David and Charles Koch, better known as the “Koch brothers,” are important figures among the Republicans and one of Mitt Romney’s most important campaign donators. Because of their support to the Republicans, they have received a lot of criticism; one of the latest comes from Hollywood. The comedy ‘The Campaign’ features two wealthy donors called the “Motch brothers,” which is a clear reference to the co-owners of the energy giant Koch industries, who try to manipulate political campaigns.

‘The Campaign’ protagonists are Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, who is well known for playing Alan in ‘The Hangover’ movies. Galifiankis told the New York Daily News that it was obvious that the “Motch brothers” were made after David and Charles Koch. ‘The Hangover’ actor added that he disagrees with everything the Koch brothers do. He even called the Koch brother “creepy” and said “it is not freedom what they are doing.” 

In the movie the “Motch brothers” are played by Dan Aykroyd and John Lithgow. They are financially backing the ridiculous candidate Marty Huggins, who is played by Galifianakis.

David and Charles Koch have an estimated combined fortune of $50 billion. They are the owners of Koch Industries, the second largest privately owned company in the United States. They have donated an estimated amount of $100 million to Romney’s campaign. They recently hosted a fundraiser for Mitt Romney in Southampton, New York, in which the suggested contribution was $75,000 per couple. This caused a protest lead by Kean University professor Stuart Leonard Led, in which banners with phrases like “Your $50,000 ticket equals my child’s education,” were shown.

Galifianakis, whose uncle was a Democratic congressman for North Carolina from 1967 to 1973, thinks that, as a comedian, he has the right to criticize the political system. He stated: ”everyone can agree that there are a lot of outside influences in American politics that are not good for the system. There’s just too much money,” Galifianakis also added that ”the comedians are the first to rebel against a corrupt system, like the one that is preventing me from watching the Olympics right now.”

The Koch brothers reaction was quickly heard. One of their spokesmen released a statement to remove importance from Galifianakis’ declarations, ridiculing him:

“Last we checked, the movie is a comedy. Maybe more to the point is that it’s laughable to take political guidance or moral instruction from a guy who makes obscene gestures with a monkey on a bus in Bangkok,” said the Koch brother’s spokesman, Phillip Ellender.

A recent post on Obama’s official website also makes reference to the Koch brothers. It quotes Obama’s campaign donor, Daryl, who is a salesman from Pennsylvania, stating: “I donated in 2008, and now I’m back at it. I certainly can’t compete with the Koch Brothers or the other billionaires on Mitt Romney’s side, but I can do a little bit.”

Image Courtesy of  Twistie.man

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About the author

Gerardo Jose Torres Montalvo
Student of Philosophy and Journalism in Universidad de Navarra, Spain. Interested in world politics, especially in Latin American issue and in political philosophy. I was born in the United States, but raised in El Salvador.