(Photo by Nicholas kamm for AFP)
Appearing on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” to promote his latest book, longtime political observer and author Joe Conason accused Donald Trump of bilking his MAGA followers out of millions for an election integrity project that never got off the ground. Speaking with hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski about his new book, The Longest Con: How Grifters, Swindlers, and Frauds Hijacked American Conservatism, Conason made the case that the former president is deeply involved in grifting.
“So the book sort of tells a story of how conservatives got to the point where they are milking their own constituents for every penny they can squeeze out of them on false pretenses in almost every case,” Conason explained.
He continued, “The epitome of this, of course, is the former president, who booked a quarter of a billion dollars after the 2020 election by telling people he was going to set up an official election defense fund. And, of course, the money didn’t go to that, but they pulled in hundreds of millions of dollars in two months after the election, and it ended up in a super PAC that he controls and that he can spend on anything, including, of course, his legal defense, not election defense, his legal defense, his personal legal defense.”
Conason emphasized that this issue is not unique to Trump but is part of a broader problem within the conservative movement. “This is a syndrome, a problem on the right that a lot of conservatives have discussed,” he added. “You know the foreword to the book is by my friend George Conway, who I think you guys know. He is an honest conservative. Like many honest conservatives, he is appalled by the dishonesty, the grifting, the scamming that is just rampant in their movement now.”
Conason’s book delves into how figures within American conservatism have manipulated their supporters for financial gain, painting a picture of widespread deceit. His appearance on “Morning Joe” highlighted the severity of these allegations, particularly focusing on Trump’s post-election fundraising efforts.
As Conason elaborated on the mechanics of the alleged scam, he underscored the impact on everyday supporters who were led to believe their contributions would fund election integrity. Instead, these funds were reportedly diverted to purposes far removed from their intended use.
The discussion on “Morning Joe” underscores a critical examination of how political figures exploit trust and loyalty for personal and financial gain. Conason’s book aims to shed light on these practices, urging a reevaluation of the ethical standards within the conservative movement. As the book hits the shelves, it is poised to spark significant debate and reflection on the integrity of political fundraising and the accountability of those who seek public support.
