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{{short description| |
{{short description|Former president, CEO and chairman of Overstock.com}} | ||
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{{Infobox person | {{Infobox person | ||
| name = Patrick |
| name = Patrick Byrne | ||
| image = | | image = Patrick Byrne - 53069466573 (cropped).jpg | ||
| |
| caption = Byrne in 2023 | ||
| caption = | |||
| birth_name = Patrick Michael Byrne | | birth_name = Patrick Michael Byrne | ||
| birth_date = {{ |
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|11|29}} | ||
| birth_place = ], |
| birth_place = ], U.S. | ||
⚫ | | education = ] (])<br>] (])<br>] (]) | ||
| spouse = | |||
| |
| known_for = Former Chairman and CEO of ] | ||
⚫ | | relatives = ] (father)<ref name="Deseret News: Byrne foresees more economic woes">{{cite web |url=https://www.deseret.com/2008/8/5/20267574/byrne-foresees-more-economic-woes |title=Byrne foresees more economic woes |website=Deseret News |date=August 5, 2008 |accessdate=August 15, 2019 |publisher=]}}</ref> | ||
| title = CEO and Founder of The America Project | |||
| website = {{URL|patrickbyrne.com}} | |||
| nationality = American | |||
⚫ | | |
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| known_for = Former CEO and Chairman,<br>]<br> | |||
| occupation = Businessperson | |||
| awards = | |||
⚫ | | |
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| boards = | |||
| signature = | |||
| website = | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Patrick Michael Byrne''' (born November 29, 1962) is an American businessman, promoter of ], and libertarian noted for his views on ] and ].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5660763/overstock-patrick-byrne-jonathan-johnson/|title=Interim Overstock CEO Talks to TIME About Future After Scandal- And Patrick Byrne|first=Tara|last=Law|date=August 24, 2019|magazine=TIME}}</ref><ref name="Kolhatkar"/> | |||
In 1999, Byrne launched ] after leading two smaller companies. Byrne led Overstock as ] for two decades, from 1999 to 2019. In 2002, Byrne took Overstock ] using the ] method, which was then novel.<ref name="wired2014"/> | |||
Early in his Overstock tenure, Byrne attracted public attention for a long-running legal battle against ]. Later, he resigned as CEO in August 2019, following revelations that he had been in an intimate relationship with Russian agent (and later politician) ]. | |||
He then resigned as CEO in August 2019, following revelations that he had been in an intimate relationship with Russian spy ]. Over time, Byrne emerged as a leading figure in promoting "]" ]; in 2020 and 2021, he promoted ]'s false claims that the ], in which Trump was defeated, was rigged. | |||
Since then Byrne has emerged as a leading figure in promoting ], including the "]" conspiracy theory. In 2020 and 2021, he repeatedly promoted unevidenced claims that ] had lost the ] due to voter fraud. He has also toured the United States in order to provide anti-vaccination stump speeches for ]. He became notable for distributing and selling ] on various subject matters via websites, social media, books, and film. | |||
⚫ | ==Early |
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⚫ | Byrne was born |
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==Early life and education== | |||
⚫ | Byrne was born on November 29, 1962, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.<ref name="Kolhatkar">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/12/14/a-tycoons-deep-state-conspiracy-dive|title=A Tycoon's Deep-State Conspiracy Dive|author=Sheelah Kolhatkar|date=December 7, 2020|magazine=]|access-date=January 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3916419/|website=IMDB|title=Patrick Byrne|access-date=January 15, 2022}}</ref> He grew up in ] and ].<ref name = bio>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/oct2002/tc2002101_2689.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021202222421/http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/oct2002/tc2002101_2689.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2002-12-02|title=Patrick Byrne: Off-Price Power|work=Business Week|date=October 1, 2002}}</ref> He is the son of ], former chairman of ]'s ] insurance subsidiary and ].<ref name = bio/> | ||
Byrne holds a |
Byrne holds a bachelor's degree with dual majors in ] and ], from ], a master's degree from ] as a ], and a Ph.D. in philosophy from ].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.informationweek.com/it-leadership/innovation-mandate-patrick-byrne-lays-it-on-the-line | title=Innovation Mandate: Patrick Byrne Lays It on the Line | InformationWeek }}</ref><ref name="byrnethesis">{{cite thesis |title=Jealousy and confidence: an essay on the limits of authority |url=https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/3409449 |website=Stanford Libraries |year=1996 |publisher=Stanford University |access-date=16 August 2019|last1=Byrne |first1=Patrick Michael }}</ref> | ||
==Business career== | |||
⚫ | Byrne was a ] at Stanford University from 1989 to 1991 |
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⚫ | ===Early business career=== | ||
⚫ | While Byrne was a ] at ] from 1989 to 1991, he was manager of Blackhawk Investment Co. and Elissar, Inc.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mises.org/profile/patrick-m-byrne | title=Patrick M. Byrne | date=24 May 2018 }}</ref> He was ], ], ] of Centricut, LLC, a manufacturer of industrial torches from 1994 to 1997.<ref name = bio/> From 1997 to 1998, he held the same three positions at Fechheimer Brothers, Inc., a ] company that manufactured uniforms for the police, firefighters, and the military.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/finance/mktguideapps/personinfo/FromPersonIdPersonTearsheet.jhtml?passedPersonId=923544|title=Patrick Byrne biography|website=]|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603065715/http://www.forbes.com/finance/mktguideapps/personinfo/FromPersonIdPersonTearsheet.jhtml?passedPersonId=923544|archive-date=3 June 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1321013|title=Overstock.com CEO Patrick Byrne|work=The Motley Fool|publisher=NPR|date=July 4, 2003}}</ref> His father was a friend of ], the leader of Berkshire Hathaway.<ref name = bio/> | ||
==Overstock.com== | ===Overstock.com=== | ||
⚫ | ====Career and tenure as CEO==== | ||
{{Main|Overstock.com}} | |||
⚫ | In 1999, after leading two smaller companies, including operating a set of Berkshire Hathaway's domestic companies,<ref name="JAME">, by Duan, Jason, Bachelor, John A III. ''Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship'', January 2006</ref> Byrne was approached by the founder of D2-Discounts Direct with a request for operating capital. The company had generated slightly more than $500,000 in revenue the previous year by liquidating excess furniture inventory online, but was out of capital and shutting its doors. Byrne found the idea of online ] intriguing, and in the spring of 1999 invested $7 million for a 60 percent ] in the company. In September the same year he took over as CEO, and the following month the company was renamed Overstock.com.<ref> by Jeffrey Covell, in International Directory of Company Histories, Volume 75 (2004)</ref><ref> by Nicholas Stein, February 7, 2000, '']''</ref> | ||
⚫ | ===Career and tenure as CEO=== | ||
⚫ | In 1999, after leading two smaller companies,<ref name="JAME">, by Duan, Jason, Bachelor, John A III. ''Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship'', January 2006</ref> Byrne was approached by the founder of D2-Discounts Direct with a request for operating capital. The company had generated slightly more than $500,000 in revenue the previous year by liquidating excess inventory online. Byrne found the idea of online ] intriguing, and invested $7 million for a 60 percent ] in the company |
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Byrne initiated |
Byrne initiated an ] of Overstock.com in 2002,<ref name=Debter>Lauren Debter, , ''Forbes'' (August 22, 2019).</ref> becoming one of the first companies to go public under the "]" method, a system advanced by ] to retain a greater share of capital within the company rather than going to the investment bank ] used in conventional public offerings. Byrne has said that competing banks reacted against this, attempting to obstruct the success of the offering through negative reports and by shorting the company's stock.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/insights/2004/05/10/cx_aw_0510mondaymatchup.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040604150449/http://www.forbes.com/insights/2004/05/10/cx_aw_0510mondaymatchup.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 4, 2004|title=IPO Dutch Auctions Vs. Traditional Allocation|first=Ari|last=Weinberg|website=]|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> When ] later in 2004 went public via a Dutch auction IPO, Byrne commented that Wall Street firms similarly pushed negative stories, but did not keep it from going forward successfully.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/|title=Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis|newspaper=]|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> Four years after the OpenIPO, one official of Hambrecht, its now former co-CEO Clay Corbus was added to Overstock's board of directors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.internetretailer.com/internet/marketing-conference/212559521-overstockcom-elects-clay-corbus-hambrechts-co-ceo-board.html|title=E-Commerce – Online Retailing – Top 500 – Online Sales|website=Internet Retailer|access-date=17 August 2018|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623105509/http://www.internetretailer.com/internet/marketing-conference/212559521-overstockcom-elects-clay-corbus-hambrechts-co-ceo-board.html}}</ref> As a part of his role, Byrne advocated for the use of ] technology, including cryptocurrencies such as ].<ref name="wired2014">{{Cite web|title = Meet Patrick Byrne: Bitcoin Messiah, CEO of Overstock, Scourge of Wall Street|url = https://www.wired.com/2014/02/rise-fall-rise-patrick-byrne/|access-date = 2015-10-06|website = ]|date = 2014}}</ref> | ||
Overstock employees, as well as Byrne's father, believed that Byrne's long-running campaign against short sellers, which began in 2005, distracted him from Overstock's core business.<ref name=Debter/> The company had losses in some years, and modest profits in others.<ref name=Debter/> Byrne's tenure was marked by a series of initiatives that were rolled out with much enthusiasm, but that were later abandoned or had disappointing outcomes. In 2004, Overstock spent several million dollars to establish an online auction platform to compete with ], but the project was not successful and shut down in 2011.<ref name=Debter/> The company also launched, and then later closed, projects in real estate, travel booking, and auto sales.<ref name=Debter/> He took an indefinite leave of absence from Overstock.com in April 2016 because of ] complications,<ref name="CNN, 2016">{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/04/11/technology/overstock-ceo-patrick-byrne/|title=Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne takes indefinite leave of absence over Hepatitis C complications|date=April 11, 2016|last=Goldman|first=David|work=]}}</ref> and he returned in July 2016 as CEO after his recovery.<ref name="Internet Retailer, 2016">{{cite news|url=https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2016/07/27/overstock-founder-patrick-byrne-returns-ceo/|title=Overstock founder Patrick Byrne returns as CEO|date=July 27, 2016|last=Berthene|first=April|work=Internet Retailer}}</ref> The company increasingly lost ground to other ] retailers, especially ] and ]; by the time of his resignation in 2019, Byrne had largely given up trying to compete with these larger rivals; he led, beginning in 2017, unsuccessful attempts to find a buyer for Overstock's retail business.<ref name=Debter/> In the late 2010s, Overstock built a new $100 million headquarters at the base of Utah's ], although several rounds of layoffs had left part of the complex empty.<ref name=Debter/> |
Some Overstock employees, as well as Byrne's father, initially believed that Byrne's long-running campaign against short sellers, which began in 2005, distracted him from Overstock's core business.<ref name=Debter/> The company had losses in some years, and modest profits in others.<ref name=Debter/> Byrne's tenure was marked by a series of initiatives that were rolled out with much enthusiasm, but that were later abandoned or had disappointing outcomes. In 2004, Overstock spent several million dollars to establish an online auction platform to compete with ], but the project was not successful and shut down in 2011.<ref name=Debter/> The company also launched, and then later closed, projects in real estate, travel booking, and auto sales.<ref name=Debter/> He took an indefinite leave of absence from Overstock.com in April 2016 because of ] complications,<ref name="CNN, 2016">{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/04/11/technology/overstock-ceo-patrick-byrne/|title=Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne takes indefinite leave of absence over Hepatitis C complications|date=April 11, 2016|last=Goldman|first=David|work=]}}</ref> and he returned in July 2016 as CEO after his recovery.<ref name="Internet Retailer, 2016">{{cite news|url=https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2016/07/27/overstock-founder-patrick-byrne-returns-ceo/|title=Overstock founder Patrick Byrne returns as CEO|date=July 27, 2016|last=Berthene|first=April|work=Internet Retailer}}</ref> The company increasingly lost ground to other ] retailers, especially ] and ]; by the time of his resignation in 2019, Byrne had largely given up trying to compete with these larger rivals; he led, beginning in 2017, unsuccessful attempts to find a buyer for Overstock's retail business.<ref name=Debter/> In the late 2010s, Overstock built a new $100 million headquarters at the base of Utah's ], although several rounds of layoffs had left part of the complex empty.<ref name=Debter/> | ||
In 2013, Byrne began to invest in ] and |
In 2013, Byrne began to invest in ] and blockchain, and Overstock became the first major retailer to accept ] as a form of payment. Byrne shifted some of Overstock's balance sheet to support Tzero, a new digital stock exchange billed as a "blockchain version of ]; Tzero's ] in 2018. In 2022, ] acquired a minority stake in tZERO.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ir.theice.com/press/news-details/2022/Intercontinental-Exchange-Announces-Strategic-Investment-in-tZERO-Group-Inc/default.aspx|title=Intercontinental Exchange - Intercontinental Exchange Announces Strategic Investment in tZERO Group, Inc.}}</ref> | ||
As Byrne's focus on the technology intensified in 2017 and 2018, Overstock incurred significant losses—$316 million over two years, more than twice the profits ever made by the company.<ref name=Debter/> | |||
⚫ | ===Campaign against naked shorting and analysts=== | ||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | ====Campaign against naked shorting and analysts==== | ||
⚫ | In 2005, Overstock.com sued hedge fund ] and the ] firm |
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In a conference call with analysts in August 2005, Byrne said that "there's been a plan since we were in our teens to destroy our stock, drive it down to $6–$10 ... and even a plan for how the company would then get whacked up." He said that the conspirators were part of a "Miscreants Ball," headed by a "Sith Lord," whom he identified only as "he's one of the master criminals from the 1980s." (but identified in an interview two weeks later as ]).<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2014/02/rise-fall-rise-patrick-byrne/|title=Meet Patrick Byrne: Bitcoin Messiah, CEO of Overstock, Scourge of Wall Street|first=Cade|last=Metz|magazine=Wired |via=www.wired.com}}</ref> Byrne said the conspiracy included hedge funds, journalists, investigators, trial lawyers, the SEC, and ]. | |||
⚫ | In 2005, Overstock.com sued hedge fund ] and the ] firm Gradient Analytics (formerly Camelback Research Alliance) in California, alleging they illegally colluded in short-selling the company while paying for negative reports to drive down share prices.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov/search/case/mainCaseScreen.cfm?dist=1&doc_id=65285&div=4&doc_no=A113397|title=California Courts - Appellate Court Case Information|website=Appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> Gradient countersued Overstock for libel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN1544393520080415|title=UPDATE 2-US research firm countersues Web retailer Overstock|website=] |date=15 April 2008|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> A portion of this suit was settled out of court in 2008; Overstock and Gradient dropped their claims against each other after Gradient retracted allegations that Overstock's reporting methods did not comply with rules established by the ], stated they believed Overstock.com complied with ] standards, and that three directors were independent, and apologized.<ref name=reut1008>{{Cite news|title=Overstock says settled claims against Gradient |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSN1346384320081013 |work=] |date=2008-10-13 |access-date=2008-10-17 | first=Alexandria | last=Sage}}</ref><ref name=slct1008>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_10713775|title=Overstock.com settles suit with research firm|first=Paul|last=Beebe|work=]|date=2008-10-13|access-date=2008-10-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017114726/http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_10713775|archive-date=2008-10-17}}</ref> In December 2009, the suit against Rocker, whose name had since been changed to Copper River Partners, was settled by Copper River paying $5 million.<ref name='Reuters-settle'>{{Cite news| title=Overstock says it settles with hedge fund | date=2008-12-08 |url =https://www.reuters.com/article/idCNN0821943720091208?rpc=44 | website=] | access-date = 2009-12-09 }}</ref> | ||
⚫ | In 2007, Overstock filed a second lawsuit against a number of large investment banks, alleging that the brokers engaged in illegal naked short selling. The long-running litigation ended in 2016. Overstock's claims against ] were dismissed, but the other brokers, such as ], settled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/2007/2/3/19999872/overstock-sues-brokers|title=Overstock sues brokers|date=3 February 2007|website=]|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/overstock-reaches-settlement-with-merrill-lynch-1454101005|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|title=Overstock Reaches Settlement With Merrill Lynch|author=Josh Beckerman|date=January 29, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.furnituretoday.com/business-news/overstockcom-settles-lawsuit-against-merrill-lynch-20-million/|title=Overstock.com settles lawsuit against Merrill Lynch for $20 million|work=Furniture Today|author=Larry Thomas|date=January 29, 2016}}</ref> |
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⚫ | In 2007, Overstock filed a second lawsuit against a number of large investment banks, alleging that the brokers engaged in illegal naked short selling. The long-running litigation ended in 2016. Overstock's claims against ] were dismissed, but the other brokers, such as ], settled for $20 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/2007/2/3/19999872/overstock-sues-brokers|title=Overstock sues brokers|date=3 February 2007|website=]|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/overstock-reaches-settlement-with-merrill-lynch-1454101005|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|title=Overstock Reaches Settlement With Merrill Lynch|author=Josh Beckerman|date=January 29, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.furnituretoday.com/business-news/overstockcom-settles-lawsuit-against-merrill-lynch-20-million/|title=Overstock.com settles lawsuit against Merrill Lynch for $20 million|work=Furniture Today|author=Larry Thomas|date=January 29, 2016}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | Byrne's campaign against naked short selling and others who he feels targeted him and his company attracted both controversy and praise.<ref>Steven Oberbeck, , ''Salt Lake Tribune'' (August 2, 2008).</ref> In addition to criticizing ]s and ]s as corrupt, Byrne also criticized the press as corrupt and unable to understand the |
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⚫ | '']'' writer ] said that Byrne had become a "hero to those who believe that short-sellers are the operators of Wall Street's ultimate black box, predators who destroy companies through innuendo, bullying, political connections—and sometimes through an illegal practice known as 'naked shorting.'" Byrne financed and wrote a full-page advertisement in '']'' which said "] ... is literally stealing money from the widows, retirees, and other small investors."<ref name=PhantomMenace>{{Cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2005/11/14/8360711/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606065030/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2005/11/14/8360711/|url-status=dead|title=Phantom Menace |date=November 14, 2005|archive-date=June 6, 2011|website=money.cnn.com}}</ref> In a letter to '']'' in April 2006, Byrne contended that "blackguards have practiced 'failure to deliver'" of securities, were "destroying businesses and (probably) destabilizing our capital markets."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB114558723216732121|title=Here's the Naked Truth About Overstock.com|date=21 April 2006|website=]|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref><ref> March 6, 2006</ref> Between 2005 and 2007, Overstock filed two lawsuits relating to the matters under Byrne's direction.<ref> March 28, 2007</ref> After her article appeared in 2005, McLean was attacked by Byrne with such vehemence that she ceased covering him.<ref name="CJR">{{cite news|last1=Colhoun|first1=Damaris|title=The shadowy war on the press: How the rich silence journalists|url=https://www.cjr.org/analysis/shadowy_war.php|access-date=27 August 2017|work=Columbia Journalism Review|language=en}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | Byrne's campaign against naked short selling and others who he feels targeted him and his company attracted both controversy and praise.<ref>Steven Oberbeck, , ''Salt Lake Tribune'' (August 2, 2008).</ref> In addition to criticizing ]s and ]s as corrupt, Byrne also criticized the press as corrupt and unable to understand the financial and ], and complained that the mainstream media had "demonized" him.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leonard |first1=Wendy |title=Media fueling corruption on Wall Street? |url=https://www.deseret.com/2008/3/7/20075024/media-fueling-corruption-on-wall-street|access-date=10 November 2020 |work=] |date=7 March 2008 |language=en}}</ref> | ||
====''Deep Capture''==== | ====''Deep Capture''==== | ||
In part to publicize his thoughts on naked short selling, Byrne founded the website "Deep Capture". In October 2011, ] businessman Altaf Nazerali sued Byrne for ] in the ] for articles published on the website. The articles described Nazerali as being involved with "Osama Bin Laden's favorite financier," and that he worked with ]s including the ], the ], and various "jihadi terrorist groups" including ]'s Golden Chain. Deep Capture also accused Nazerali of "delivering weapons to war zones in Africa and to the mujahedeen in Afghanistan," of orchestrating "small-time 'pump and dump' scams… bust-outs, death spiral finance and naked short selling," and of carrying out dirty work for "a Pakistani ISI asset" who "works for the Iranian regime." In May 2016, the Court found that the allegations in the Deep Capture articles were libelous and defamatory; Nazerali was awarded $1.2 million in damages, including $500,000 in aggravated damages, $250,000 in punitive damages and $55,000 in special damages.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/vancouver-businessman-wins-1-2-million-for-internet-libel|title=Vancouver businessman wins $1.2 million for Internet libel|last=Mulgrew|first=Ian|date=2016-05-07|work=]|access-date=2018-11-18|language=en-US}}</ref> Byrne was permanently banned from publishing these accusations. The Court found Byrne, his employee Mark Mitchell, and Deep Capture "engaged in a calculated and ruthless campaign to inflict as much damage on Mr. Nazerali's reputation as they could achieve." The 102-page decision said "It is clear on the evidence that their intention was to conduct a vendetta in which the truth about Mr. Nazerali himself was of no consequence."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/fake-news-pioneer-patrick-byrne-faces-reckoning_us_58a08b80e4b0e172783a9db4|title=Fake News Pioneer Patrick Byrne Faces Reckoning|last=Weiss|first=Gary|date=2017-02-16|website=]|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcsc/doc/2016/2016bcsc810/2016bcsc810.pdf|title=Supreme Court of British Columbia Decision |
In part to publicize his thoughts on naked short selling, Byrne founded the website "Deep Capture". In October 2011, ] businessman Altaf Nazerali sued Byrne for ] in the ] for articles published on the website. The articles described Nazerali as being involved with "Osama Bin Laden's favorite financier," and that he worked with ]s including the ], the ], and various "jihadi terrorist groups" including ]'s Golden Chain. Deep Capture also accused Nazerali of "delivering weapons to war zones in Africa and to the mujahedeen in Afghanistan," of orchestrating "small-time 'pump and dump' scams… bust-outs, death spiral finance and naked short selling," and of carrying out dirty work for "a Pakistani ISI asset" who "works for the Iranian regime." In May 2016, the Court found that the allegations in the Deep Capture articles were libelous and defamatory; Nazerali was awarded $1.2 million in damages, including $500,000 in aggravated damages, $250,000 in punitive damages and $55,000 in special damages.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/vancouver-businessman-wins-1-2-million-for-internet-libel|title=Vancouver businessman wins $1.2 million for Internet libel|last=Mulgrew|first=Ian|date=2016-05-07|work=]|access-date=2018-11-18|language=en-US}}</ref> Byrne was permanently banned from publishing these accusations. The Court found Byrne, his employee Mark Mitchell, and Deep Capture "engaged in a calculated and ruthless campaign to inflict as much damage on Mr. Nazerali's reputation as they could achieve." The 102-page decision said "It is clear on the evidence that their intention was to conduct a vendetta in which the truth about Mr. Nazerali himself was of no consequence."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/fake-news-pioneer-patrick-byrne-faces-reckoning_us_58a08b80e4b0e172783a9db4|title=Fake News Pioneer Patrick Byrne Faces Reckoning|last=Weiss|first=Gary|date=2017-02-16|website=]|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcsc/doc/2016/2016bcsc810/2016bcsc810.pdf|title=Supreme Court of British Columbia Decision}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/ca/18/01/2018BCCA0104.htm|title=2018 BCCA 104 Nazerali v. Mitchell|website=www.courts.gov.bc.ca|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref> | ||
The judgment was upheld on appeal in August 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/dock-regi-eng.aspx?cas=38113|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Docket - 38113|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2001-01-01|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/sc/16/08/2016BCSC0810cor1.htm|title=2016 BCSC 810 Nazerali v. Mitchell|website=www.courts.gov.bc.ca|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/the-wild-west-of-the-internet-b-c-mans-seven-year-ordeal-ends-with-million-dollar-libel-award|title='Wild West of the internet': Seven-year online defamation battle ends with $1.1 million award|date=2018-08-27|work=Vancouver Sun|access-date=2018-09-01|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.asianpacificpost.com/article/8373-if-it-can-happen-me-it-can-happen-you.html|title="If it can happen to me, it can happen to you"|newspaper=Asian Pacific Post|language=en|access-date=2018-09-01}}</ref> | The judgment was upheld on appeal in Canada in August 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/dock-regi-eng.aspx?cas=38113|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Docket - 38113|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2001-01-01|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/sc/16/08/2016BCSC0810cor1.htm|title=2016 BCSC 810 Nazerali v. Mitchell|website=www.courts.gov.bc.ca|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/the-wild-west-of-the-internet-b-c-mans-seven-year-ordeal-ends-with-million-dollar-libel-award|title='Wild West of the internet': Seven-year online defamation battle ends with $1.1 million award|date=2018-08-27|work=Vancouver Sun|access-date=2018-09-01|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.asianpacificpost.com/article/8373-if-it-can-happen-me-it-can-happen-you.html|title="If it can happen to me, it can happen to you"|newspaper=Asian Pacific Post|language=en|access-date=2018-09-01}}</ref> | ||
===Relationship with Maria Butina and resignation as CEO=== | ====Relationship with Maria Butina and resignation as CEO==== | ||
In 2019, Byrne announced that he |
In 2019, Byrne announced that he was resigning in order to come forward about his involvement with the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/22/overstock-ceo-patrick-byrne-resigns-following-deep-state-comments.html|title=Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne resigns following 'deep state' comments, stock rises|first=Annie|last=Palmer|date=August 22, 2019|website=CNBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/22/business/overstock-ceo-patrick-byrne-resigns/index.html|title=Overstock CEO resigns after his 'deep state' comments sparked stock selloff | CNN Business|first=Jackie|last=Wattles|date=August 22, 2019|website=CNN}}</ref> Byrne claimed that he had had a lifelong relationship with the US government, and in that service he had been involved in the investigation of a corrupt federal official (whom he subsequently identified as ]), and been directed to develop a romantic relationship with Russian agent ].<ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/business/overstockcom-ceo-patrick-byrne-resigns-after-revealing-involvement-in-fbi-russi-idUSL4N25I3PS/</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/15/business/overstock-paul-byrne-maria-butina-affair.html |title=Overstock C.E.O. Takes Aim at 'Deep State' After Romance With Russian Agent |last=Corkery |first=Michael |date=2019-08-15 |work=The New York Times |access-date=2019-08-15 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-overstock-ceo-resigns-20190823-zla7ur4pqvcgxmrkqn62vvdisa-story.html |title=Overstock CEO quits after bizarre 'Deep State' comments confirming relationship with imprisoned Russian |work=] |publisher=] |date=August 23, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823202450/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-overstock-ceo-resigns-20190823-zla7ur4pqvcgxmrkqn62vvdisa-story.html |archive-date=2019-08-23 |access-date=2019-08-23 }}</ref> Byrne claimed that insurer fears about Byrne's "personality and public comments" made the firm uninsurable, and as a result he was leaving the firm.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/09/26/inside-overstockcom-where-firebrand-ceo-deep-state-intrigue-took-center-stage/ |title=Inside Overstock.com, where a firebrand CEO and 'Deep State' intrigue took center stage |newspaper=Washington Post |author=Ahba Bahattaria |date=September 26, 2019}}</ref> | ||
Byrne resigned his board seat and position as CEO of Overstock.com on August 22, 2019 |
Byrne resigned his board seat and position as CEO of Overstock.com on August 22, 2019 and ] was appointed CEO by the board.<ref name=Bhattarai>{{cite news|last=Bhattarai|first=Abha|date=August 22, 2019|title= Overstock CEO resigns after saying he aided in 'deep state' Russia probe|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/08/22/overstock-ceo-patrick-byrne-resigns-after-saying-he-aided-deep-state-russia-investigation/| newspaper= ]}}</ref><ref>Metz, Cade and Creswell, Julie , ''The New York Times'', August 22, 2019</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/overstock-investors-cheer-after-controversial-ceo-patrick-byrne-resigns-2019-08-22|title=Overstock investors cheer after 'too controversial' CEO Patrick Byrne resigns|last=Kilgore|first=Tomi|website=MarketWatch|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref> | ||
While |
While throughout Byrne's tenure at Overstock investors opposed Byrne's leadership style, he did not experience an ] campaign and maintained that his departure was voluntary, rather than forced by the corporation's board.<ref name=Debter/> | ||
Byrne sold some of his Overstock stock over the course of 2019, but remained the company's largest shareholder |
Byrne sold some of his Overstock stock over the course of 2019, but still remained the company's largest shareholder, with a 14% stake.<ref name=Debter/> However, one month after resigning to go public about these federal matters, at the request of board of directors to severe all ties with Overstock, Byrne sold his entire stake in company (more than 4.7 million shares, about $90 million). Byrne wrote on his blog that he would invest the proceeds in gold, silver, and two cryptocurrencies; criticized what he claimed to be "acts of retaliation from the Deep State"; and attacking the SEC as "the Deep State's pets."<ref>Abha Bhattarai, , ''Washington Post'' (September 19, 2019).</ref> | ||
After Butina's release from prison, she became involved in Russian national politics. Byrne continued to send her financial gifts, which in 2021 led members of the Russian political opposition to object to her running for political office based on her "foreign financial backing". The "gifts" were investigated in the US by the ''Business Insider'', and Byrne admitted to them, when her candidacy with ]'s party ] became public.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shoaib|first=Alia|title=Patrick Byrne, the pro-Trump former Overstock CEO admits funneling cash to his ex-lover Maria Butina, the glamorous spy expected to be elected to Russia's parliament|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/pro-trump-former-overstock-ceo-gave-russian-spy-ex-lover-money-2021-9|access-date=2021-09-24|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
==Political involvement== | ==Political involvement== | ||
Line 72: | Line 74: | ||
===Promotion of falsehoods regarding 2020 presidential election=== | ===Promotion of falsehoods regarding 2020 presidential election=== | ||
{{see also|Election denial movement in the United States}} | |||
In 2020, Byrne promoted President ]'s |
In 2020, Byrne promoted President ]'s claim that he actually won the U.S. presidential election; Trump, the ] incumbent, was defeated by Democratic candidate ]. Along with ] and ], among others, Byrne was a leading figure in an assortment of allies gathered by Trump to amplify his ] claims during his months-long effort to subvert the election results and cling to power.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020|title=Trump assembles a ragtag crew of conspiracy-minded allies in flailing bid to reverse election loss|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-assembles-a-ragtag-crew-of-conspiracy-minded-allies-in-flailing-bid-to-reverse-election-loss/2020/12/21/d7674cd2-43b2-11eb-b0e4-0f182923a025_story.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Rutenberg|first1=Jim|last2=Becker|first2=Jo|last3=Lipton|first3=Eric|last4=Haberman|first4=Maggie|last5=Martin|first5=Jonathan|last6=Rosenberg|first6=Matthew|last7=Schmidt|first7=Michael S.|date=January 31, 2021 |title=77 Days: Trump's Campaign to Subvert the Election|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/31/us/trump-election-lie.html|access-date=2021-02-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Key figures who pushed 2020 election conspiracies are now boosting Arizona audit - From Bannon to Byrne, Trump allies are leading the drive for the audit |author=Will Steakin |date=May 17, 2021 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/key-figures-pushed-2020-election-conspiracies-now-boosting/story?id=77674648 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/qanon-believers-duped-by-trump-melania-impersonators-on-telegram|title=QAnon Believers Duped by Trump, Melania Impersonators on Telegram|author=Will Sommer |publisher=The Daily Beast |date=February 26, 2021}}</ref> | ||
Over a series of months, Byrne repeatedly promoted bizarre conspiracy claims about the 2020 election results, including in Florida, Texas, and Georgia, pushing the falsehoods at public rallies and on ], variously claiming that Biden, election technology companies, China, or other foreign powers engaged in |
Over a series of months, Byrne repeatedly promoted bizarre conspiracy claims about the 2020 election results, including in Florida, Texas, and Georgia, pushing the falsehoods at public rallies and on ], variously claiming that Biden, election technology companies, China, or other foreign powers engaged in an elaborate scheme to "steal" the election.<ref name=Guard>{{cite news |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/29/patrick-byrne-trump-fundraiser-election-conspiracy-theories |title=Patrick Byrne: pro-Trump millionaire pushing election conspiracy theories |author=Peter Stone |date=May 29, 2021}}</ref><ref name=McKay>{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/the-overstock-dot-com-guy-is-giving-the-mypillow-gremli-1846958961 |title=The Overstock Dot Com Guy Is Giving the MyPillow Gremlin a Run for His 'Election Fraud' Grift Money |date=May 24, 2021 |author=Tom McKay |publisher=Gizmodo}}</ref><ref name=Davidson>Lee Davidson, , ''Salt Lake Tribune'' (January 12, 2021).</ref> | ||
===December 2020 meeting with Trump=== | ===December 2020 meeting with Trump=== | ||
'']'' wrote of Byrne's association with Trump that he "became one of the strangest characters of the last days of the Trump administration, visiting the White House in December, dressed in jeans and a hoodie, scarfing down meatballs, and bickering with Trump’s legal team and administration officials, as he, Flynn, and Powell together pitched the then-president on their democracy-thwarting schemes."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/what-became-of-trumps-election-dead-enders-his-biz-is-shunned-she-resigned-and-everyone-is-being-sued |title=His Biz Is Shunned, She Resigned, and Everyone Is Being Sued: What Became of |
'']'' wrote of Byrne's association with Trump that he "became one of the strangest characters of the last days of the Trump administration, visiting the White House in December, dressed in jeans and a hoodie, scarfing down meatballs, and bickering with Trump’s legal team and administration officials, as he, Flynn, and Powell together pitched the then-president on their democracy-thwarting schemes."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/what-became-of-trumps-election-dead-enders-his-biz-is-shunned-she-resigned-and-everyone-is-being-sued |title=His Biz Is Shunned, She Resigned, and Everyone Is Being Sued: What Became of Trump's Election Dead-Enders |publisher=The Daily Beast |date=February 8, 2021 |author=Asawin Suebsaeng and Will Sommer}}</ref> On December 18, 2020, Byrne visited the White House, where he met with Trump, ], lawyer and former Trump administration official Emily Newman, and Trump's former National Security Advisor ]. During a meeting with Trump in the ], the four promoted their disproven fraud claims to Trump and sought to develop a plan to try to overturn Trump's election loss, which had occurred more than a month before and been formalized four days before with the ] vote.<ref name=Davidson/><ref name=Basu>{{cite news |last1=Swan |first1=Jonathan |last2=Basu |first2=Zachary |title=Inside the craziest meeting of the Trump presidency |url=https://www.axios.com/trump-oval-office-meeting-sidney-powell-a8e1e466-2e42-42d0-9cf1-26eb267f8723.html |access-date=February 3, 2021 |work=] |date=February 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/12/14/a-tycoons-deep-state-conspiracy-dive|title=A Tycoon's Deep-State Conspiracy Dive Patrick Byrne, the former head of Overstock, had always been outspoken. Did an affair with a Russian agent push him too far? |author=Sheelah Kolhatkar |magazine=] |date=December 7, 2020}}</ref><ref name=Mirror /> | ||
The four met Trump without the appointment appearing on Trump's private schedule, and Trump's White House staff had apparently not been informed about the meeting.<ref name=Basu/> After encountering opposition during their visit from some Trump officials, such as ] ],<ref name=Basu/> Byrne later claimed that Trump's advisors were insufficiently loyal to him and were "mendacious mediocrities" who "want him to lose and are lying to him."<ref name=Davidson/> In a Twitter post, he advised Trump and his allies to "Trust Rudy and Sidney only."<ref name=Davidson/> Byrne said that he entered the White House on a bluff—"without any invitation"—and describing the quartet's plan as using Powell and Flynn's fame to "bullshit our way past" White House security to get to Trump.<ref name=DavidsonBluff>{{cite news |last1=Davidson |first1=Lee |title=Former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne describes bluffing his way into Trump's White House |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/02/02/former-overstock-ceo/ |access-date=February 3, 2021 |work=] |date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210203094221/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/02/02/former-overstock-ceo/ |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Byrne, he had enlisted a White House staffer's help in entering the compound, but Byrne "may have been less than clear that there would be some people with" him.<ref name=DavidsonBluff/> | The four met Trump without the appointment appearing on Trump's private schedule, and Trump's White House staff had apparently not been informed about the meeting.<ref name=Basu/> After encountering opposition during their visit from some Trump officials, such as ] ],<ref name=Basu/> Byrne later claimed that Trump's advisors were insufficiently loyal to him and were "mendacious mediocrities" who "want him to lose and are lying to him."<ref name=Davidson/> In a Twitter post, he advised Trump and his allies to "Trust Rudy and Sidney only."<ref name=Davidson/> Byrne said that he entered the White House on a bluff—"without any invitation"—and describing the quartet's plan as using Powell and Flynn's fame to "bullshit our way past" White House security to get to Trump.<ref name=DavidsonBluff>{{cite news |last1=Davidson |first1=Lee |title=Former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne describes bluffing his way into Trump's White House |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/02/02/former-overstock-ceo/ |access-date=February 3, 2021 |work=] |date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210203094221/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/02/02/former-overstock-ceo/ |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Byrne, he had enlisted a White House staffer's help in entering the compound, but Byrne "may have been less than clear that there would be some people with" him.<ref name=DavidsonBluff/> During this time, Byrne had hired private jets to fly members of the ] and other members of far-right groups to Washington DC in order to engage over tactics for overturning the 2020 election.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/12/29/overstock-founder-flew-proud/ |publisher=Salt Lake City Tribune |title=Overstock founder flew Proud Boys to rally supporting Trump in days after 2020 election, Jan. 6 committee finds |author=Emily Stern |date=December 29, 2022}}</ref> In August 2023, his involvement at the White House meeting led CNN to name him as the potential identity of one of the thirty unindicted co-conspirators numbered in the indictment leading to the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/17/politics/trump-georgia-30-unindicted-co-conspirators/index.html |publisher=CNN |title=The identities behind the 30 unindicted co-conspirators in Trump's Georgia case |date=August 17, 2023 |author=Elizabeth Stuart, Jeremy Herb and Zachary Cohen}}</ref> Byrne's White House meeting with Powell and others was further spotlighted in news coverage of Powell's guilty plea in the Georgia case.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/19/politics/sidney-powell-plea-takeaways/index.html |publisher=CNN |title=How Sidney Powell's guilty plea may impact Donald Trump |author=Marshall Cohen |date=October 20, 2023}}</ref> | ||
===January 2021 attack on the Capitol=== | ===January 2021 attack on the Capitol=== | ||
Byrne was a speaker at the Trump rally on January 6 in Washington, D.C., which was directly followed by a ].<ref name=Rutenberg /><ref name=Davidson/> Soon afterward, Twitter ].<ref name=Davidson/> | Byrne was a speaker at the Trump rally on January 6 in Washington, D.C., which was directly followed by a ].<ref name=Rutenberg /><ref name=Davidson/> Soon afterward, Twitter ].<ref name=Davidson/> In July 2022, Byrne agreed to testify before Congress during the ] on his role in the events leading up to the insurrection.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Overstock CEO who spread election conspiracy theories will meet with committee |date=July 11, 2022 |author=Haley Talbot and Julia Jester |publisher=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/live-blog/-january-6-hearings-committee-live-updates-day-7-rcna36734}}</ref> News of the meeting led further news organizations, such as the '']'', to publish lengthy profiles of Byrne's ] activities.<ref name=Scott>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/07/13/trump-jan-6-byrne-overstock/ |date=July 13, 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post |title=Who is Patrick Byrne, former Overstock CEO and election denier? |author=Eugene Scott}}</ref> In 2023, Byrne implied that he had damaging material on ] after he was named the ] into Trump related criminal matters in social media posts that he later removed.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/ex-overstock-ceo-claims-have-damning-video-naughty-jack-smith-1814347 |title=Ex-Overstock CEO Claims to Have Damning Video of 'Naughty' Jack Smith |publisher=Newsweek |author=Nick Mordowanec |date=July 20, 2023}}</ref> | ||
===Republican |
===Republican audit of the 2020 Arizona state ballot count=== | ||
In April 2021, Byrne became the leading financier of the controversial ]. Biden won Maricopa County (and the State of Arizona), and the result was confirmed |
In April 2021, Byrne became the leading financier of the controversial ]. Biden won Maricopa County (and the State of Arizona), and the result was confirmed multiple times. Nonetheless, in a bid to try to support Trump's lies about the election, the ]'s Republican leadership, led by Senate President ], launched an audit of the county's election results, run by a small Trump-aligned company called ], which has no experience in election audits and is led by a CEO who had previously promoted the false claim that the election was rigged. The haphazard, highly politicized audit process failed to follow standard recounting procedures and was condemned by election experts, Democrats, and some Republicans, including the Republican-dominated ], who wrote that Arizona Republicans "rented out the once-good name of the Arizona Senate" to "grifters" who were perpetrating a "sham."<ref>Nicholas Roccardi, , Associated Press (May 23, 2021).</ref><ref>Eric Bradner, , CNN (June 4, 2021).</ref><ref>Rosalind S. Helderman, , ''Washington Post'' (May 18, 2021).</ref> | ||
Byrne claimed that he had pledged $1 million for his "Fund the Audit" campaign;<ref name=Mirror>{{cite news |title=Everything we know about who is funding the Arizona election audit |author=Jerod MacDonald-Evoy |date=May 3, 2021 |newspaper=Arizona Mirror |url=https://www.azmirror.com/2021/05/03/everything-we-know-about-who-is-funding-the-arizona-election-audit/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/05/arizonas-election-audit-is-a-trainwreck/618834/ |publisher=The Atlantic |title=The Unfolding Disaster in Arizona |author=David A. Graham |date=May 7, 2021}}</ref> The America Project, a Florida-based group of which Byrne is CEO and founder,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-arizona-recount/2021/04/29/bcd8d832-a798-11eb-bca5-048b2759a489_story.html |newspaper=Washington Post |title=As Trump seizes on Arizona ballot audit, election officials fear partisan vote counts could be the norm in future elections |date=April 29, 2021 |author=Rosalind S. Helderman and Josh Dawsey}}</ref> claimed that it raised a total of $1.7 million to support the "audit,"<ref>Jane C. Timm, , NBC News (May 19, 2021).</ref> including funds sent by social media followers in support of the cause.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.12news.com/article/news/politics/arizona-audit-explainer/75-e92e8a36-3b75-40dd-b1f7-2de96c446755 |title=Arizona audit: Everything you need to know |date=May 22, 2021 |publisher=NBC 12 |author=Brahm Resnik}}</ref> Byrne stated that he had aspirations to spread his activities to additional counties in other states.<ref name=Guard /> In addition to raising money, the group helped to recruit volunteers to count ballots and coordinate with the Arizona state Senate Republicans.<ref>, ''Arizona Republic'' (May 22, 2021).</ref> ], a former Republican U.S. Senator from Arizona, said Byrne's involvement undermined the "credibility" of the process, adding, "It's damaging to the Republican party and our system of government."<ref name=Guard /> | Byrne claimed that he had pledged $1 million for his "Fund the Audit" campaign;<ref name=Mirror>{{cite news |title=Everything we know about who is funding the Arizona election audit |author=Jerod MacDonald-Evoy |date=May 3, 2021 |newspaper=Arizona Mirror |url=https://www.azmirror.com/2021/05/03/everything-we-know-about-who-is-funding-the-arizona-election-audit/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/05/arizonas-election-audit-is-a-trainwreck/618834/ |publisher=The Atlantic |title=The Unfolding Disaster in Arizona |author=David A. Graham |date=May 7, 2021}}</ref> The America Project, a Florida-based group of which Byrne is CEO and founder,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-arizona-recount/2021/04/29/bcd8d832-a798-11eb-bca5-048b2759a489_story.html |newspaper=Washington Post |title=As Trump seizes on Arizona ballot audit, election officials fear partisan vote counts could be the norm in future elections |date=April 29, 2021 |author=Rosalind S. Helderman and Josh Dawsey}}</ref> claimed that it raised a total of $1.7 million to support the "audit,"<ref>Jane C. Timm, , NBC News (May 19, 2021).</ref> including funds sent by social media followers in support of the cause.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.12news.com/article/news/politics/arizona-audit-explainer/75-e92e8a36-3b75-40dd-b1f7-2de96c446755 |title=Arizona audit: Everything you need to know |date=May 22, 2021 |publisher=NBC 12 |author=Brahm Resnik}}</ref> Byrne stated that he had aspirations to spread his activities to additional counties in other states.<ref name=Guard /> In addition to raising money, the group helped to recruit volunteers to count ballots and coordinate with the Arizona state Senate Republicans.<ref>, ''Arizona Republic'' (May 22, 2021).</ref> ], a former Republican U.S. Senator from Arizona, said Byrne's involvement undermined the "credibility" of the process, adding, "It's damaging to the Republican party and our system of government."<ref name=Guard /> | ||
In late September 2021, the results of the ballot count were released, showing that Biden did indeed win the county - with a potentially larger margin than originally counted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/24/politics/arizona-election-review-results/index.html|title=Final report from partisan Arizona review confirms Biden defeated Trump in Maricopa County last November|first1=Eric|last1=Bradner|first2=Anna-Maja|last2=Rappard|website=CNN|date=24 September 2021 }}</ref> Following the release of the report, Byrne doubled down on trying to find other reasons to keep his conspiracy theory afloat,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://patrickbyrne.locals.com/post/1105406/from-the-real-maricopa-report-not-certifiable-not-reliable |title=From The REAL Maricopa Report: "not certifiable, not reliable" |publisher=Patrick Byrne Locals |date=September 24, 2021}}</ref> as ] published that Byrne was profiting from the continued false accusations of election insecurity.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/arizona-audit-draft-latest-sham-election-review-investigate-those-profiting-ncna1279989 |author=Grant Woods |title=Arizona audit draft is latest sham election review. Investigate those profiting from them |date=September 24, 2021 |publisher=NBC News}}</ref> | |||
===Financing and promoting claims in blog, books, media, organizations, and film=== | ===Financing and promoting claims in blog, books, media, organizations, and film=== | ||
In 2021, Byrne |
In 2021, Byrne self-published his book ''The Deep Rig: How Election Fraud Cost Donald J. Trump the White House, By a Man Who Did Not Vote for Him'', which details his experience promoting his various electoral conspiracy theories.<ref name=Guard /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arizona-business-technology-election-recounts-c5948f1d2ecdff9e93d4aa27ba0c1315 |publisher=Associated Press |title=Experts or 'grifters'? Little-known firm runs Arizona audit |author=Nicholas Riccardi|date=May 23, 2021}}</ref> The book, largely compiled of text copied-and-pasted from Byrne's blog, was hastily produced, with the print version including hyperlinks and embedded video not useful in the paper printed format.<ref name=McKay /><ref name=Sommer>{{cite web |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/overstock-founder-will-sell-you-election-fraud-for-dollar5-per-month|title=Overstock Founder Will Sell You Election Fraud for $5 Per Month |author=Will Sommer |publisher=The Daily Beast |date=May 24, 2021}}</ref> '']'' broadcast an episode at this time that highlighted Byrne's consistent pushback when questions arose the veracity of his theories, without providing further evidence.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/plot-to-overturn-the-election/transcript/? |publisher=Frontline on PBS |title=Plot to Overturn the Election?}}</ref> At this time, Byrne also urged election-fraud believers to sign up to pay him $5 per month, in credit-card recurring charges, to view his social media posts about what he claimed to be "insider knowledge"; this could bring Byrne up to $1.15 million annually in subscription fees.<ref name=McKay /><ref name=Sommer /> | ||
⚫ | During the audit in Maricopa County, Arizona, Byrne funded a documentary film, ''The Deep Rig'', created by director Roger R. Richards, to promote his 2020 election-related falsehoods. Richards was previously known for films promoting fantastical claims, such as the belief that the ] were caused by ]. Byrne is the key figure in the film, which features interviews from various other conspiracy theorists.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.azmirror.com/2021/06/02/the-conspiracy-theory-film-made-at-the-arizona-audit/ |publisher=Arizona Mirror |title=The conspiracy theory film made at the Arizona audit |author=Jerod MacDonald-Evoy |date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> The film, based partially on Byrne's self-published book, has also been promoted by fellow conspiracy theorist ],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/06/04/mike-lindells-fraud-allegations-are-even-more-ridiculous-than-you-might-think/ |title=Mike Lindell's 'fraud' allegations are even more ridiculous than you might think |newspaper=Washington Post |date=June 4, 2021 |author=Phillip Bump}}</ref> who teamed up with Byrne in 2021 in order to push their respective election theories in concert.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/06/01/surreal-submerged-conspiratorial-trump-centered-political-universe-still-thrives/ |title=A surreal, submerged, conspiratorial, Trump-centered political universe still thrives |newspaper=Washington Post |date=June 1, 2021 |author=Phillip Bump}}</ref> The reported budget for the film was $750,000,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/06/24/inside-shadow-reality-world-promoting-lie-that-presidential-election-was-stolen/ |title=Inside the Shadow Reality World Promoting the Lie that Presidential Election was Stolen |newspaper=Washington Post |date=June 24, 2021 |author=Rosalind Helderman}}</ref> and the streaming cost for the film was between $45 and $500 per view, which resulted in ] commenting that Byrne "seems to be making a ton of money on that" as well.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.msnbc.com/transcripts/transcript-rachel-maddow-show-6-28-21-n1272589 |title=June 28, 2021 The Rachel Maddow Show |publisher=MSNBC |date=June 28, 2021 |author=Rachel Maddow}}</ref> The film premiered at the ] megachurch in ], where Byrne spoke alongside the director and, according to '']'', "a local QAnon conspiracist, BabyQ, who claimed to be receiving messages from his future self."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/08/09/the-big-money-behind-the-big-lie |magazine=The New Yorker |title=The Big Money Behind the Big Lie - Donald Trump's attacks on democracy are being promoted by rich and powerful conservative groups that are determined to win at all costs |author=Jane Mayer |date=August 2, 2021}}</ref> '']'' stated that the film encouraged right-wing media outlets and social media accounts to promote election denial on behalf of Trump.<ref name=Scott /> | ||
Byrne urged election-fraud believers to sign up to pay him $5 per month, in credit-card recurring charges, to view his social media posts about what he claimed to be "insider knowledge"; this could bring Byrne up to $1.15 million annually in subscription fees.<ref name=McKay /><ref name=Sommer /> | |||
⚫ | {{citation needed span|date=October 2021|text=In addition to his interviews and other commentaries pushing his election theories, Byrne also funded a group of investigators to try and prove his theory. On a ]-related podcast in late November 2020, Byrne said: "I'm a free agent, and I'm self-funded, and I fund this army of various strange people."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/ex-overstock-ceo-says-hes-put-together-an-army-of-various-odd-people-to-save-trump | title=Ex-Overstock CEO Says He's Put Together an 'Army of Various Odd People' to Save Trump | newspaper=The Daily Beast | date=28 November 2020 | last1=Sommer | first1=Will }}</ref> He said he envisioned himself as the protagonist leading a team of hackers in a future Hollywood film on his efforts.}} Byrne promoted his election-related falsehoods on pro-Trump far-right outlets such as ] and ], which attracted viewers and readers by their willingness to go further than ] in promoting Trump's bid to subvert the election result.<ref name=Rutenberg>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/31/us/trump-election-lie.html |title=77 Days: Trump's Campaign to Subvert the Election |work=New York Times |author=Jim Rutenberg, Jo Becker, Eric Lipton, Maggie Haberman, Jonathan Martin, Matthew Rosenberg and Michael S. Schmidt |date=January 31, 2021}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | During the |
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⚫ | Byrne's leadership of the "American Project" reflected his growing influence on the ] right, with the organization playing a major role, in conjunction with other right-wing groups, in promoting election ].<ref name=Guard /> Byrne was also briefly the CEO of "Defending the Republic," a fundraising organization founded by Powell that purported to raise funds to fight for "election integrity" but was used instead to Powell's personal legal bills to support her defense against a $1.3 billion defamation suit filed against Powell by ] in connection with her promotion of conspiracy theories.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-lifestyle-election-2020-business-government-and-politics-d50cc5f0240279800f7053797a12b2d1 |publisher=Associated Press |title=Company: Ex-Trump lawyer raiding nonprofit for personal use |author=Michael Kunzelman|date=May 15, 2021}}</ref> In August 2021, Byrne was then added to the defamation lawsuit alongside far-right news outlets OAN and Newsmax filed by Dominion, linking the defamation to Byrne's own pushing of election lies.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/08/10/dominion-sues-newsmax-oan-trump-ally-patrick-byrne-over-fraud-claims/5551561001/ |date=August 10, 2021 |title=Dominion sues OAN, Newsmax, ex-Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne for $1.6 billion over voter fraud claims |author=Kristine Phillips |publisher=USA TODAY}}</ref> In the suit, Dominion stated that Byrne had decided that the election "would be stolen" months ahead of the 2020 contest.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.motherjones.com/mojo-wire/2021/08/patrick-byrne-dominion-defamation/ |date=August 10, 2021 |title=Former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne Gets Sued for Pushing Election Lies |author=AJ Vincens |publisher=Mother Jones}}</ref> Byrne and the two news outlets were sued for $1.73 billion each.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dominion Voting Systems Sues Patrick Byrne, Newsmax, and OAN for $1.73 Billion Each|url=https://gizmodo.com/dominion-voting-systems-sues-patrick-byrne-newsmax-an-1847458370|access-date=2021-09-17|website=Gizmodo|date=10 August 2021 |language=en-us}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | In addition to his interviews and other commentaries pushing his election theories, Byrne also funded a group of investigators to try and prove his theory. On a ]-related podcast in late November 2020, |
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In 2022, ] reported that Byrne had been informed that several of the persons he promoted as stating that Trump was defrauded were lying, but that he chose to promote their words anyways. He also told a reporter from PBS that he "could live with" potentially "destroying the country", referring to the United States.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-powerful-conservatives-pushed-the-big-lie-that-the-2020-election-was-fraudulent |publisher=PBS |title=How powerful conservatives pushed the 'Big Lie' that the 2020 election was fraudulent |date=April 26, 2022 }}</ref> During the 2022 Midterm Elections, Byrne was a major donor to candidates that ran on the premise that the 2020 election was not legitimate.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/big-donors-working-overturn-2020-election-are-backing-election-denial | title=Big Donors Working to Overturn the 2020 Election Are Backing Election Denial Candidates in 2022 | Brennan Center for Justice | date=November 2022 }}</ref> Following the election, he again financed efforts by candidates to overturn their lost election bids, including ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.12news.com/article/news/politics/lake-lawsuit-could-extend-beyond-hobbs-swearing-in/75-3791c7c0-4b31-4fa6-b221-93dd65fb0e83 |date=December 13, 2022 |publisher=NBC 12 News |title=Kari Lake's legal challenge to Katie Hobbs' victory could drag on beyond Hobbs' swearing-in as governor |author=Brahm Resnik}}</ref> | |||
⚫ | Byrne's leadership of the "American Project" reflected his growing influence on the ] right, with the organization playing a major role, in conjunction with other right-wing groups, in promoting election ].<ref name=Guard /> Byrne was also the CEO of "Defending the Republic," a fundraising organization founded by Powell that purported to raise funds to fight for "election integrity" but was used instead to Powell's personal legal bills to support her defense against a $1.3 billion defamation suit filed against Powell by ] in connection with her promotion of conspiracy theories.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-lifestyle-election-2020-business-government-and-politics-d50cc5f0240279800f7053797a12b2d1 |publisher=Associated Press |title=Company: Ex-Trump lawyer raiding nonprofit for personal use |author=Michael Kunzelman|date=May 15, 2021}}</ref> | ||
In June 2024, tax filing documents which were recovered by ] revealed that Byrne and ]'s non-profit group American Project made money off of conspiracy theories.<ref name=americaprojectrevenue>{{cite news|url=https://issueone.org/press/new-tax-filing-details-how-election-deniers-profit-from-group-founded-by-conspiracy-theorists-patrick-byrne-and-michael-flynn/|title=New tax filing details how election deniers profit from group founded by conspiracy theorists|first=Cory|last=Combs|publisher=Issue One|date=June 24, 2024|accessdate=June 26, 2024}}</ref> In 2022, Byrne himself collected a salary of $95,000 from America Project, and the organization itself was able to pay a real estate linked to Byrne $192,000.<ref name=americaprojectrevenue /> This money revenue was made in spite of the fact that Byrne previously told the ] that he did not make money from The American Project.<ref name=americaprojectrevenue /> Other people involved with the organization had been paid large salaries as well,<ref name=americaprojectrevenue /> In 2024, Byrne threatened to torture law enforcement involved in his law suits with "piano wire and a blowtorch".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lawandcrime.com/lawsuit/expressly-prohibited-judge-in-dominion-suit-has-abundantly-clear-message-for-kraken-lawyer-and-ex-overstock-ceo-on-tina-peters-trial/ |publisher=Law & Crime |title='Expressly prohibited': Judge in Dominion suit has 'abundantly clear' message for 'Kraken' lawyer and ex-Overstock CEO on Tina Peters trial |author=MATT NAHAM |date=July 30, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/26/patrick-byrne-tina-peters-threats/ |newspaper=Washington Post |title=Trump ally who denies 2020 election results threatens law enforcement |author=Patrick Marley |date=July 26, 2024}}</ref> That year he also admitted to hacking the government computers of Venezuela used in their elections, confirming reports from the country that he had been involved in what was described by Byrne as criminal activity against the regime, which he stated included "at least one act of war".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/voter-fraud-and-suppression/election-denier-patrick-byrne-claims-hes-conducted-illegal-activity |publisher=Media Matters |title=Election denier Patrick Byrne claims he's conducted "illegal activity ... hacking the government of Venezuela" |date=July 29, 2024}}</ref> A report revealed that in 2024, his fundraising efforts including providing financing for far right political groups in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pro-Trump Millionaire Patrick Byrne Has Been Funding Far-Right Groups That Promote Conspiracy Theories: Report |url=https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39871955/pro-trump-millionaire-patrick-byrne-has-been-funding-far-right-groups-that-promote-conspiracy-th |publisher=Benzinga |author=Nabaparna Bhattacharya |date=July 20, 2024}}</ref> | |||
===Anti-vaccination beliefs=== | |||
In the context of his election conspiracy theories, Byrne has also written posts pushing alternative cures to ] and questioning the role of vaccines on his blog ''Deep Capture''. He has stated that COVID-19 vaccines were either "poisoning Americans" or "putting miniature Covid-19 spike protein factories in our arms to wreak havoc with ovaries and balls".<ref name=DeepB>{{cite web |url=https://www.deepcapture.com/2021/08/im-a-real-doctor-not-a-medical-doctor/ |publisher=Deep Capture |date=August 9, 2021 |title="I'm a Real Doctor not a Medical Doctor…." |author=Patrick Byrne}}</ref> Both claims have been proven false by the medical community.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/health-57552527 |publisher=BBC |title=Covid vaccine: Fertility and miscarriage claims fact-checked |author=Rachel Schraer |date=August 11, 2021}}</ref> On the same blog, Byrne insisted that the vaccine push has its "origin in political decisions made in Washington, DC," and " little to do with what is best for the health of Americans, and everything to do with political considerations of a regime that came to power in a rigged election."<ref name=DeepB /> In September 2021, Byrne became a part of a travelling anti-vaccination touring group called the "]" tour that also featured Flynn and Lindell. Byrne travelled with the group to multiple US states with a message that COVID-19 was not a threat and that treatment of it was unhealthy—again something long disproven by actual medical doctors. Admission to their events ran between $250 and US$500 per person.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/03/trump-loyalists-doctors-ministers-reawaken-america-tour |work=The Guardian |title=Trump loyalists team up with anti-vax doctors for 'health and freedom' tour |date=September 3, 2021 |author=Peter Stone}}</ref> He is one of the largest donors to ]’s campaign for the 2024 Democratic Party presidential nomination, who is a noted anti-vaxer.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Kate |last2=O’Brien |first2=Rebecca Davis |date=2023-08-02 |title=R.F.K.-Aligned Super PAC Draws Heavily From a Republican Megadonor |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/us/politics/rfk-jr-donors.html |access-date=2023-08-16 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> | |||
===Accusation of defamation against Hunter Biden=== | |||
In November 2023, ] filed a defamation lawsuit against Byrne in the State of California, following interview comments and social media posts Byrne made accusing Biden of corruption involving ]. More than 100,000 individuals reviewed his comments according to the lawsuit.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/08/hunter-biden-sues-former-overstock-com-ceo-00126240 |publisher=Politico |title=Hunter Biden sues former Overstock.com CEO |date=November 11, 2023 |author=Betsy Woodruff Swan}}</ref> The suit further stated that Byrne had been informed that comments on Biden had been shown to be false, and Byrne refused to retract his comments.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lawandcrime.com/lawsuit/ex-overstock-ceo-who-had-trysts-with-maria-butina-and-attended-heated-trump-oval-office-meeting-in-2020-now-faces-hunter-biden-defamation-suit/ |publisher=Law & Crime |title=Ex-Overstock CEO who had 'trysts' with Maria Butina and attended heated Trump Oval Office meeting in 2020 now faces Hunter Biden defamation suit |author=Matt Naham |date=November 10, 2023}}</ref> In addition to this, Byrne used social media posts to attempt to link his comments to conspiracy theories surrounding the ]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hunter-biden-sues-overstock-ceo-patrick-byrne-defamation-joe-biden/ |publisher=CBS News |title=Hunter Biden sues former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne for defamation |author=Aimee Picchi |date=November 9, 2023}}</ref> and attempted to blame him for the ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/09/politics/hunter-biden-files-defamation-lawsuit-against-overstock-com-ceo/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=November 9, 2023 |title=Hunter Biden files defamation lawsuit against former Overstock CEO |author1=Paula Reid |author2=Katelyn Polantz}}</ref> In September 2024, Byrne stated that he "fled" the United States for Dubai and thus would not provide an in person deposition in the US as a part of the suit. Byrne's lawyers claimed further that he had gone to ] in response to a perceived threat from the Government of Venezuela.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/patrick-byrne-trump-ally-flees-us-venezuela-1966745 |author=Andrew Stanton |publisher=Newsweek |title=Trump Ally Says Venezuela Has $25M Bounty on His Head, Flees US for Dubai |date=October 9, 2024}}</ref> | |||
==Education policy== | ==Education policy== | ||
Byrne served for ten years as the chairman of the Milton & Rose Friedman Foundation, at the request of ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2013/07/31/patrick-m-byrne-milton-friedmans-school-voucher-legacy/|title=Patrick M. Byrne: Milton Friedman's school voucher legacy|first=Orange County Register | Orange County|last=Register|date=July 31, 2013}}</ref> The non-profit organization was founded by Milton and Rose Friedman and promotes school vouchers and other forms of school choice. After the agreed upon ten years, he changed the name and stepped down.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wishtv.com/news/edchoice-names-board-chair-new-board-member/|title=EdChoice names board chair, new board member|date=December 17, 2019|website=WISH-TV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.edchoice.org/media/edchoice-announces-board-leadership-changes-new-board-member/|title=EdChoice announces board leadership changes, new board member|date=June 18, 2024|website=EdChoice}}</ref> | |||
⚫ | In 2005, Byrne provided financial backing to the Class Education, whose goal is to change state laws to require schools to spend at least 65 percent of their operating budgets on classroom expenses. Proponents of the standard contend that it would free up money to increase teachers' salaries without requiring tax increases. Critics say that many services deemed "non-classroom" are necessary for education, including librarians, school nurses, guidance counselors, food service workers and school bus drivers.<ref> By Matthew Cooper Jun. 20, 2005, '']''</ref><ref>{{cite |
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⚫ | In 2005, Byrne provided financial backing to the Class Education, whose goal is to change state laws to require schools to spend at least 65 percent of their operating budgets on classroom expenses. Proponents of the standard contend that it would free up money to increase teachers' salaries without requiring tax increases. Critics say that many services deemed "non-classroom" are necessary for education, including librarians, school nurses, guidance counselors, food service workers and school bus drivers to which Byrne responded that funding was being sucked up District, County, State, and Federal layers the public did not see.<ref> By Matthew Cooper Jun. 20, 2005, '']''</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/04/education/04solution.html?pagewanted=all|title=Here's an Idea: Put 65% of the Money Into Classrooms|first=Alan|last=Finder|website=]|date=4 January 2006|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=136&languageId=1&contentId=63787|title=Stateline|website=Stateline.org|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> | ||
Byrne also serves as co-chair (with Rose Friedman) of ]. The non-profit organization was founded by ] and ] and promotes school vouchers and other forms of school choice.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201021049/http://friedmanfoundation.org/friedman/about/ShowBoardMembers.do |date=February 1, 2009}}</ref> | |||
Byrne and his family contributed most of the funds in support of House Bill 148 in ], a bill that would allow the state to provide funding vouchers for students who decide to leave public schools for private schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sltrib.com/ci_7341715?source=rv|title=Tribune poll: Anti-school vouchers camp has 20-point lead|website=Sltrib.com|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> In January 2008, it was reported that Byrne and his parents contributed about $4 million to the pro-voucher campaign, or three-quarters of its $5.4 million funding and equal the entire total spent by the opposing side.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695223711,00.html|title=Financing voucher fight|date=1 November 2007|website=]|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref><ref>,</ref> When that bill was defeated in a statewide referendum (62% opposing vs. 38% favoring),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/1109robb09.html|title=Voters dislike vouchers<!-- Bot generated title -->|website=Azcentral.com|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> the '']'' reported that Byrne "called the referendum a 'statewide IQ test' that Utahns failed." He said, "They don't care enough about their kids. They care an awful lot about this system, this bureaucracy, but they don't care enough about their kids to think outside the box."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_7392263?source=rv |title= |
Byrne and his family contributed most of the funds in support of House Bill 148 in ], a bill that would allow the state to provide funding vouchers for students who decide to leave public schools for private schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sltrib.com/ci_7341715?source=rv|title=Tribune poll: Anti-school vouchers camp has 20-point lead|website=Sltrib.com|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> In January 2008, it was reported that Byrne and his parents contributed about $4 million to the pro-voucher campaign, or three-quarters of its $5.4 million funding and equal the entire total spent by the opposing side.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695223711,00.html|title=Financing voucher fight|date=1 November 2007|website=]|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-date=25 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725144902/http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695223711,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>,</ref> When that bill was defeated in a statewide referendum (62% opposing vs. 38% favoring),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/1109robb09.html|title=Voters dislike vouchers<!-- Bot generated title -->|website=Azcentral.com|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> the '']'' reported that Byrne "called the referendum a 'statewide IQ test' that Utahns failed." He said, "They don't care enough about their kids. They care an awful lot about this system, this bureaucracy, but they don't care enough about their kids to think outside the box."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_7392263?source=rv |title=Salt Lake Tribune - Vouchers go down in crushing defeat |access-date=2007-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228120609/http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_7392263?source=rv |archive-date=2007-12-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
Byrne criticized Utah governor ] for not sufficiently supporting the voucher campaign. Huntsman had before he was elected stated that he was "going to be the voucher governor", and Byrne had donated $75,000 to Huntsman's campaign for governor in 2004. When Huntsman was elected, however, he went missing from the debate, and Byrne told the ] that he would now bankroll anyone who could defeat Huntsman at the polls, "even a communist".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/242935/|title=Overstock chief blasts Huntsman over vouchers |
Byrne criticized Utah governor ] for not sufficiently supporting the voucher campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/08/backed-huntsman-once-never-again-060708|title=Backed Huntsman once, never again |website=Politico}}</ref> Huntsman had before he was elected stated that he was "going to be the voucher governor", and Byrne had donated $75,000 to Huntsman's campaign for governor in 2004. When Huntsman was elected, however, he went missing from the debate, and Byrne told the ] that he would now bankroll anyone who could defeat Huntsman at the polls, "even a communist".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/242935/|title=Overstock chief blasts Huntsman over vouchers|agency=Associated Press|date=November 8, 2007|website=Herald Extra|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-date=6 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106212047/http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/242935/|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
Shortly after his |
Shortly after his graduation from Dartmouth, Byrne suffered from ]; he recovered, but three bouts of the cancer in his 20s left him hospitalized nearly three years and in ] for three more.<ref name=Debter/> He has been a life-long practitioner of ]s, holding a black belt in ], and remains an avid SCUBA diver, skier, and ].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bhattarai|first=Abha|title=Inside Overstock.com, where a firebrand CEO and 'Deep State' intrigue took center stage|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/09/26/inside-overstockcom-where-firebrand-ceo-deep-state-intrigue-took-center-stage/|access-date=2021-04-09|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> He once owned several homes in ], which he purchased through a company called Manatee Investments LLC, but he has since sold them.<ref name=Ninety>{{cite news |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/opinion/columns/2021/09/09/conspiracy-kooks-flocking-sarasota-county/5749142001/ |date=September 9, 2021 |title=Column: The secret moves of the Cyber Ninjas moneyman |author=Chris Anderson |publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/politics/2022/03/04/patrick-byrne-moved-sarasota-close-michael-flynn/9332304002/ | title=Sarasota Herald-Tribune Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts }}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 19:01, 23 November 2024
Former president, CEO and chairman of Overstock.com
Patrick Byrne | |
---|---|
Byrne in 2023 | |
Born | Patrick Michael Byrne (1962-11-29) November 29, 1962 (age 62) Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S. |
Education | Dartmouth College (BA) King's College, Cambridge (MA) Stanford University (PhD) |
Known for | Former Chairman and CEO of Overstock.com |
Relatives | John J. Byrne (father) |
Website | patrickbyrne |
Patrick Michael Byrne (born November 29, 1962) is an American businessman, promoter of conspiracy theories, and libertarian noted for his views on public education and blockchain.
In 1999, Byrne launched Overstock.com after leading two smaller companies. Byrne led Overstock as chief executive officer for two decades, from 1999 to 2019. In 2002, Byrne took Overstock public using the Dutch auction method, which was then novel.
Early in his Overstock tenure, Byrne attracted public attention for a long-running legal battle against naked short selling. Later, he resigned as CEO in August 2019, following revelations that he had been in an intimate relationship with Russian agent (and later politician) Maria Butina.
Since then Byrne has emerged as a leading figure in promoting conspiracy theories, including the "Deep State" conspiracy theory. In 2020 and 2021, he repeatedly promoted unevidenced claims that Donald Trump had lost the 2020 U.S. presidential election due to voter fraud. He has also toured the United States in order to provide anti-vaccination stump speeches for COVID-19 conspiracy theorists. He became notable for distributing and selling misinformation on various subject matters via websites, social media, books, and film.
Early life and education
Byrne was born on November 29, 1962, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He grew up in Woodstock, Vermont and Hanover, New Hampshire. He is the son of John J. Byrne, former chairman of Berkshire Hathaway's GEICO insurance subsidiary and White Mountains Insurance Group.
Byrne holds a bachelor's degree with dual majors in Western philosophy and Asian studies, from Dartmouth College, a master's degree from King's College, Cambridge as a Marshall Scholar, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Stanford University.
Business career
Early business career
While Byrne was a teaching fellow at Stanford University from 1989 to 1991, he was manager of Blackhawk Investment Co. and Elissar, Inc. He was chairman, CEO, president of Centricut, LLC, a manufacturer of industrial torches from 1994 to 1997. From 1997 to 1998, he held the same three positions at Fechheimer Brothers, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company that manufactured uniforms for the police, firefighters, and the military. His father was a friend of Warren Buffett, the leader of Berkshire Hathaway.
Overstock.com
Career and tenure as CEO
In 1999, after leading two smaller companies, including operating a set of Berkshire Hathaway's domestic companies, Byrne was approached by the founder of D2-Discounts Direct with a request for operating capital. The company had generated slightly more than $500,000 in revenue the previous year by liquidating excess furniture inventory online, but was out of capital and shutting its doors. Byrne found the idea of online closeouts intriguing, and in the spring of 1999 invested $7 million for a 60 percent equity stake in the company. In September the same year he took over as CEO, and the following month the company was renamed Overstock.com.
Byrne initiated an IPO of Overstock.com in 2002, becoming one of the first companies to go public under the "Dutch auction" method, a system advanced by WR Hambrecht + Co to retain a greater share of capital within the company rather than going to the investment bank underwriters used in conventional public offerings. Byrne has said that competing banks reacted against this, attempting to obstruct the success of the offering through negative reports and by shorting the company's stock. When Google later in 2004 went public via a Dutch auction IPO, Byrne commented that Wall Street firms similarly pushed negative stories, but did not keep it from going forward successfully. Four years after the OpenIPO, one official of Hambrecht, its now former co-CEO Clay Corbus was added to Overstock's board of directors. As a part of his role, Byrne advocated for the use of blockchain technology, including cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin.
Some Overstock employees, as well as Byrne's father, initially believed that Byrne's long-running campaign against short sellers, which began in 2005, distracted him from Overstock's core business. The company had losses in some years, and modest profits in others. Byrne's tenure was marked by a series of initiatives that were rolled out with much enthusiasm, but that were later abandoned or had disappointing outcomes. In 2004, Overstock spent several million dollars to establish an online auction platform to compete with eBay, but the project was not successful and shut down in 2011. The company also launched, and then later closed, projects in real estate, travel booking, and auto sales. He took an indefinite leave of absence from Overstock.com in April 2016 because of Hepatitis C complications, and he returned in July 2016 as CEO after his recovery. The company increasingly lost ground to other e-commerce retailers, especially Amazon and Wayfair; by the time of his resignation in 2019, Byrne had largely given up trying to compete with these larger rivals; he led, beginning in 2017, unsuccessful attempts to find a buyer for Overstock's retail business. In the late 2010s, Overstock built a new $100 million headquarters at the base of Utah's Wasatch Mountains, although several rounds of layoffs had left part of the complex empty.
In 2013, Byrne began to invest in cryptocurrency and blockchain, and Overstock became the first major retailer to accept Bitcoin as a form of payment. Byrne shifted some of Overstock's balance sheet to support Tzero, a new digital stock exchange billed as a "blockchain version of Nasdaq; Tzero's initial coin offering in 2018. In 2022, Intercontinental Exchange acquired a minority stake in tZERO.
As Byrne's focus on the technology intensified in 2017 and 2018, Overstock incurred significant losses—$316 million over two years, more than twice the profits ever made by the company.
Campaign against naked shorting and analysts
In a conference call with analysts in August 2005, Byrne said that "there's been a plan since we were in our teens to destroy our stock, drive it down to $6–$10 ... and even a plan for how the company would then get whacked up." He said that the conspirators were part of a "Miscreants Ball," headed by a "Sith Lord," whom he identified only as "he's one of the master criminals from the 1980s." (but identified in an interview two weeks later as Steve Cohen). Byrne said the conspiracy included hedge funds, journalists, investigators, trial lawyers, the SEC, and Eliot Spitzer.
In 2005, Overstock.com sued hedge fund Rocker Partners and the equities research firm Gradient Analytics (formerly Camelback Research Alliance) in California, alleging they illegally colluded in short-selling the company while paying for negative reports to drive down share prices. Gradient countersued Overstock for libel. A portion of this suit was settled out of court in 2008; Overstock and Gradient dropped their claims against each other after Gradient retracted allegations that Overstock's reporting methods did not comply with rules established by the FASB, stated they believed Overstock.com complied with GAAP standards, and that three directors were independent, and apologized. In December 2009, the suit against Rocker, whose name had since been changed to Copper River Partners, was settled by Copper River paying $5 million.
In 2007, Overstock filed a second lawsuit against a number of large investment banks, alleging that the brokers engaged in illegal naked short selling. The long-running litigation ended in 2016. Overstock's claims against Goldman Sachs were dismissed, but the other brokers, such as Merrill Lynch, settled for $20 million.
Fortune writer Bethany McLean said that Byrne had become a "hero to those who believe that short-sellers are the operators of Wall Street's ultimate black box, predators who destroy companies through innuendo, bullying, political connections—and sometimes through an illegal practice known as 'naked shorting.'" Byrne financed and wrote a full-page advertisement in The Washington Post which said "Naked short selling ... is literally stealing money from the widows, retirees, and other small investors." In a letter to The Wall Street Journal in April 2006, Byrne contended that "blackguards have practiced 'failure to deliver'" of securities, were "destroying businesses and (probably) destabilizing our capital markets." Between 2005 and 2007, Overstock filed two lawsuits relating to the matters under Byrne's direction. After her article appeared in 2005, McLean was attacked by Byrne with such vehemence that she ceased covering him.
Byrne's campaign against naked short selling and others who he feels targeted him and his company attracted both controversy and praise. In addition to criticizing broker-dealers and hedge funds as corrupt, Byrne also criticized the press as corrupt and unable to understand the financial and dot.com industries, and complained that the mainstream media had "demonized" him.
Deep Capture
In part to publicize his thoughts on naked short selling, Byrne founded the website "Deep Capture". In October 2011, Vancouver businessman Altaf Nazerali sued Byrne for libel and defamation in the Supreme Court of British Columbia for articles published on the website. The articles described Nazerali as being involved with "Osama Bin Laden's favorite financier," and that he worked with criminal syndicates including the Colombian drug cartel, the Russian mafia, and various "jihadi terrorist groups" including al Qaeda's Golden Chain. Deep Capture also accused Nazerali of "delivering weapons to war zones in Africa and to the mujahedeen in Afghanistan," of orchestrating "small-time 'pump and dump' scams… bust-outs, death spiral finance and naked short selling," and of carrying out dirty work for "a Pakistani ISI asset" who "works for the Iranian regime." In May 2016, the Court found that the allegations in the Deep Capture articles were libelous and defamatory; Nazerali was awarded $1.2 million in damages, including $500,000 in aggravated damages, $250,000 in punitive damages and $55,000 in special damages. Byrne was permanently banned from publishing these accusations. The Court found Byrne, his employee Mark Mitchell, and Deep Capture "engaged in a calculated and ruthless campaign to inflict as much damage on Mr. Nazerali's reputation as they could achieve." The 102-page decision said "It is clear on the evidence that their intention was to conduct a vendetta in which the truth about Mr. Nazerali himself was of no consequence."
The judgment was upheld on appeal in Canada in August 2018.
Relationship with Maria Butina and resignation as CEO
In 2019, Byrne announced that he was resigning in order to come forward about his involvement with the Deep State. Byrne claimed that he had had a lifelong relationship with the US government, and in that service he had been involved in the investigation of a corrupt federal official (whom he subsequently identified as Hillary Clinton), and been directed to develop a romantic relationship with Russian agent Maria Butina. Byrne claimed that insurer fears about Byrne's "personality and public comments" made the firm uninsurable, and as a result he was leaving the firm.
Byrne resigned his board seat and position as CEO of Overstock.com on August 22, 2019 and Jonathan E. Johnson was appointed CEO by the board.
While throughout Byrne's tenure at Overstock investors opposed Byrne's leadership style, he did not experience an activist shareholder campaign and maintained that his departure was voluntary, rather than forced by the corporation's board.
Byrne sold some of his Overstock stock over the course of 2019, but still remained the company's largest shareholder, with a 14% stake. However, one month after resigning to go public about these federal matters, at the request of board of directors to severe all ties with Overstock, Byrne sold his entire stake in company (more than 4.7 million shares, about $90 million). Byrne wrote on his blog that he would invest the proceeds in gold, silver, and two cryptocurrencies; criticized what he claimed to be "acts of retaliation from the Deep State"; and attacking the SEC as "the Deep State's pets."
After Butina's release from prison, she became involved in Russian national politics. Byrne continued to send her financial gifts, which in 2021 led members of the Russian political opposition to object to her running for political office based on her "foreign financial backing". The "gifts" were investigated in the US by the Business Insider, and Byrne admitted to them, when her candidacy with Vladimir Putin's party United Russia became public.
Political involvement
Pre-2020
Byrne was the largest donor to political causes in Utah during 2003–2006 (giving at least $676,500), his father Jack Byrne was the third-largest, giving (with $510,800). Patrick Byrne was the fourth largest Utah individual donor to Republicans and the fifth largest individual Utah donor to Democrats during the time period. The father-and-son pair each gave a half-million dollars in 2004 for ads attacking Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards, and Patrick Byrne also gave $2,500 to Swift Vets and POWs for Truth, a group that attacked the Vietnam War service of Senator John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee. Nonetheless, Patrick Byrne gave $25,300 to the Utah Democratic Party, $25,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and $1,000 to Democratic congressman Jim Matheson.
Promotion of falsehoods regarding 2020 presidential election
See also: Election denial movement in the United StatesIn 2020, Byrne promoted President Donald Trump's claim that he actually won the U.S. presidential election; Trump, the Republican incumbent, was defeated by Democratic candidate Joe Biden. Along with Steve Bannon and Lin Wood, among others, Byrne was a leading figure in an assortment of allies gathered by Trump to amplify his conspiracy theory claims during his months-long effort to subvert the election results and cling to power.
Over a series of months, Byrne repeatedly promoted bizarre conspiracy claims about the 2020 election results, including in Florida, Texas, and Georgia, pushing the falsehoods at public rallies and on Twitter, variously claiming that Biden, election technology companies, China, or other foreign powers engaged in an elaborate scheme to "steal" the election.
December 2020 meeting with Trump
The Daily Beast wrote of Byrne's association with Trump that he "became one of the strangest characters of the last days of the Trump administration, visiting the White House in December, dressed in jeans and a hoodie, scarfing down meatballs, and bickering with Trump’s legal team and administration officials, as he, Flynn, and Powell together pitched the then-president on their democracy-thwarting schemes." On December 18, 2020, Byrne visited the White House, where he met with Trump, Sidney Powell, lawyer and former Trump administration official Emily Newman, and Trump's former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn. During a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, the four promoted their disproven fraud claims to Trump and sought to develop a plan to try to overturn Trump's election loss, which had occurred more than a month before and been formalized four days before with the Electoral College vote.
The four met Trump without the appointment appearing on Trump's private schedule, and Trump's White House staff had apparently not been informed about the meeting. After encountering opposition during their visit from some Trump officials, such as White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, Byrne later claimed that Trump's advisors were insufficiently loyal to him and were "mendacious mediocrities" who "want him to lose and are lying to him." In a Twitter post, he advised Trump and his allies to "Trust Rudy and Sidney only." Byrne said that he entered the White House on a bluff—"without any invitation"—and describing the quartet's plan as using Powell and Flynn's fame to "bullshit our way past" White House security to get to Trump. According to Byrne, he had enlisted a White House staffer's help in entering the compound, but Byrne "may have been less than clear that there would be some people with" him. During this time, Byrne had hired private jets to fly members of the Proud Boys and other members of far-right groups to Washington DC in order to engage over tactics for overturning the 2020 election. In August 2023, his involvement at the White House meeting led CNN to name him as the potential identity of one of the thirty unindicted co-conspirators numbered in the indictment leading to the Georgia election racketeering prosecution. Byrne's White House meeting with Powell and others was further spotlighted in news coverage of Powell's guilty plea in the Georgia case.
January 2021 attack on the Capitol
Byrne was a speaker at the Trump rally on January 6 in Washington, D.C., which was directly followed by a pro-Trump mob, inflamed by Trump's false election claims, attacking the U.S. Capitol. Soon afterward, Twitter suspended Byrne's account. In July 2022, Byrne agreed to testify before Congress during the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack public hearings on his role in the events leading up to the insurrection. News of the meeting led further news organizations, such as the Washington Post, to publish lengthy profiles of Byrne's election denier activities. In 2023, Byrne implied that he had damaging material on Jack Smith after he was named the special counsel into Trump related criminal matters in social media posts that he later removed.
Republican audit of the 2020 Arizona state ballot count
In April 2021, Byrne became the leading financier of the controversial Arizona State Senate Republicans' botched audit of the presidential vote in Maricopa County, Arizona. Biden won Maricopa County (and the State of Arizona), and the result was confirmed multiple times. Nonetheless, in a bid to try to support Trump's lies about the election, the Arizona Senate's Republican leadership, led by Senate President Karen Fann, launched an audit of the county's election results, run by a small Trump-aligned company called Cyber Ninjas, which has no experience in election audits and is led by a CEO who had previously promoted the false claim that the election was rigged. The haphazard, highly politicized audit process failed to follow standard recounting procedures and was condemned by election experts, Democrats, and some Republicans, including the Republican-dominated Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, who wrote that Arizona Republicans "rented out the once-good name of the Arizona Senate" to "grifters" who were perpetrating a "sham."
Byrne claimed that he had pledged $1 million for his "Fund the Audit" campaign; The America Project, a Florida-based group of which Byrne is CEO and founder, claimed that it raised a total of $1.7 million to support the "audit," including funds sent by social media followers in support of the cause. Byrne stated that he had aspirations to spread his activities to additional counties in other states. In addition to raising money, the group helped to recruit volunteers to count ballots and coordinate with the Arizona state Senate Republicans. Jeff Flake, a former Republican U.S. Senator from Arizona, said Byrne's involvement undermined the "credibility" of the process, adding, "It's damaging to the Republican party and our system of government."
In late September 2021, the results of the ballot count were released, showing that Biden did indeed win the county - with a potentially larger margin than originally counted. Following the release of the report, Byrne doubled down on trying to find other reasons to keep his conspiracy theory afloat, as NBC News published that Byrne was profiting from the continued false accusations of election insecurity.
Financing and promoting claims in blog, books, media, organizations, and film
In 2021, Byrne self-published his book The Deep Rig: How Election Fraud Cost Donald J. Trump the White House, By a Man Who Did Not Vote for Him, which details his experience promoting his various electoral conspiracy theories. The book, largely compiled of text copied-and-pasted from Byrne's blog, was hastily produced, with the print version including hyperlinks and embedded video not useful in the paper printed format. Frontline broadcast an episode at this time that highlighted Byrne's consistent pushback when questions arose the veracity of his theories, without providing further evidence. At this time, Byrne also urged election-fraud believers to sign up to pay him $5 per month, in credit-card recurring charges, to view his social media posts about what he claimed to be "insider knowledge"; this could bring Byrne up to $1.15 million annually in subscription fees.
During the audit in Maricopa County, Arizona, Byrne funded a documentary film, The Deep Rig, created by director Roger R. Richards, to promote his 2020 election-related falsehoods. Richards was previously known for films promoting fantastical claims, such as the belief that the September 11 attacks were caused by a conspiracy by extraterrestrial aliens. Byrne is the key figure in the film, which features interviews from various other conspiracy theorists. The film, based partially on Byrne's self-published book, has also been promoted by fellow conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell, who teamed up with Byrne in 2021 in order to push their respective election theories in concert. The reported budget for the film was $750,000, and the streaming cost for the film was between $45 and $500 per view, which resulted in Rachel Maddow commenting that Byrne "seems to be making a ton of money on that" as well. The film premiered at the Dream City Church megachurch in Phoenix, Arizona, where Byrne spoke alongside the director and, according to The New Yorker, "a local QAnon conspiracist, BabyQ, who claimed to be receiving messages from his future self." The Washington Post stated that the film encouraged right-wing media outlets and social media accounts to promote election denial on behalf of Trump.
In addition to his interviews and other commentaries pushing his election theories, Byrne also funded a group of investigators to try and prove his theory. On a QAnon-related podcast in late November 2020, Byrne said: "I'm a free agent, and I'm self-funded, and I fund this army of various strange people." He said he envisioned himself as the protagonist leading a team of hackers in a future Hollywood film on his efforts. Byrne promoted his election-related falsehoods on pro-Trump far-right outlets such as One America News Network and Newsmax, which attracted viewers and readers by their willingness to go further than Fox News in promoting Trump's bid to subvert the election result.
Byrne's leadership of the "American Project" reflected his growing influence on the Trumpist right, with the organization playing a major role, in conjunction with other right-wing groups, in promoting election disinformation. Byrne was also briefly the CEO of "Defending the Republic," a fundraising organization founded by Powell that purported to raise funds to fight for "election integrity" but was used instead to Powell's personal legal bills to support her defense against a $1.3 billion defamation suit filed against Powell by Dominion Voting Systems in connection with her promotion of conspiracy theories. In August 2021, Byrne was then added to the defamation lawsuit alongside far-right news outlets OAN and Newsmax filed by Dominion, linking the defamation to Byrne's own pushing of election lies. In the suit, Dominion stated that Byrne had decided that the election "would be stolen" months ahead of the 2020 contest. Byrne and the two news outlets were sued for $1.73 billion each.
In 2022, PBS reported that Byrne had been informed that several of the persons he promoted as stating that Trump was defrauded were lying, but that he chose to promote their words anyways. He also told a reporter from PBS that he "could live with" potentially "destroying the country", referring to the United States. During the 2022 Midterm Elections, Byrne was a major donor to candidates that ran on the premise that the 2020 election was not legitimate. Following the election, he again financed efforts by candidates to overturn their lost election bids, including Kari Lake.
In June 2024, tax filing documents which were recovered by Issue One revealed that Byrne and Michael Flynn's non-profit group American Project made money off of conspiracy theories. In 2022, Byrne himself collected a salary of $95,000 from America Project, and the organization itself was able to pay a real estate linked to Byrne $192,000. This money revenue was made in spite of the fact that Byrne previously told the January 6 Committee that he did not make money from The American Project. Other people involved with the organization had been paid large salaries as well, In 2024, Byrne threatened to torture law enforcement involved in his law suits with "piano wire and a blowtorch". That year he also admitted to hacking the government computers of Venezuela used in their elections, confirming reports from the country that he had been involved in what was described by Byrne as criminal activity against the regime, which he stated included "at least one act of war". A report revealed that in 2024, his fundraising efforts including providing financing for far right political groups in the United States.
Anti-vaccination beliefs
In the context of his election conspiracy theories, Byrne has also written posts pushing alternative cures to COVID-19 and questioning the role of vaccines on his blog Deep Capture. He has stated that COVID-19 vaccines were either "poisoning Americans" or "putting miniature Covid-19 spike protein factories in our arms to wreak havoc with ovaries and balls". Both claims have been proven false by the medical community. On the same blog, Byrne insisted that the vaccine push has its "origin in political decisions made in Washington, DC," and " little to do with what is best for the health of Americans, and everything to do with political considerations of a regime that came to power in a rigged election." In September 2021, Byrne became a part of a travelling anti-vaccination touring group called the "ReAwaken America" tour that also featured Flynn and Lindell. Byrne travelled with the group to multiple US states with a message that COVID-19 was not a threat and that treatment of it was unhealthy—again something long disproven by actual medical doctors. Admission to their events ran between $250 and US$500 per person. He is one of the largest donors to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign for the 2024 Democratic Party presidential nomination, who is a noted anti-vaxer.
Accusation of defamation against Hunter Biden
In November 2023, Hunter Biden filed a defamation lawsuit against Byrne in the State of California, following interview comments and social media posts Byrne made accusing Biden of corruption involving Iran. More than 100,000 individuals reviewed his comments according to the lawsuit. The suit further stated that Byrne had been informed that comments on Biden had been shown to be false, and Byrne refused to retract his comments. In addition to this, Byrne used social media posts to attempt to link his comments to conspiracy theories surrounding the Hunter Biden laptop controversy and attempted to blame him for the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel. In September 2024, Byrne stated that he "fled" the United States for Dubai and thus would not provide an in person deposition in the US as a part of the suit. Byrne's lawyers claimed further that he had gone to Dubai in response to a perceived threat from the Government of Venezuela.
Education policy
Byrne served for ten years as the chairman of the Milton & Rose Friedman Foundation, at the request of Milton Friedman. The non-profit organization was founded by Milton and Rose Friedman and promotes school vouchers and other forms of school choice. After the agreed upon ten years, he changed the name and stepped down.
In 2005, Byrne provided financial backing to the Class Education, whose goal is to change state laws to require schools to spend at least 65 percent of their operating budgets on classroom expenses. Proponents of the standard contend that it would free up money to increase teachers' salaries without requiring tax increases. Critics say that many services deemed "non-classroom" are necessary for education, including librarians, school nurses, guidance counselors, food service workers and school bus drivers to which Byrne responded that funding was being sucked up District, County, State, and Federal layers the public did not see.
Byrne and his family contributed most of the funds in support of House Bill 148 in Utah, a bill that would allow the state to provide funding vouchers for students who decide to leave public schools for private schools. In January 2008, it was reported that Byrne and his parents contributed about $4 million to the pro-voucher campaign, or three-quarters of its $5.4 million funding and equal the entire total spent by the opposing side. When that bill was defeated in a statewide referendum (62% opposing vs. 38% favoring), the Salt Lake Tribune reported that Byrne "called the referendum a 'statewide IQ test' that Utahns failed." He said, "They don't care enough about their kids. They care an awful lot about this system, this bureaucracy, but they don't care enough about their kids to think outside the box."
Byrne criticized Utah governor Jon Huntsman for not sufficiently supporting the voucher campaign. Huntsman had before he was elected stated that he was "going to be the voucher governor", and Byrne had donated $75,000 to Huntsman's campaign for governor in 2004. When Huntsman was elected, however, he went missing from the debate, and Byrne told the Associated Press that he would now bankroll anyone who could defeat Huntsman at the polls, "even a communist".
Personal life
Shortly after his graduation from Dartmouth, Byrne suffered from testicular cancer; he recovered, but three bouts of the cancer in his 20s left him hospitalized nearly three years and in convalescence for three more. He has been a life-long practitioner of martial arts, holding a black belt in taekwondo, and remains an avid SCUBA diver, skier, and skydiver. He once owned several homes in Sarasota, Florida, which he purchased through a company called Manatee Investments LLC, but he has since sold them.
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