Money and misinformation: how Turning Point USA became a formidable pro-Trump force

The rightwing group outgrew its origins on campuses to hobnob with Republican operatives and donors - despite some discomfort in the party

The powerful conservative youth group Turning Point USA, which has forged strong ties to Donald Trump and his son Don Trump Jr, has raised tens of millions of dollars from super rich donors and secret backers while pushing disinformation about Joe Biden's win in 2020, Covid-19 vaccines and other extremist and rightwing issues.

The group is campaigning on college campuses across the US, as well as expanding into rightist media and faith activities and - through its campaign arm - is getting directly involved with elections, where it often supports pro-Trump and conservative candidates.