By Trendsetter Tribune 
DALLAS — A rookie congressional candidate in North Texas has become the center of a national firestorm after federal filings revealed he is being bankrolled by a secretive network of hard-right billionaires and “neofascist” intellectuals. Jace Yarbrough, a candidate in a crowded nine-way Republican primary, has made headlines not just for his funding, but for his refusal to distance himself from extremist labels.
Reporting from The Guardian on February 20, 2026, highlights Yarbrough as a key figure in the “militant” wing of the MAGA movement, positioned as a potential “lawgiver” for the far right.
The “Warlord” Donors
Yarbrough’s campaign is fueled by some of the most influential and controversial figures in the American “New Right.” The donor list includes:
- Peter Thiel: The tech billionaire and venture capitalist who famously backed JD Vance and Blake Masters in 2022.
- Thomas Klingenstein: The board chair of the Claremont Institute, a think tank that has become the intellectual hub for “nationalist” policy.
- Charles Haywood: A wealthy industrialist and blogger who has gained notoriety for publicly expressing a desire to be a “warlord” during what he believes is an inevitable American societal collapse.
- Nate Fischer: A venture capitalist with documented links to high-level administration officials and the secretive Society for American Civic Renewal (SACR).
“Nazi-ish” and “Unapologetic”: Yarbrough’s Rhetoric
During a recent candidate forum, Yarbrough addressed the criticism regarding his extremist positions with a defiance that has stunned moderate Republicans.
“Critics may call my approach to politics ‘bigoted and backward and oppressive and Nazi-ish,’ but I am past trying to placate that in any way, shape, or form.” — Jace Yarbrough, Feb 2026
Sociologists and extremism experts, including Professor John Bellamy Foster, have warned that Yarbrough represents a shift toward a “neofascist” political movement that seeks to fundamentally alter the U.S. legal system.
The Trump Imprimatur
Following the surge of billionaire donations in December 2025, Yarbrough received a formal endorsement from Donald Trump on Truth Social. This endorsement has propelled him to the front of the nine-way primary race, despite his lack of previous political office.
| Key Backer | Affiliation | Known For |
| Peter Thiel | Tech Billionaire | Funding “Nationalist” GOP candidates. |
| Thomas Klingenstein | Claremont Institute | “The Cold Civil War” theory. |
| Charles Haywood | The Worthy House | Advancing the “Warlord” aesthetic/ideology. |
| Donald Trump | U.S. President | Full endorsement via Truth Social. |
A Regional Civil War
The rise of Yarbrough coincides with a “civil war” within the Texas GOP. Established figures like State Representative James Talarico (who is currently seeing a “Colbert Bump” in his own Senate race) have warned that the influence of billionaire megadonors like the Wilks Brothers and Tim Dunn is turning Texas into a laboratory for Christian nationalism.
Yarbrough’s candidacy is seen as the latest “front line” in this battle, where deep pockets are being used to replace traditional conservatives with candidates who openly embrace the “extremist” label.