In the shadowy corridors of political influence, a little-known group called Ziklag has emerged wielding significant power in the lead-up to the 2024 US elections.
Investigative reports by ProPublica and Documented state that this secretive Christian nationalist organisation — founded in the wake of Donald Trump’s election in 2016 by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Ken Eldred — operates with a singular vision: to reshape American society through a dominionist agenda rooted in biblical principles.
Ziklag’s activities are heavily focused on mobilising Republican voters and influencing elections through various initiatives, including “cleaning” electoral rolls. Its goals and strategies are similar to the controversial ‘Project 2025’, which also seeks Trump’s return to the White House so the dream of a ‘Christian America’ can be realised.
What’s in a name?
Ziklag is named after the biblical city where David found refuge during his conflict with King Saul. The biblical Ziklag symbolises a place of refuge where David planned his strategies and launched attacks against Saul.
Similarly, the modern Ziklag serves as a hub for ultra conservative wealthy Christians who perceive themselves as being under siege in a cultural and political battle against “devilish” secularism.
They view their organisation as a means to regroup and strategise for reclaiming influence over American culture and politics, echoing David’s experience of seeking safety and planning counterattacks against Saul.
Lance Wallnau, a self-proclaimed Christian nationalist and influential evangelist, is a major force behind Ziklag and his rhetoric often frames Trump as a modern-day Cyrus — a flawed leader chosen by God to “restore Christian America”. Wallnau has been instrumental in connecting the Christian right with political movements, particularly during Donald Trump’s presidency. He was the first Christian evangelical to endorse Trump when he ran for the White House in 2016.
In his talks to supporters and voters, Wallnau often refers to Left-leaning individuals as “demons”, warning white Christians that if they do not vote for Trump then they “are letting the Devil dominate your culture”.
Ziklag frames its mission as a spiritual battle against what it perceives as the forces of darkness. Their strategy documents emphasise the need for prayer and biblical guidance in policy decisions, reflecting a desire to intertwine faith with governance.
Eldred himself has often referred to an “evil force” manifesting in government, which he claimed was “controlling and diabolical”. This language reflects Eldred’s broader narrative about the need for Christians to combat what they perceive as dark spiritual forces influencing political structures.
Who is funding it?
At the core of Ziklag’s funding strategy is its exclusive membership, which consists solely of individuals with a net worth exceeding $25 million. This elite group includes some of the wealthiest conservative Christian families and individuals in the United States, such as:
- Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein: Their net worth is approximately $3.8 billion each. Co-founders of Uline, a leading distributor of shipping and packaging supplies. The Uihleins have been significant donors to conservative causes, reportedly contributing over $190 million to Republican campaigns and organizations throughout their philanthropic efforts. They have been major backers of former President Donald Trump and other GOP candidates.
- David Green: Has an estimated net-worth of $6 billion. Founder of Hobby Lobby, a national arts-and-crafts retail chain.
- Jeff Yass: Has a net worth of around $3 billion. He is the founder of a successful hedge fund, known for his contributions to educational reform and conservative political action. Yass has been a significant donor to groups that align with Ziklag’s goals, particularly those focused on promoting school choice and other conservative educational policies.
- The Koch family: Charles Koch’s estimated net worth is around $62 billion, while the Koch family collectively is worth significantly more. Koch Industries, one of the largest privately held companies in the US, involved in diverse industries from oil refining to chemicals.
- The DeVos family: The family has a net worth of approximately $5 billion. The family made its fortune through Amway, a multi-level marketing company.
In 2022, Ziklag reported revenues of approximately $12 million, demonstrating its capacity to mobilise substantial resources for its agenda. This funding is not merely for operational costs; it is strategically allocated to various initiatives aimed at influencing elections and public policy.
Influencing 2024 US presidential elections
Ziklag’s immediate goal is to influence the upcoming 2024 elections through three primary operations: Steeplechase, Watchtower, and Checkmate.
- Steeplechase: This initiative focuses on mobilising church congregations to encourage voter turnout among conservative Christians. By leveraging religious institutions as platforms for political engagement, Ziklag aims to galvanise support for Republican candidates and ensure high participation rates among its base.
- Watchtower: The Watchtower project seeks to rally voters around opposition to transgender rights, framing this issue as a critical battleground for traditional values. By demonising transgender individuals and portraying them as threats to societal norms, Ziklag hopes to motivate conservative voters who may feel disillusioned or exhausted by Trump’s presidency. It aims to create a sense of urgency and mobilisation around “parental rights” and related policies. The strategy includes using media and community outreach to reinforce these narratives among conservative voters, potentially drawing them to the polls
- Checkmate: Operation Checkmate is perhaps the most controversial aspect of Ziklag’s strategy. It focuses on “election integrity” efforts that involve purging over one million voters from rolls in key battleground states. This initiative includes funding groups that promote stringent voting regulations and challenge voter eligibility—efforts that critics argue are designed to disenfranchise marginalised communities. Ziklag has pledged around $800,000 to support the development and implementation of Eagle AI, a software designed to automate mass challenges to voter registrations.
Beyond immediate electoral goals, Ziklag envisions a long-term transformation of American society that includes a 30-year plan to embed Christian values across all spheres of influence.
Seven Mountain Mandate
Ziklag’s long-term goals extend far beyond the immediate objectives of the 2024 elections, aiming for a profound transformation of American society through a framework known as the Seven Mountain Mandate.
This vision encompasses a 30-year plan to embed Christian values across various sectors of public life, fundamentally reshaping the cultural and political landscape of the US.
Ziklag’s stated mission is to “take dominion over the Seven Mountains” of society:
- Religion: Promoting a Christian worldview as the foundation for national identity and policy.
- Family: Advocating for traditional family structures and opposing movements that challenge these norms.
- Education: Pushing for homeschooling and private school options while dismantling public education systems perceived as secular or liberal.
- Entertainment: Aiming for a significant portion of media content to reflect Christian values, with goals such as ensuring that 80% of films produced are rated G or PG.
- Government: Establishing policies that align with biblical principles, including opposition to abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.
- Business: Encouraging Christian ethics in business practices and promoting companies that align with their values.
- Science and Technology: Shaping scientific discourse to reflect Christian beliefs, particularly regarding issues like climate change and bioethics.
Are Ziklag’s activities illegal?
Ziklag’s influence and activities raise significant legal concerns, particularly regarding the potential violation of laws governing tax-exempt organisations. As a 501(c)(3) charity, Ziklag is prohibited from engaging in political campaigning or intervening in elections on behalf of any candidate. However, their operations suggest a calculated effort to manipulate electoral processes and promote a specific political agenda.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) designates organisations as 501(c)(3) charities based on their charitable purposes, which include religious, educational, and scientific activities.
In exchange for this status, these organisations must adhere to strict regulations:
- Prohibition on political activity: 501(c)(3) organizations cannot participate in political campaigns or endorse candidates. Engaging in such activities risks losing their tax-exempt status.
- Transparency requirements: While they are not required to disclose their donors publicly, they must operate transparently regarding their activities and expenditures related to charitable purposes.
Legal experts state Ziklag’s aggressive strategies aimed at purging voters and promoting a specific political agenda raise serious concerns about compliance with regulations designed to ensure the separation of charitable activities from political campaigning.
