The "Kill Elon's Twitter" campaign, orchestrated by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), appears to be bankrolled by a global web of 17 dark money funders who use anonymous donations to push a coordinated agenda against free speech on Elon Musk's platform, X.

Quick Summary:

• CCDH's funding comes from 17 funders, many operating through Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), such as Prism the Gift Fund, which obscures donor identities.
• Key funders include Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, and Schwab Charitable Fund, alongside seven anonymous contributors through Prism.
• The UK Foreign Office played a key role in advising the Biden-Harris administration on censorship strategies, marking a global push to curtail free speech under the guise of fighting hate.

In an alarming push against free speech, the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) appears to have received significant funding from a network of 17 dark money organizations, many of which operate through Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs). These financial mechanisms allow donors to contribute anonymously, shielding their identities and intentions while enabling CCDH's aggressive push to target Elon Musk's X platform and shape public discourse.

CCDH lists its funding structure on its website, noting: "Center for Countering Digital Hate (UK) Charitable Fund is a restricted fund operating under the auspices of Prism the Gift Fund, Registered Charity Number: 1099682." This fund facilitates anonymous contributions from a range of sources, many of which are difficult to trace. CCDH openly solicits the public for DAFs on its website here.

UK-based Prism the Gift Fund facilitates anonymous financial contributions, allowing CCDH to receive earmarked donations from seven additional sources, many of which remain obscured from public scrutiny. These hidden funders could potentially direct funds to campaigns that undermine free speech by targeting platforms like X or influencing U.S. policy.

View their charity record here.

The 7 Funders via Prism the Gift Fund

Through Prism the Gift Fund, seven additional UK-based funders contribute anonymously to CCDH:

1. STP Ecclestone Foundation: A private family foundation associated with the Ecclestone family, focusing on various philanthropic initiatives.
2. The Genie Trust: A charitable trust with limited public disclosure, primarily engaged in undisclosed philanthropic activities.
3. Kohn Foundation: Supports scientific research, educational programs, and various cultural projects.
4. Edith and Ferdinand Porjes Charitable Trust: Focuses on humanitarian causes, particularly in supporting vulnerable communities.
5. The Harbour Charitable Trust: Provides grants for healthcare, education, and social welfare projects.
6. The Vail Foundation: Primarily funds environmental conservation and community development initiatives.
7. The David Goldman Foundation: Focuses on supporting arts, education, and cultural initiatives.

These funds, obscured by Prism's DAF structure, can earmark donations for specific campaigns like targeting Musk's platform or influencing U.S. policies regarding free speech.

The Primary 10 Funders of CCDH

As detailed in our original reporting on the 9 Dark Money Funders, and our recent follow on the 10th dark money funder, the Schwab Charitable Trust, these 10 organizations are integral to the Center for Countering Digital Hate's operations.

1. Paul Hamlyn Foundation

• Amount: £100,000 (2021)
• Purpose: Supporting CCDH's digital growth and expanding its reach.

2. Esmee Fairbairn Foundation

• Amount: £213,333 (2021-2023)
• Purpose: Core costs and digital strategy.

3. Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust

• Amount: £53,400 (2020)
• Purpose: Whistleblower portal for social media.

4. Oak Foundation

• Amount: $100,000 (2020)
• Purpose: Combatting digital misinformation on climate change and social justice.

5. Barrow Cadbury Trust

• Amount: Undisclosed
• Purpose: Social justice initiatives.

6. Laura Kinsella Foundation

• Amount: Undisclosed
• Purpose: Mental health and inclusion projects.

7. Pears Foundation

• Amount: £150,000 (2019-2022)
• Purpose: Supporting anti-Semitism initiatives and social equality.

8. Hopewell Foundation

• Amount: $15,000 (2021)
• Purpose: Progressive social causes.

9. Unbound Philanthropy

• Amount: Undisclosed
• Purpose: Advocacy for immigration and social justice.

10. Schwab Charitable Fund

• Amount: Undisclosed (2024)
• Purpose: Facilitating anonymous donations through DAFs.

The involvement of UK-based charities, such as those funded through Prism the Gift Fund, raises significant concerns about undue influence in U.S. affairs. These organizations, while operating under the banner of philanthropy, are funneling dark money into the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), which has launched targeted campaigns against free speech platforms like Elon Musk's X. The anonymity provided by Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) allows these donors to shape U.S. discourse, potentially undermining constitutional freedoms and influencing domestic policies without transparency or accountability. Indeed, the Trump campaign filed an offiicial complaint with the FEC against the British government on Oct. 21st due to their clear interference in US elections.

UK Foreign Office's Role in Global Censorship

According to CDC internal documents obtained by America First Legal, the UK Foreign Office was instrumental in providing the Biden-Harris administration with a masterclass in censorship in August 2021. This meeting, involving 20 bilateral organizations and 5-Eyes nations, was part of a broader international effort to curb free speech under the guise of regulating online hate.

This global effort utilizes organizations like CCDH to enforce speech restrictions, making platforms like X primary targets for deplatforming. The 17 funders behind CCDH form a dark money network that collaborates with international governments to suppress dissent and influence public discourse.

Global Influence and Erosion of U.S. Civil Liberties

By using Prism's DAF system, foreign donors and U.S. contributors alike can shape domestic policy in the U.S., undermining constitutional rights to free speech. This funding model enables donors to remain anonymous while wielding influence over legislation and digital platforms. As Elon Musk seeks to protect freedom of expression on X, CCDH's funders are pushing to discredit and deplatform him.

Conclusion: A Call for Transparency

The dark money network backing CCDH is part of a coordinated effort to silence free speech under the guise of combating disinformation. The use of DAFs and international coordination allows funders to avoid accountability while influencing U.S. policy. To safeguard civil liberties, the public must demand transparency from organizations like CCDH and their financial backers.

References

1. "9 Dark Money Sources Funding CCDH: A Foreign 'Digital Hate' Group Which Used the White House to Quash Free Speech" Published on: July 31, 2023 Link

2. "America First Legal Obtains New Internal CDC Documents Revealing Foreign Collusion to Suppress Free Speech" Published on: October 22, 2024 Link

3. "Kill Musk's Twitter: Breaking Down Key Figures Behind CCDH's Global Plot to Destroy X" Published on: October 23, 2024 Link