Meet Tim Dunn: the ultraconservative billionaire pastor spending millions to protect his oil – and elect Trump

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the political influence and conservative Christian ideology of Tim Dunn, a billionaire oilman from West Texas. It explores how Dunn has used his wealth to shape the political landscape in Texas and now aims to exert influence at the federal level, particularly through his support for former President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Money, Control, and Perspective

1. What are the three things that Dunn believes each person is in control of, according to the article?

• Who or what you trust or depend on
• Your perspective on things
• What you do

2. How does Dunn view the role of money in relation to control? Dunn believes that money only makes it "easier to perpetuate the illusion of control", and that true control comes from the three factors mentioned above.

[02] Dunn's Political Influence and Ideology

1. What are some of the ways Dunn has used his wealth to influence politics in Texas?

• Pouring approximately $30 million into driving the state's legislature to the far right over the past two decades
• Establishing himself as the eighth-largest contributor to Donald Trump's 2024 re-election campaign with a $5 million donation
• Funding far-right think tanks and policy groups, such as the Center for Renewing America, America First Legal, and the Texas Public Policy Foundation

2. How does Dunn's political ideology and Christian beliefs intersect? Dunn explicitly sees his political activity as an extension of his Christianity. His "flavor of rightwing ideology" is tied to his West Texas oilfield origin story, which has led him to "internalize a politics of religiosity" that is fiercely libertarian and focused on protecting his "whole way of life" and the fossil fuel industry.

3. What are some of the key social and political issues that Dunn has focused on through his political funding and influence?

• Undercutting public education and funding religious schools with taxpayer money
• Attacking access to abortion and gender-affirming care
• Promoting conservative Christian values and opposing what he sees as the "spirit of the age" of Marxism

[03] Dunn's Influence on Trump's 2024 Campaign

1. How does Dunn's support for Trump's 2024 campaign differ from his previous support? Dunn made no public contributions to Trump in 2016, instead supporting Senator Ted Cruz's run. In 2020, he gave Trump $500,000, but in 2023 he donated $5 million to Trump's re-election campaign, making him the eighth-largest contributor.

2. What are some of the potential reasons why Dunn, an ultraconservative, would support Trump, despite the former president's more moderate stances on some issues? The article suggests that Dunn may be playing a "long game", trying to use Trump to help him move "public money into the investor class" and protect the energy sector, which is the source of his wealth and influence.