records ². Over the Horizon Action (EIN 88-0696885, Arlington, VA) is the primary 501(c)(4) financial distribution hub, receiving $20.7 million and re-granting to subsidiary entities: $6.9 million to Better Tomorrow, $2.05 million to Faithful in Action, and $1.25 million to DAFgiving360 , according to review of the filings ⁴. Better Tomorrow (EIN 87-2086524, Richmond, VA) handles voter turnout operations. Firebrand Action (EIN 92-0533628, Glen Allen, VA, incorporated 2022) functions as the media and investigative journalism arm, with $8 million committed to rapid response, polling, documentaries, and influencer programs ⁵. The Faithful in Action (EIN 93-1558726, Cheyenne, WY, incorporated 2023) manages church mobilization and claims 160,000 members ¹².

Turnout for America (FEC C00883520, Alexandria, VA, registered July 17, 2024) is the primary super PAC, raising $45.67 million in the 2023-2024 cycle and disbursing $34.5 million, including $14 million to Patriot Grassroots LLC for field canvassing ⁵. The terminated Saving Arizona PAC (FEC C00777185, established 2021) raised $31.8 million, including $15 million from Peter Thiel, to support Blake Masters's 2022 Senate campaign, according to FEC records ¹³. America 21 PAC (FEC C00804690) operates as a satellite super PAC receiving funds from both Saving Arizona and Turnout for America. Review of filings indicates Revitalization Partners functions as a 501(c)(3) donor-advised fund account, likely held at Schwab Charitable/DAFgiving360 ².

All Rockbridge PACs share identical professional services infrastructure: Janna Rutland (a Crosby Ottenhoff Group employee) serves as treasurer across all entities, Crosby Ottenhoff Group LLC (Mountain Brook, AL) provides compliance consulting, Holtzman Vogel PLLC handles legal work, CMDI manages databases, and Chain Bridge Bank (McLean, VA) provides banking. PO Box 9891 in Arlington, VA is shared by Over the Horizon Action and Saving Arizona PAC, the same address used by WinRed. Review of FEC records shows Rutland serves as treasurer for 58 or more FEC-registered committees across the conservative ecosystem ¹⁴.

Financial Flows and Donor Base

The network's budget trajectory reflects rapid growth: approximately $15 million in 2021 ($3 million for the Transition Project, $8 million for media, $3.75 million for litigation), roughly $30 million in 2022, and $75 million in 2024. Total member contributions since 2019 exceed $100 million. Membership grew from 125 in 2023 to 150-200 by late 2024. After Trump's 2024 election victory, the minimum attendance price at Rockbridge events rose from $5,000 to $25,000 ³.

FEC filings for Turnout for America identify the largest individual donors: Diane Hendricks ($11 million, ABC Supply chairman), Kelcy Warren ($7.5 million, Energy Transfer Partners), and Andrew Beal ($2 million, Beal Bank). Additional major donors to the broader Rockbridge network include Peter Thiel (described as early financier), the Winklevoss twins (who made a $1 million Bitcoin donation to Trump), and 1789 Capital co-founder Rebekah Mercer ⁵ ¹⁵. Howard Lutnick donated $1.98 million to Rockbridge-associated PACs before being named Secretary of Commerce, according to FEC records ¹³.

Over the Horizon Action operates as the central routing node for 501(c)(4) money: its $20.7 million in receipts flowed to Better Tomorrow ($6.9 million), Faithful in Action ($2.05 million), and DAFgiving360 ($1.25 million). Better Tomorrow in turn re-granted to American Encore ($275,000), Faithful in Action ($125,000), and Firebrand Action ($12,500). Turnout for America's $34.5 million in disbursements included $750,000 to America 21 PAC and $1.7 million to American Majority Action , as financial flow analysis of 990 and FEC data shows ⁴. The 501(c)(4) structure shields donor identities; only the super PAC disclosures provide individual donor data, and even those are routed through the WinRed-affiliated back-office infrastructure, according to review of FEC records ¹⁴.

Government Personnel and Administration Ties

The Rockbridge Transition Project, funded at $3 million, was established to identify, recruit, and train personnel for a Republican administration, per leaked prospectus documents. Its stated mission was to 'create a government-in-waiting with the people and the plans to staff the next Republican Administration' ⁷. Analysis of reporting and personnel records indicates the following Rockbridge-associated individuals now hold senior government positions: VP JD Vance (co-founder), White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles (headlined the Fall 2024 summit and hosted a private dinner for 30 Rockbridge donors in Las Vegas before being named to the role the same month), Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (member and speaker at April 2025 Miami event), HHS Secretary RFK Jr. (paid $100,000 by Over the Horizon Action to speak at the November 2024 summit, nominated for HHS weeks later), DNI Tulsi Gabbard (speaker at April 2025 Miami event), and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff (speaker at Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, April 2025) , according to reporting and financial disclosures ⁹.

David Sacks, White House AI and Crypto Czar, is a confirmed Rockbridge speaker and PayPal Mafia member with longstanding ties to Vance through the Stanford Review and Thiel's network ¹⁵. James Blair served as secretary of Firebrand Action (a Rockbridge subsidiary), resigned to join the Trump campaign, and became White House Deputy Chief of Staff, demonstrating a direct subsidiary-to-White House personnel pathway, according to review of FEC filings and reporting ¹⁶. At the Spring 2025 gathering at the Ritz-Carlton in Key Biscayne, four sitting Cabinet officials briefed Rockbridge donors: Bessent, RFK Jr., Gabbard, and Witkoff, according to reporting and event records ¹⁷. Campaign officials Chris LaCivita (co-manager), Tony Fabrizio (pollster), and Meredith O'Rourke (fundraising director) attended Rockbridge events during the 2024 cycle, according to reporting ⁸.

Silicon Valley and Tech Donor Nexus

After the 2024 election, roughly 50 percent of new Rockbridge members came from the tech industry, shifting the network's center of gravity from traditional conservative donors toward Silicon Valley wealth, according to reporting ¹⁸. Confirmed Silicon Valley members, donors, or speakers include: Peter Thiel (described as early financier and mentor to Vance, maintains presence at high-dollar retreats), David Sacks (speaker and member, now White House AI and Crypto Czar, PayPal Mafia), Palmer Luckey (speaker, Anduril Industries founder), Marc Andreessen (speaker and member, a16z co-founder), Ken Howery (member, Founders Fund partner, former US Ambassador to Sweden, described as working the social scene at Rockbridge events), Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss (major donors), Emil Michael (former Uber executive, April 2024 attendee), Erik Voorhees (crypto, April 2024 attendee), and Blake Masters (backer, Thiel protege) ¹⁵.

Elon Musk is listed as a member per Economy.ac, though primary-source evidence for his direct participation is thinner than for the confirmed speakers above ¹⁵. The systemic pattern identified across eleven individuals in the PayPal Mafia and defense-tech network shows Rockbridge serving as the coordinating infrastructure for this group's political operations, bridging tech wealth to political power through a shared institutional node, as examination of LittleSis and FEC records indicates ¹⁹.

Policy priorities promoted at Rockbridge gatherings align with tech-sector interests: crypto deregulation, reduced AI oversight, SEC weakening, anti-ESG, and anti-DEI. Buskirk has characterized the Rockbridge vision as building a 'productive elite aristocracy rather than an extractive elite oligarchy.' The network views itself as the leading edge of a Republican Party where tech-populist donors replace traditional twentieth-century donors on both left and right, according to reporting on Rockbridge's internal positioning ¹⁸.

Rockbridge Network

42 nodes · 53 edges · 2-hop

Size = connections · color = relationship · dash = certainty

Scaffolded layout

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Chris Buskirk as Operational Hub

Chris Buskirk (born circa 1968-69, Claremont McKenna graduate, Claremont Institute Publius Fellow) is the operational center connecting Rockbridge to multiple conservative institutions, according to review of records across LittleSis, corporate filings, and FEC data ²⁰. He simultaneously holds the following positions: co-founder and leader of Rockbridge Network, founder and CIO of 1789 Capital (which crossed $1 billion AUM in September 2025), publisher of American Greatness, president of Firebrand Action and Faithful in Action, and co-owner of Executive Branch (a Georgetown private club providing donor access to Trump Cabinet members, alongside Donald Trump Jr. and Omeed Malik), according to review of records ²¹ ¹³.

1789 Capital, co-founded with Omeed Malik and Rebekah Mercer in October 2022, emerged directly from the Rockbridge Network and has invested $15 million in Tucker Carlson's media company, holds positions in SpaceX, xAI, and Neuralink, and added Donald Trump Jr. as a partner after the 2024 election ²². FEC records show Buskirk's personal political spending includes $110,000 to Trump 47 Committee, $106,700 to the RNC, $10,000 to Vance Victory, and $5,800 to Blake Masters — per FEC filings ¹³.

Analysis of corporate filings reveals that Buskirk operates through a deliberate opacity structure: the only entity where he appears as a named officer is the Center for American Greatness Inc. (EIN 81-4984970), the 501(c)(3) research arm. All other entities use proxy officers drawn from two distinct personal networks (the Gibson cluster and the Yoder cluster), maintaining legal distance between Buskirk's public profile and his organizational control, per examination of corporate filings across multiple jurisdictions ²³ ²⁴.

Election and Field Operations

Rockbridge's Red State Project allocated $6-8 million per state to convert Arizona, Michigan, and Nevada from battleground to reliably conservative states. All three flipped to Trump in 2024: Arizona by 5.5 points (the largest margin of any swing state), Nevada by 3.1 points, and Michigan by 1.4 points. Rockbridge deployed approximately 5,000 field operatives across seven swing states via Better Tomorrow and Over the Horizon Action GOTV operations. Turnout for America's primary expenditure was $14 million to Patriot Grassroots LLC (Cheyenne, WY) for field canvassing , as review of FEC disbursement records shows ²⁵ ⁵.

The voter registration program registered 125,000 voters in 2023 using an ambassador model (ten new voters per organizer) and targeted doubling that figure for 2024. The voter database was built through non-political memberships in outdoor groups and churches, a method that creates a contact list outside traditional political channels. Faithful in Action's 160,000 members provide the church mobilization pathway ⁶ ¹². Attribution is inherently difficult: multiple factors drove the 2024 results, and Rockbridge's specific marginal contribution cannot be isolated from the broader Trump campaign infrastructure, as analysis of available data suggests ²⁵.

Firebrand Action handles Rockbridge's media operations with $8 million committed to investigative journalism, documentaries, influencer programs, and rapid response communications. A leaked seven-page prospectus obtained by Reuters describes Rockbridge as a 'political venture capital firm' that will 'leverage investors' capital with the right political expertise to replace the current Republican ecosystem of think tanks, media organizations and activist groups.' The group is planning deployment for the 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential race ²⁶.

International Expansion

Rockbridge Korea was established in Seoul in September 2025 as a think tank, with its first general meeting held on September 24, 2025. The board includes former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, former Finance Minister Bahk Jae-wan, and Shinsegae Group chairman Chung Yong-jin, who was named head of Rockbridge Asia to oversee regional operations. Chairperson Kim Hae-young (lawyer, former Democratic Party lawmaker) leads the Seoul entity. Chung met VP Vance at a December 2025 Christmas dinner and has been spotted meeting Donald Trump Jr. in Spain ¹⁰ ¹¹.

The Asia expansion extends to two additional markets: Richard Tsai (chairman of Fubon Financial Holdings) is designated to lead a Taiwan branch, and Tadashi Maeda (Japan Bank for International Cooperation) is designated to chair a Japan branch. Park Byung-eun heads 1789 Partners, a Korea-based investment arm linked to Rockbridge and 1789 Capital. Buskirk visited South Korea in January 2026 to pledge deeper bilateral collaboration ¹¹ ⁷.

Analysis of these developments indicates Rockbridge is expanding beyond its domestic donor-coordination role into international relationship-building, with direct channels between foreign business elites and the Vice President's office. Donald Trump Jr., who holds no official government title, is described in reporting as instrumental in the global expansion. Japanese political and business leaders are expected to join next ¹¹.

Key Organizational Relationships

Peter Thiel is described as the early financier and mentor to Vance since before the 2022 Senate race. Thiel contributed $15 million to Saving Arizona PAC (backing Blake Masters) and maintains a presence at Rockbridge retreats. As founder of Palantir and co-founder of Founders Fund, he bridges the Rockbridge donor network to the defense-tech venture capital ecosystem Connection #3409.

Heritage Foundation represents a competing conservative personnel pipeline. Rockbridge views Heritage as outdated and aims to replace its ecosystem. Both organizations seek to staff Republican administrations but through different approaches: Rockbridge via elite donor network, Heritage via policy blueprint and mass training Connection #3432.

Teneo Network was co-founded by Vance (with Josh Hawley) and is chaired by Leonard Leo. JD Vance co-founded both Rockbridge and Teneo, and Leo spoke at the April 2024 Rockbridge retreat, serving as the primary node connecting both organizations to the Federalist Society judicial infrastructure and Leo's $1.6 billion donor-advised fund network , according to LittleSis records Connection #3420 Connection #3433 ²⁷.

Claremont Institute provides the ideological foundation that complements Rockbridge's financial operations. Buskirk is a Claremont Publius Fellow, and Ryan P. Williams (Claremont president) sits on the board of the Society for American Civic Renewal. This creates a three-layer structure: Rockbridge supplies concentrated donor money, Claremont supplies the doctrinal framework through which Buskirk and allied thinkers articulate their political vision, and SACR provides ground-level fraternal organization, according to analysis of organizational records and reporting Connection #3434 ¹⁶.

Crosby Ottenhoff Group serves as the shared back-office compliance infrastructure across all Rockbridge PACs. Janna Rutland, a Crosby Ottenhoff employee, treasures 58 or more FEC-registered committees, making her one of the most prolific shared treasurers in the conservative PAC ecosystem, as review of FEC records shows Connection #3451 ¹⁴.

Rockbridge Network

42 nodes · 53 edges · 2-hop

Size = connections · color = relationship · dash = certainty

Scaffolded layout

Documented onlyShow 2-hop

Ctrl/Cmd + scroll to zoom · drag nodes to inspect structureSolid = documented · dashed = inferred · dotted = alleged

All Connections

21 total

Chris Buskirk controls strong

Buskirk is operational leader of Rockbridge Network. Also president of two subsidiaries: Firebrand Action (media arm) and Faithful in Action (church mobilization). Runs day-to-day operations while Vance provides political cover from VP office.

Peter Thiel funds strong

Early financier of Rockbridge Network. Described as puppet master. Mentor and funder of Vance since before 2022 Senate race. Maintains presence at high-dollar retreats. Silicon Valley billionaire and Palantir founder.

Rebekah Mercer funds strong

Major donor to Rockbridge Network. Also co-founder of 1789 Capital (alongside Buskirk and Malik). Attended April 2024 Palm Beach retreat. Traditional conservative donor providing capital and network access.

David Sacks political strong

Speaker and member of Rockbridge Network. Now serves as White House AI and Crypto Czar in Trump administration. PayPal Mafia member. Key bridge between Silicon Valley tech elite and Rockbridge donor infrastructure.

Palmer Luckey political strong

Speaker at Rockbridge Network events. Anduril Industries founder. Defense-tech billionaire. Key bridge between defense-tech sector and Rockbridge donor infrastructure.

Marc Andreessen political strong

Speaker and member of Rockbridge Network. Co-founder of a16z (Andreessen Horowitz). Enthusiastic supporter per reporting. Brings venture capital establishment into Rockbridge orbit.

Donald Trump Jr. political strong

Active facilitator at Rockbridge events. Spoke at April 2024 Palm Beach event. No official government title but assists with appointments and lobbies globally to expand Rockbridge reach. Partner at 1789 Capital (joined 2024). Longtime associate of Chung Yong-jin (Rockbridge Asia head).

Rockbridge Korea subsidiary_of strong

Rockbridge Korea established Sep 2025 in Seoul as think tank. Led by Kim Hae-young (chair), board includes ex-PM Kim Boo-kyum, ex-Finance Min Bahk Jae-wan, Shinsegae chair Chung Yong-jin. First general meeting Sep 24 2025. Part of planned Asia expansion including Taiwan (Richard Tsai) and Japan (Tadashi Maeda) branches.

Omeed Malik funds strong

Backer of Rockbridge Network. Co-founder of 1789 Capital alongside Buskirk and Mercer. Former Democrat turned Trump donor. Business partner of Donald Trump Jr. Described Rockbridge as ideas exchange. Attended since at least 2022 Mar-a-Lago meeting.

Teneo Network political strong

Overlapping conservative personnel pipelines. JD Vance co-founded both. Leonard Leo chairs Teneo and spoke at Rockbridge Apr 2024. Different sector focus: Rockbridge targets government/campaign, Teneo targets culture/media/business.

Claremont Institute political strong

Ideological pipeline: Rockbridge supplies money/infrastructure, Claremont supplies doctrine/intellectual cover. Chris Buskirk is Claremont Publius Fellow and Rockbridge co-founder. Ryan P Williams (Claremont president) sits on SACR board linking all three organizations.

James Blair employment strong

Blair served as Firebrand Action (Rockbridge subsidiary) secretary, resigned to join Trump campaign, became WH Deputy Chief of Staff. Demonstrates direct Rockbridge subsidiary to White House personnel pipeline.

Over the Horizon Action controls strong

Rockbridge Network LLC steers Over the Horizon Action as its primary financial distribution hub

Turnout for America controls strong

Rockbridge Network LLC steers Turnout for America super PAC; Buskirk leads both

Crosby Ottenhoff Group contracts_with strong

All Rockbridge PACs use Crosby Ottenhoff Group for compliance consulting; Janna Rutland (COG employee) serves as treasurer of all Rockbridge PACs

Leonard Leo political medium

Prominent conservative lawyer and Federalist Society chairman. Speaker at Rockbridge April 2024 Palm Beach event. Also chairman of Teneo Network. Represents bridge between Rockbridge and traditional legal conservative infrastructure.

Scott Bessent political medium

Treasury Secretary and Rockbridge Network member. Attended retreats. Per Economy.ac, considered strong contender for next Fed Chair with Trump advisors backing. Demonstrates Rockbridge reach into economic policy.

Teneo Network political medium

Personnel overlap: JD Vance co-founded both Rockbridge Network and Teneo Network (with Josh Hawley). Leonard Leo chairs Teneo and spoke at Rockbridge events. Both aim to build conservative institutional infrastructure but target different domains: Rockbridge focuses on donor/political operations while Teneo targets professional class across law, media, finance, tech.

Ken Howery political medium

Member of Rockbridge Network. Known for working the social scene at Rockbridge gatherings. PayPal Mafia member and former US Ambassador to Sweden under Trump. Founders Fund partner.

Leonard Leo political medium

Speaker at April 2024 retreat, bridge between Rockbridge donors and Teneo talent pipeline

Heritage Foundation political medium

Complementary but competing conservative personnel pipelines. Rockbridge views Heritage as outdated. Both aim to staff Republican administrations but through different approaches: Rockbridge via elite donor network, Heritage via policy blueprint and mass training.

All Findings

37 total

financial (5)

financial high

Rockbridge Network 2024 budget was $70-80M. Primary super PAC 'Turnout for America' (FEC: C00883520) raised $45.67M in 2023-2024 cycle. Top donors: Diane Hendricks ($11M, ABC Supply chair), Kelcy Warren ($7.5M, Energy Transfer Partners), Andrew Beal ($2M, Beal Bank). Spent $14M+ with Patriot Grassroots LLC for field operations. Contributed $1.9M to other committees ($1.7M to American Majority Action, $200K to CatholicVote.org). Firebrand Action (incorporated 2022 Glen Allen VA) handles media/journalism influence arm — $8M committed for media including rapid response, polling, investigative journalism, documentaries, influencer programs.

[ref] FEC:C00883520

financial high

Rockbridge Network budget trajectory: 2021 total approx 15M (3M Transition Project + 8M media + 3.75M litigation). 2022 budget approx 30M. 2024 budget approx 75M. Total member contributions since 2019 exceed 100M. Membership: 125 members in 2023, 150 by Nov 2024, 150-200 overall. Membership tiers: limited partner 100K/year, principal partner 1M. Post-election minimum attendance price raised from 5K to 25K.

[ref] Reuters Aug 2024 NYT Nov 2024 NBC News Apr 2024

financial high

Rockbridge Network financial flow map (FY2024): Over the Horizon Action is the central 501c4 hub — received $20.7M, distributed $6.9M to Better Tomorrow, $2.05M to Faithful in Action, $1.25M to DAFgiving360. Better Tomorrow re-granted to American Encore ($275K), Faithful in Action ($125K), Firebrand Action ($12.5K). Turnout for America super PAC raised $45.67M, disbursed $34.5M including $14M+ to Patriot Grassroots for canvassing and $750K to America 21 PAC.

Hub-and-spoke architecture. OTH Action received $3.6M from Restoration of America, $150K from Purple Action Inc (2023). Better Tomorrow (Richmond VA, EIN 872086524, 2024 rev $7.04M). Faithful in Action (Cheyenne WY, EIN 931558726, received $2.175M total). OTH also sent $1.25M to DAFgiving360/Schwab Charitable (likely Revitalization Partners DAF account). PAC side: Turnout for America (C00883520) raised $45.67M — Diane Hendricks $11M, Kelcy Warren $7.5M, Andrew Beal $2M, Restoration PAC $2.5M. Disbursed $29.1M operating, $2.1M IEs against Harris, $1.7M to American Majority Action, $200K CatholicVote. America 21 PAC (C00804690) received $750K from TFA and $1M from Paul Singer, gave $750K to MAGA KY. Saving Arizona PAC (C00777185, terminated) raised $31.8M (2022) — Peter Thiel $15M, Palmer Luckey $99.75K — spent $25.4M on IEs for Blake Masters, transferred remainder to America 21 PAC.

[ref] CauseIQ Better Tomorrow EIN 872086524

[ref] CauseIQ Faithful in Action EIN 931558726

[ref] FEC C00777185 receipts

+3 more sources

financial high

Buskirk is Founder and CIO of 1789 Capital, anti-ESG venture capital firm co-founded with Omeed Malik (Founder/President) and Rebekah Mercer in Oct 2022. The fund has topped $1B in assets, investing in SpaceX, xAI, and Neuralink. Donald Trump Jr. joined the firm. 1789 Capital emerged from the Rockbridge Network.

[ref] Wikipedia Bloomberg CNBC

financial medium

Buskirk political spending and organizational control: (1) Rockbridge Network co-founder (2019) with JD Vance — membership costs $100K-$1M. (2) 1789 Capital co-founder/CIO (Oct 2022) with Omeed Malik and Rebekah Mercer — crossed $1B AUM 2025. (3) Turnout for America super PAC founder — raised $25M+ in 2024. (4) President of Firebrand Action (Virginia, 2022) — Rockbridge's media/investigative journalism arm. (5) President of Faithful in Action (Wyoming, 2023) — church mobilization. (6) Advisor to Saving Arizona PAC (2021-22, backed Blake Masters, $31.8M raised, $15M from Thiel). (7) Co-owner Executive Branch (Georgetown DC, 2025) — MAGA members club with Trump Jr, Malik, Witkoff brothers. (8) Director, Colombier Acquisition Corp II and III (SPACs). (9) Position at PublicSquare marketplace. FEC donations 2023-24: $110K to Trump 47 Committee, $106.7K to RNC, $5.8K to Blake Masters, $10K to Vance Victory, $5K to JD Vance for Senate.

[ref] FEC filings LittleSis entity 439747 Reuters reporting Rockbridge Network Wikipedia InfluenceWatch

relationship (16)

relationship high

Organizational structure: 8 vehicles including 4 dark-money 501c4s, 2 super PACs, 1 donor-advised 501c3, 1 LLC umbrella

Per LittleSis (sourced from NYT reporting), Rockbridge steers eight vehicles: four dark-money 501(c)(4) organizations, two super PACs (including Turnout for America which raised at least 25M in 2024), a donor-advised 501(c)(3) fund, and the Rockbridge Network LLC umbrella. Membership ranges from 100K limited partner to 1M principal partner. Donors have given more than 100M to Rockbridge projects since 2019. The group claims 3000 field workers deployed during the Trump campaign.

[file] https://littlesis.org/entities/423815-Rockbridge_Network

relationship high

LittleSis maps 25 relationships: speakers include Sacks, Luckey, Andreessen, Carlson, Wynn, Witkoff, Bessent, Gabbard, Masters, Leo, Emmer; members include Winklevoss twins, Howery, Nosek, Coogan; donors include Thiel and Mercer

LittleSis entity 423815 shows 25 relationships. Speakers at Rockbridge events: Steve Witkoff, Tulsi Gabbard, Scott Bessent, David Sacks, Steve Wynn, Blake Masters, Tucker Carlson, Marc Andreessen, Palmer Luckey, Woody Johnson. Participants/members: Cameron Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss, Ken Howery, Luke Nosek, John Coogan. Ned Ryun, Leonard Leo, Tom Emmer, Donald Trump also linked. Donors: Peter Thiel gave money to Rockbridge Network. Rebekah Mercer gave money to Rockbridge Network. Chris Buskirk is founder and head. JD Vance is co-founder. Faithful in Action is a child entity.

[file] https://littlesis.org/entities/423815-Rockbridge_Network

relationship high

Buskirk also owns Executive Branch, a private DC club providing ultra-rich access to Trump Cabinet and inner circle

LittleSis entity 457006 shows Chris Buskirk is an owner of Executive Branch, described as a private DC club for ultra-rich providing access to the Trump Cabinet and inner circle. This represents another layer of the Rockbridge Network influence architecture: the donor network (Rockbridge), the investment arm (1789 Capital), the SPAC vehicle (Colombier), the political action arms (Turnout for America, Faithful in Action), the media arm (American Greatness, Center for American Greatness), and now the social access vehicle (Executive Branch).

[file] https://littlesis.org/entities/457006-Executive_Branch

relationship high

Rockbridge Network is an LLC umbrella steering 8 sub-organizations: 4 dark-money 501(c)(4)s (Better Tomorrow, Over the Horizon, Faithful in Action, plus one unnamed), 2 super PACs (Turnout for America raised $25M+ in 2024, plus one unnamed), 1 donor-advised 501(c)(3) (Revitalization Partners), and a media entity (Firebrand Action). Co-founded 2019 by JD Vance and Chris Buskirk. 150-200 members paying $100K-$1M. Had 3,000 field operatives for Trump 2024. Major donors: Rebekah Mercer, Tyler/Cameron Winklevoss, Peter Thiel. Buskirk is president, Janna Rutland is treasurer. Literature distributed to donors: 'builds lasting political infrastructure' and 'strives to replace the current Republican ecosystem of think tanks, media organizations and activist groups.'

[ref] LittleSis:423815

relationship medium

Rockbridge Network confirmed speakers/attendees include: Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr, Tucker Carlson, Marc Andreessen, Blake Masters, Steve Wynn, David Sacks, Woody Johnson, Scott Bessent, RFK Jr, Tulsi Gabbard, Steve Witkoff, Susie Wiles, Leonard Leo, Palmer Luckey, Russell Brand, Erik Voorhees, Emil Michael, Rebekah Mercer, Tyler/Cameron Winklevoss, Peter Thiel, Kenneth Howery. Spring 2025 gathering featured four sitting Cabinet officials briefing donors: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, HHS Secretary RFK Jr, DNI Tulsi Gabbard, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The network functions as a direct access channel between Silicon Valley/MAGA donors and senior government officials.

[ref] LittleSis:423815 NBC News NYT Wikipedia

relationship medium

Rockbridge Network confirmed members/attendees/speakers mapped to government positions: VP JD Vance (co-founder), WH Chief of Staff Susie Wiles (attendee), Treasury Sec Scott Bessent (member), HHS Sec RFK Jr (speaker Nov 2024, paid 100K by Over the Horizon Action), DNI Tulsi Gabbard (member), SecState Marco Rubio (member per Economy.ac). Campaign officials at events: Chris LaCivita (co-manager), Tony Fabrizio (pollster), Meredith ORourke (fundraising dir). Donald Trump Jr (active facilitator of appointments). This represents extraordinary penetration of the Trump administration by a single donor network.

[ref] NYT Nov 2024 Economy.ac Jun 2025 NBC News Apr 2024

relationship high

Rockbridge Network confirmed Silicon Valley tech members/donors/speakers: Peter Thiel (early financier, mentor to Vance, presence at retreats), David Sacks (speaker/member, now White House AI Czar), Palmer Luckey (speaker, Anduril founder), Marc Andreessen (speaker/member, a16z), Ken Howery (member, works social scene at events), Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss (major donors, 1M Bitcoin donation to Trump), Emil Michael (former Uber exec, attendee Apr 2024), Erik Voorhees (crypto luminary, attendee Apr 2024), Omeed Malik (backer, co-founder 1789 Capital). Elon Musk listed as member per Economy.ac. Blake Masters (backer, Thiel protege).

[ref] Reuters Aug 2024 NYT Nov 2024 NBC News Apr 2024 Economy.ac Jun 2025

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Rockbridge Network traditional conservative donors/attendees: Rebekah Mercer (major donor, co-founder 1789 Capital), Woody Johnson (billionaire, former Trump UK ambassador, attendee Apr 2024), Leonard Leo (prominent conservative lawyer, Federalist Society, speaker Apr 2024). JD Vance also co-founded Teneo Network with Josh Hawley, creating personnel overlap between Rockbridge and Teneo. Buskirk is Claremont Institute Publius Fellow connecting to Claremont intellectual infrastructure.

[ref] NBC News Apr 2024 ProPublica Teneo reporting Wikipedia Chris Buskirk

relationship high

Chris Buskirk is the operational hub connecting Rockbridge Network to multiple conservative institutions: (1) Co-founder/leader of Rockbridge Network with JD Vance; (2) Publisher/founder of American Greatness (est. 2016, conservative publication); (3) Co-founder and CIO of 1789 Capital with Omeed Malik and Rebekah Mercer (est. 2022, anti-ESG VC, crossed 1B AUM Sep 2025); (4) Claremont Institute Publius Fellow (Claremont McKenna College alumnus); (5) President of Firebrand Action (Rockbridge media arm); (6) President of Faithful in Action (Rockbridge church mobilization). 1789 Capital invested 15M in Tucker Carlson media company. James Blair served as Firebrand Action secretary before joining Trump campaign.

[ref] Wikipedia Chris Buskirk Reuters Aug 2024 1789capital.vc

relationship medium

Leonard Leo (Co-Chairman Federalist Society, Chairman Teneo Network) is a confirmed speaker at Rockbridge Network events. This creates a direct bridge between three key conservative infrastructure orgs: Rockbridge (tech donor money → politics), Teneo (conservative talent placement into 'positions of influence'), and the Federalist Society (judicial appointments). Teneo also sits on Project 2025 advisory board. The Mercer family funds both sides: Rebekah Mercer co-founded 1789 Capital with Buskirk, while Mercer Family Foundation invested ~$20M in DonorsTrust which funds Leo's 85 Fund. Janna Rutland serves as treasurer across multiple Rockbridge entities (Firebrand Action, Better Tomorrow) while also treasuring Women for Winning PAC and White Coat Waste PAC — suggesting she is a shared back-office compliance figure.

[ref] LittleSis:423815 NBC News NPR ProPublica

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Rockbridge-to-government appointee pathway tracing (detailed): (1) SUSIE WILES: Headlined Rockbridge Fall Summit Nov 2024 in Las Vegas alongside Chris LaCivita, Meredith ORourke, Tony Fabrizio. Hosted private outdoor dinner for 30 Rockbridge donors. Named WH Chief of Staff same month. Pathway: long-time FL political operative -> Trump 2024 co-campaign manager -> Rockbridge headliner -> Chief of Staff. (2) SCOTT BESSENT: Rockbridge member and speaker (confirmed Apr 2025 Ritz-Carlton Miami). Former Soros Fund Mgmt partner, Key Square Group founder. Pathway: hedge fund world -> Rockbridge donor/speaker -> Treasury Secretary. (3) RFK JR: Spoke at Rockbridge Fall Summit Las Vegas Nov 9 2024, paid 100K by Over the Horizon Action (per financial disclosure). Nominated for HHS weeks later. Pathway: independent candidate -> Trump endorsement Aug 2024 -> transition team co-lead -> Rockbridge paid speaker -> HHS Secretary Feb 2025. (4) DAVID SACKS: Confirmed Rockbridge speaker per LittleSis and multiple sources. PayPal Mafia, Thiel/Vance inner circle since Stanford Review days. Pathway: PayPal/Yammer -> All-In podcast -> Rockbridge speaker -> AI/Crypto Czar Dec 2024. (5) TULSI GABBARD: Rockbridge speaker (Apr 2025 Miami confirmed). Left Democratic Party Oct 2022, joined GOP Oct 2024 at Trump rally, co-led transition team with RFK Jr. Pathway: Democratic congresswoman -> independent -> GOP -> transition co-lead -> Rockbridge orbit -> DNI. (6) MARCO RUBIO: Listed as member per Economy.ac but thin primary-source evidence. FL senator with pre-existing Trump relationship.

[ref] NBC News Nov 2024 ABC News financial disclosure Jan 2025 LittleSis entity 423815 Economy.ac Jun 2025

relationship medium

Rockbridge-Claremont-SACR ideological pipeline: Three-layer structure identified. (1) Rockbridge Network: concentrated donor money and political infrastructure (100M+ since 2019). (2) Claremont Institute: intellectual doctrine and institutional cover, provides regime theory legal arguments for executive power expansion. Ryan P Williams (Claremont president) on SACR board. Buskirk is Claremont Institute Publius Fellow connecting operational and intellectual wings. (3) Society for American Civic Renewal (SACR): Christian nationalist fraternal order, described as militant male-only membership organization. Charles Haywoods foundation funds both Claremont and SACR. This creates a complete pipeline from money (Rockbridge) to ideology (Claremont) to ground-level organization (SACR). James Blair served as Firebrand Action secretary before resigning to join Trump campaign, later became White House Deputy Chief of Staff -- demonstrating the personnel pipeline in action from Rockbridge subsidiary to White House.

[file] Reuters Oct 2024 Firebrand/Blair

[ref] Substack Mansour analysis

[ref] Wikipedia Rockbridge Network

relationship high

Rockbridge Network shared infrastructure: All PACs (Turnout for America, Saving Arizona, America 21) share identical professional services infrastructure — Janna Rutland (Crosby Ottenhoff Group employee) as treasurer, Crosby Ottenhoff Group LLC (Mountain Brook AL) for compliance consulting, Holtzman Vogel PLLC for legal, CMDI for database management, Chain Bridge Bank (McLean VA) for banking. Crosby Ottenhoff is run by Caleb Crosby (former RNC finance director) and Benjamin Ottenhoff (WinRed treasurer). PO Box 9891 Arlington VA 22219 is shared by Over the Horizon Action and Saving Arizona PAC — same PO Box used by WinRed. Rutland treasures 58+ FEC-registered committees across the conservative ecosystem.

Professional service providers create connective tissue across all Rockbridge PACs: (1) Crosby Ottenhoff Group LLC, 421 Office Park Dr Mountain Brook AL 35223 — compliance consulting for all three PACs; Janna Rutland is employee there (email [email protected]); (2) Holtzman Vogel PLLC — legal counsel for all three PACs; (3) CMDI — database management for all three PACs at $250-500/month; (4) Chain Bridge Bank, McLean VA — banking for all PACs, generates interest income. Rutland also treasures White Coat Waste PAC, Schmitt for Senate, Steve Wells for Congress, Women for Winning, Conservative Future Fund, Defending Freedom PAC, Coalition for a Safe America, among 58 total. Shared address PO Box 9891 Arlington VA 22219 links OTH Action and Saving Arizona PAC, and is also WinRed's registered address.

[ref] Crosby Ottenhoff Group website identifying Rutland as employee

[ref] FEC API treasurer search returning 58 committees for Rutland Janna

[ref] FEC disbursement records showing Crosby Ottenhoff payments from all three PACs

relationship medium

SYSTEMIC PATTERN: Rockbridge Network serves as coordinating infrastructure for Silicon Valley defense network's political operations. JD Vance (founder), David Sacks (speaker), Palmer Luckey (speaker). Conservative donor network that bridges tech wealth to political power.

Rockbridge Network is a conservative donor organization founded by JD Vance that serves as a gathering point for Silicon Valley defense-tech aligned donors. LittleSis records show Vance as founder, Sacks and Luckey as speakers. This represents a deliberate organizational vehicle for converting tech wealth into political influence, distinct from ad-hoc individual donations. The network provides a social coordination mechanism that makes the WinRed donation patterns more explicable — these are not independent actors coincidentally supporting the same candidates, but a network with institutional coordination infrastructure.

[ref] LittleSis:252515 LittleSis:117853 LittleSis:158415 analysis-run-13 (Vance-Rockbridge founder) (Sacks-Rockbridge speaker) (Luckey-Rockbridge speaker

relationship high

501(c)(4) GOTV PAC controlled by Rockbridge, claims 160K members; EIN 93-1558726, registered at 2232 Dell Range Blvd Ste 200 Cheyenne WY

Faithful in Action is a get-out-the-vote PAC controlled by the Rockbridge Group per LittleSis. Claims 160K members and organizes small churches with field teams twice weekly. Has no other public presence. LittleSis shows it as a child entity of Rockbridge Network (hierarchical relationship). Registered as 501(c)(4) with EIN 93-1558726 at 2232 Dell Range Blvd Suite 200, Cheyenne WY 82009. No 990 filings available (as a c4, Form 990 filings may be filed but not yet digitized). The Cheyenne WY address is a common registered agent location.

[ref] 990:931558726

[file] https://littlesis.org/entities/451590-Faithful_in_Action

relationship medium

Leonard Leo as bridge between Rockbridge Network and Teneo Network: LittleSis confirms Leo has generic relationship with Rockbridge Network (entity 423815) AND Board Chairman position at Teneo Network (entity 436356). JD Vance is co-founder of both Rockbridge Network (with Chris Buskirk) and co-founder of Teneo Network (with Josh Hawley). Rockbridge is a political donor coordination network (150-200 members, $75M 2024 budget, tech-heavy: Thiel, Sacks, Andreessen, Luckey, Winklevoss twins). Teneo is a talent placement pipeline (under-40 professionals, 20 regional chapters). Leo attended Rockbridge April 2024 Palm Beach retreat as speaker. The two networks serve complementary functions: Rockbridge mobilizes donor capital, Teneo places personnel in institutions. Leo is the primary node connecting both to the Federalist Society judicial pipeline and his $1.6B dark money apparatus.

[file] LittleSis entities 171815/423815/436356 NBC News ProPublica

legal (4)

legal high

Rockbridge Network LLC organizational structure: Delaware LLC (file 5834011, incorporated April 12 2021) steering 8 entities - Better Tomorrow (VA, voter turnout), Over the Horizon Action (Arlington VA, voter turnout 7 swing states), Firebrand Action (Glen Allen VA, inc 2022, journalism), Faithful in Action (Cheyenne WY, inc 2023, church mobilization), Turnout for America (super PAC, raised 25M in 2024), Revitalization Partners (charitable investment). Structure: 4 dark-money 501c4s, 2 super PACs, 1 donor-advised 501c3, umbrella LLC.

[file] Reuters Aug 2024 NYT Nov 2024 OpenCorporates us_de/5834011

legal high

Rockbridge Network complete legal structure: 8 entities mapped. (1) Rockbridge Network LLC (DE file 5834011, umbrella); (2) Over the Horizon Action (501c4, EIN 880696885, Arlington VA, PO Box 9891, est 2022); (3) Better Tomorrow (501c4, EIN 872086524, 100 Shockoe Slip 2nd Fl, Richmond VA 23219, est 2021); (4) Firebrand Action (501c4, EIN 920533628, 4701 Cox Rd Ste 285 Glen Allen VA 23060, est 2022); (5) The Faithful in Action (501c4, EIN 931558726, 2232 Dell Range Blvd Ste 200 Cheyenne WY 82009, est 2023); (6) Turnout for America (super PAC, FEC C00883520, 3301 Richmond Hwy #1008 Alexandria VA 22305, est 2024-07-17); (7) Saving Arizona PAC (super PAC, FEC C00777185, PO Box 9891 Arlington VA 22219, est 2021, terminated); (8) Revitalization Partners (501c3 DAF account, likely held at Schwab Charitable/DAFgiving360). America 21 PAC (C00804690) is a satellite super PAC receiving funds from both Saving Arizona and Turnout for America.

Four 501(c)(4)s: Over the Horizon Action, Better Tomorrow, Firebrand Action, Faithful in Action. Two super PACs: Turnout for America (active, successor) and Saving Arizona PAC (terminated, predecessor). One 501(c)(3) DAF: Revitalization Partners (account at DAFgiving360/Schwab Charitable — OTH Action sent $1.25M there in 2024). One umbrella LLC: Rockbridge Network LLC (Delaware). Key officers: Chris Buskirk (president of Firebrand Action and Faithful in Action, head of Rockbridge Network); James Blair (secretary of Firebrand Action, later Trump campaign manager); Matthew J Peterson (Firebrand Action director, Claremont Institute); Roger Kimball (Rockbridge Network director, New Criterion editor); Ned Ryun (Rockbridge Network director, American Majority founder); Janna Rutland (treasurer of all PACs, employee of Crosby Ottenhoff Group). Hannah Huemme serves as Political Director at Better Tomorrow ($145K compensation). Shared phone: (202) 813-9118 across Better Tomorrow, OTH Action, and Faithful in Action. Firebrand Action uses CT Corporation System as registered agent at 4701 Cox Rd Glen Allen VA.

[ref] CauseIQ organizational profiles

[ref] FEC registration records C00883520 C00777185 C00804690

[ref] LittleSis entity page 423815

+1 more sources

legal high

Center for American Greatness Inc. (EIN 81-4984970) at 3107 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix AZ 85016 is the ONLY Buskirk-affiliated entity where he appears as an officer: President/Director (compensation $128,125 in 2024). Other directors: J. Eric E. Wise (Secretary/Director, King & Spalding restructuring partner), Ned Ryun (Director — also director of Better Tomorrow, the Rockbridge voter mobilization arm). Revenue $1.7M in 2024, 99.8% from contributions. This is the 501(c)(3) research arm, distinct from American Greatness Inc. the publisher.

[ref] ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer EIN 81-4984970 King & Spalding attorney profile InfluenceWatch

legal medium

Buskirk operates through a deliberate opacity architecture: (1) 1789 Foundation/Citizen AG — officers are the Yoder family (Mike founded it, wife Gabrielle is secretary) plus law partners Dreher and Pearson; (2) American Greatness Inc — officers are Ryan/Julie Gibson household plus neighbor Bonnie McQuiston; (3) Rockbridge Network entities — Better Tomorrow has Ned Ryun and Janna Rutland; Faithful in Action in Wyoming; Firebrand Action in Virginia. The ONLY entity where Buskirk appears as a named officer is Center for American Greatness Inc (the 501c3 research arm). He is publicly identified as publisher/CIO/president of multiple entities but absent from all corporate filings. This is a consistent pattern of using proxy officers across at least 2 distinct personal networks (the Gibson cluster and the Yoder cluster) to maintain legal distance.

[ref] FL Sunbiz N22000005670 N11000004422 L06000117683 ProPublica EIN 81-4984970 Democracy Docket Reuters NBC News

intelligence (10)

intelligence high

Rockbridge Network key projects: (1) Rockbridge Transition Project - 3M budget to create government-in-waiting with hand-selected personnel for next Republican administration; (2) Red State Project - 6-8M per state to flip AZ, MI, NV to safe conservative states via centralized organizing force; (3) Media Initiative - 8M for PR, rapid response comms, polling, influencer programs, investigative journalism, documentaries; (4) Strategic Litigation - 3.75M targeting media and adversaries; (5) Voter Registration - registered 125K voters in 2023, ambassador model of 10 new voters per organizer; (6) Church Mobilization via Faithful in Action - 160K members.

[ref] Reuters Aug 2024 leaked documents NBC News Apr 2024

intelligence high

Rockbridge Network event timeline: (1) 2019 founding - informal dinners, first at resort near Rockbridge OH; (2) 2021 first official summit in Arizona; (3) 2022 Mar-a-Lago meeting leading to 1789 Capital founding; (4) April 2024 Palm Beach retreat - Four Seasons and Mar-a-Lago, 250 attendees, Trump video call-in, Trump Jr/Wiles/LaCivita speakers; (5) November 2024 Fall Summit in Las Vegas, post-election, RFK Jr paid 100K to speak, attendance price raised to 25K min; (6) Bi-annual summit model (spring and fall). Field operations deployed 5000 people across 7 swing states for 2024.

[ref] NBC News Apr 2024 NYT Nov 2024 Reuters Aug 2024

intelligence high

Rockbridge Network international expansion into Asia: (1) Rockbridge Korea established Sep 2025 in Seoul as think tank. Chairperson Kim Hae-young (lawyer, ex-Democratic Party lawmaker). Board: former PM Kim Boo-kyum, former Finance Minister Bahk Jae-wan, Shinsegae Group chair Chung Yong-jin. (2) Chung Yong-jin named head of Rockbridge Asia, overseeing regional operations. Met VP Vance at Dec 2025 Christmas dinner. Longtime associate of Trump Jr. (3) Richard Tsai (Fubon Financial Holdings chair) to lead Taiwan branch. (4) Tadashi Maeda (Japan Bank for International Cooperation) to chair Japan branch. (5) Park Byung-eun heads 1789 Partners (Korea-based investment arm linked to Rockbridge/1789 Capital).

[ref] Korea Herald Sep 2025 Korea Herald Jun 2025 KED Global Jun 2025

intelligence high

Rockbridge Network leaked documents analysis: Reuters obtained 3 confidential documents - (1) five-page memo detailing Palm Beach three-day meeting agenda; (2) seven-page prospectus explaining political vision and projects; (3) invitation for private Dallas dinner. 2022 brochure describes group as political venture capital firm that will leverage investors capital with the right political expertise to replace current Republican ecosystem. Rockbridge prospectus details oversight of 5 political groups and a super PAC focused on right-wing investigative reporting, polls, voter turnout in battleground states, and church political activism. Post-election voter database developed through non-political memberships in outdoor groups and churches. Group planning deployment for 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential race.

[ref] Reuters Aug 2024 Washington Post NYT Nov 2024

intelligence medium

Rockbridge Network ideological positioning: Self-described as Trump-aligned alternative to Koch Network for a post-working-class-shift GOP. Buskirk characterizes vision as building productive elite aristocracy rather than extractive elite oligarchy. Policy priorities include crypto deregulation, AI oversight reduction, SEC weakening, nationalism, anti-ESG, anti-DEI. Post-2024 election, roughly 50 percent of new members from tech industry. Group views itself as leading edge of changing Republican Party where tech-populist donors replace traditional 20th-century right/left donors. Vances election as VP described as crowning achievement giving network direct White House access.

[ref] Reuters Aug 2024 thenerdreich.com NBC News Apr 2024

intelligence medium

Rockbridge Transition Project: dedicated $3M budget to 'create a government-in-waiting with the people and the plans to staff the next Republican Administration.' Multiple Rockbridge-associated figures now hold senior administration positions: Susie Wiles (White House Chief of Staff), Tulsi Gabbard (DNI), Scott Bessent (Treasury), Steve Witkoff (Middle East envoy), RFK Jr (HHS). The transition project invests in 'training programs, mentorship networks, and leadership development initiatives.' International expansion: Buskirk visited South Korea Jan 2026 to pledge deeper Korea-US collaboration. Rockbridge spends ~$75M annually on political activities including candidate support, public opinion shaping, and voter outreach.

[ref] LittleSis:423815 RawStory Wikipedia Monitoring Influence

intelligence medium

Rockbridge Transition Project vs Heritage Project 2025 vs Teneo Network: Three parallel conservative personnel pipelines operating with different but complementary functions. (1) Rockbridge Transition Project (3M budget, 2021): tech-populist government-in-waiting identifying/recruiting/training appointees ideologically aligned with Trump-Vance nationalism. Views Heritage as 'outdated, ineffective, or compromised.' (2) Heritage Project 2025: traditional think-tank approach, 45+ organizations, 900-page policy blueprint, formal training videos for appointees. Focus on policy implementation details. (3) Teneo Network (est. 2021 by Leonard Leo): Federalist Society pipeline model expanded beyond judiciary to media, tech, business, sports. Key overlap: JD Vance co-founded both Rockbridge AND Teneo (with Josh Hawley). Leonard Leo chairs Teneo AND spoke at Rockbridge Apr 2024 meeting AND visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago to promote Rockbridge. Chris Buskirk is Claremont Institute Publius Fellow connecting to Claremont intellectual infrastructure. All three networks share the goal of building a conservative talent pipeline but target different sectors: Rockbridge (tech-donor class + campaign operations), Heritage (traditional policy apparatus), Teneo (culture/media/business elite placement).

[ref] Reuters confidential documents NBC News Apr 2024 NPR Leonard Leo Nov 2024 Wikipedia Rockbridge Network

intelligence medium

Red State Project 2024 outcomes: Rockbridge allocated 6-8M per state to flip AZ, MI, NV from battleground to safe conservative. All three flipped to Trump in 2024: AZ by 5.5 points (largest margin of any swing state), NV by 3.1 points, MI by 1.4 points. Trump swept all 7 swing states. Rockbridge deployed approximately 5000 field operatives across 7 swing states via Better Tomorrow and Over the Horizon Action GOTV operations. Buskirks super PAC Turnout for America raised over 25M for 2024 field operations. Voter registration program registered 125K voters in 2023 using ambassador model (10 voters per organizer), targeting doubling for 2024. Voter database built through non-political memberships in outdoor groups and churches. CAUTION: Attribution is difficult -- multiple factors drove 2024 results. Red State Project also targeted state-level infrastructure: voter registration, ballot access litigation, redistricting efforts, cultivation of state-level operatives.

[file] AP/NPR 2024 election results

[ref] NBC News voter registration

[ref] Reuters Aug 2024 confidential documents

intelligence high

Rockbridge Network international expansion beyond Asia (updated intelligence): Rockbridge Korea established Sep 2025 as Seoul think tank. First general meeting Sep 24 2025. Board: former PM Kim Boo-kyum, former Finance Minister Bahk Jae-wan, Shinsegae Group chair Chung Yong-jin (named head of Rockbridge Asia), Richard Tsai (Fubon Financial Holdings Taiwan chair for Taiwan branch), Tadashi Maeda (Japan Bank for International Cooperation to chair Japan branch). Park Byung-eun heads 1789 Partners (Korea investment arm). Japanese political and business leaders expected to join next. Chung Yong-jin met VP Vance at Dec 2025 Christmas dinner. Spotted meeting Donald Trump Jr in Spain. This expansion transforms Rockbridge from domestic donor network into international influence operation. Trump Jr described as instrumental in global expansion despite holding no official government title. The Asia expansion creates direct channels between foreign business elites and the US Vice Presidents office via Rockbridge infrastructure.

[ref] AJU Press Jun 2025

[ref] KED Global Jun 2025

[ref] Korea Herald Jun 2025

+1 more sources

intelligence medium

Rockbridge vs Koch Network strategic positioning: Rockbridge explicitly built as Trump-aligned alternative to Koch Network. Key differences: (1) Koch endorsed Nikki Haley in 2024 primary then sat out general election; Rockbridge all-in for Trump. (2) Koch represents traditional libertarian-conservative donors; Rockbridge represents tech-populist new money (post-2024, roughly 50 percent of new members from tech industry). (3) Koch operates through established institutions (Americans for Prosperity, etc.); Rockbridge aims to replace current Republican ecosystem of think tanks media organizations and activist groups with better alternatives. (4) Koch more transparent due to decades of scrutiny; Rockbridge operates with greater secrecy, no public websites for its subsidiary organizations as of Nov 2025 per WaPo. (5) Scale: Koch network historically moved hundreds of millions per cycle; Rockbridge at 75M for 2024 is smaller but growing rapidly. Rockbridge positions itself as political venture capital -- making concentrated high-conviction bets rather than spreading money across established institutions.

[ref] NBC News Aug 2024

[ref] Reuters Aug 2024

[ref] WaPo Nov 2025

identity (2)

identity medium

No state corporate registration found in any searched jurisdiction

Comprehensive search of FL, NY, CA, DC, and unified registry databases returns zero results for Rockbridge Network as an entity name. LittleSis profile confirms it is structured as an LLC, but incorporation state is unknown. This is investigatively significant -- indicates deliberate opacity through a privacy-friendly jurisdiction.

[ref] FL-SunBiz:0

[ref] registry_search ny_dos 0_results

[ref] registry_search unified 0_results

identity medium

No EDGAR filings, no FARA registration, no lobbying registration, no OpenSanctions listing, no GLEIF LEI for the network itself

Negative result: Rockbridge Network does not appear in SEC EDGAR (0 results), FARA registrations (0 results for registrants or foreign principals), LDA lobbying database (only hit was Rockbridge County VA, unrelated), OpenSanctions (only hits were RockBridge Commercial Bank and an unrelated person), or GLEIF LEI database (only hits were Polish Rockbridge TFI investment funds, unrelated). The organization also has no 990 filing. These negative results confirm the organization operates entirely through the dark-money structure described in its 8-vehicle model.

[ref] EDGAR_search 0_results

[ref] FARA_search 0_results

[ref] LDA_search unrelated

Sources