Bill Pulte's Family Has Decades-Long Ties to The Fellowship, Secretive Christian Organization
Incoming acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte's family has had extensive connections over two generations to The Fellowship Foundation, a secretive Christian organization that conducts global diplomacy and runs the National Prayer Breakfast. Pulte's grandfather was a close friend of Fellowship leader Doug Coe and gave tens of millions to charities with Fellowship ties, though the article found no direct evidence that Pulte himself has personal connections to the organization. The revelation raises questions about potential influence given that other Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have documented ties to The Fellowship.
According to public records and documents obtained by Salon, Bill Pulte's grandfather, once one of the world's wealthiest men, maintained a close friendship with Doug Coe, who led The Fellowship Foundation for decades before his 2017 death. The grandfather donated tens of millions to charities with Fellowship connections and attended prayer breakfasts with world leaders and former President George W. Bush. Pulte's father Mark has also maintained involvement in religious charitable giving with Fellowship ties. However, the article explicitly states it found no public evidence that Pulte himself has direct personal connections to The Fellowship, noting that his philanthropic focus has been on giving cash to individuals rather than theocratic organizations. The article contextualizes this within a broader pattern, noting that other Trump administration officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Senate Majority Leader John Thune have documented ties to The Fellowship and its C Street residence.
What's missing
The article does not provide Bill Pulte's own public statements or response regarding his family's ties to The Fellowship or his personal views on the organization. Additionally, while the article describes The Fellowship's activities and influence, it does not include perspectives from The Fellowship itself or detailed explanation of its stated mission and charitable work.
What different sources said
- SalonLeft
Bill Pulte’s family has ties to “The Family,” secretive Christian org with vast political influence
Related
US Accepts Nearly 6,000 Refugees in 2025, Almost Entirely from South Africa Under Trump Policy
The United States has admitted 5,948 refugees so far in 2025, with all but three originating from South Africa, following a Trump administration memo prioritizing white South Africans for refugee status. The policy reflects Trump's claims that white South Africans face racial persecution and genocide, assertions that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has repeatedly disputed. The shift represents a dramatic reduction from the 100,060 refugees admitted in 2024 and reflects the administration's lowered annual cap of 7,500.
DOJ Reportedly Scales Back Election Integrity Operations Ahead of 2026 Midterms
The Department of Justice has not established its traditional 24-hour 'command center' at FBI headquarters to handle Election Day complaints and emergencies, according to reporting from NOTUS, despite the 2026 midterms being five months away. The center has historically been staffed by public corruption prosecutors and investigators to coordinate responses to election irregularities and crimes. Current and former DOJ personnel have expressed concern about this decision alongside reports of canceled election integrity training and the unfilled position of Election Crimes Branch head.
Trump Denies Breaking Campaign Promises on Wars, Claims Iran Conflict Is Not 'Endless'
President Trump denied in an NBC interview that he broke campaign promises by engaging in military conflict with Iran, claiming he never guaranteed avoiding all wars. He distinguished between wars and "endless" conflicts, asserting the Iran situation would soon resolve over nuclear material negotiations. The statement contradicts his 2024 campaign messaging where he promised to "stop wars" and claimed conflicts like Ukraine's would not occur under his leadership.