As the coronavirus pandemic wreaks havoc on the U.S. economy and health care system, one D.C.-based think tank is using the virus to fundraise for its anti-Trump advocacy.
The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, an isolationist group funded by billionaire donors Charles Koch and George Soros, is asking for contributions on Giving Tuesday, a day meant to raise funds for American health care workers and others serving on the front lines of the coronavirus battle.
"Trillions of dollars towards global military domination. But a virus has done more damage to America than 9/11," Quincy tweeted Monday evening. "Help us lead the fight to establish a foreign policy that meets the challenges of this century."
In an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by #COVID19, Tuesday 5/5 is #GivingTuesdayNow. We hope you will consider a gift to @QuincyInst. Please donate tomorrow at https://t.co/1jjEhFcwNL pic.twitter.com/M2Jj2RXcWy
— Quincy Institute (@QuincyInst) May 5, 2020
Since its founding last year, the Quincy Institute has emerged as a chief opponent of the Trump administration's "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran, arguing that economic and military action against Tehran will not stop its global support for terrorism. The organization has also faced criticism for hiring several anti-Israel voices, some of whom have accused conservative Jewish Americans of manipulating American foreign policy to benefit Israel.
The organization's plea for cash did not sit well with some Twitter users.
"This is rather outrageous," wrote one observer. Giving Tuesday "is meant to benefit those directly concerned [with] CoV19: healthcare workers or those facing job loss eg, and ideally LOCALLY as the initiators underline. [Quincy] doesn't qualify in any way or form. This is stealing from the needy."