Nelson Bunker Hunt was a major financial supporter of the John Birch Society, a conservative group active during the Cold War era.
He was the son of H. L. Hunt and the brother of Lamar Hunt. The Hunt family became one of the wealthiest in the United States through oil ventures. Nelson’s nephew, Clark Hunt, is the owner of the Kansas City Chiefs.
H. L. Hunt also built a significant media presence. His radio program Facts Forum was broadcast on more than 200 stations and was moderated by Dan Smoot, a former FBI agent. The program was presented as offering “both sides” of national issues, though it reflected strongly conservative viewpoints. Hunt additionally provided financial backing for Smoot’s independent television broadcasts, where Smoot promoted anti-communist and states’ rights positions.
Within Hunt’s organization, security was overseen by Paul Rothermel, another former FBI agent who served as both legal counsel and head of security.
Leave a Reply