Here’s a good lesson in modern-day GOP politics: Don’t mess with mega billionaires.
House Freedom Action, the political arm associated with the House Freedom Caucus, started running ads and a post on X on Sept. 26, accusing billionaires Ken Griffin of Citadel and Paul Singer of Elliott Management of spending money to defeat Jody Barrett.
Barrett is the HFC’s pick in a Tennessee special election to replace former GOP Rep. Mark Green.
The only problem? Griffin and Singer weren’t involved in the race. Conservatives for American Excellence, a super PAC, was boosting Matt Van Epps. Singer and Griffin had been donors to the PAC, but Griffin hadn’t donated since January 2024 and Singer gave earlier this year.
Griffin and Singer were on the sidelines of the Tennessee primary.
“They were planning to stay out of the race until they were attacked,” a person involved in their spending decisions said. “That was a declaration of war.”
Three days later, American Patriots PAC — backed by Singer and Griffin — put $300,000 into the race, supporting Matt Van Epps. President Donald Trump also endorsed Van Epps down the stretch.
Here’s the real kicker: Barrett, House Freedom Action’s candidate, led in late September. Fabrizio, Lee and Associates had polling with Barrett up 23%-18% over Van Epps.
