In a bombshell thread posted on February 11, 2025, X user @DataRepublican, a self-described "tool builder" with over 883,000 followers, unveiled what he calls the "Uniparty Unmasked." The post, which garnered over 61,000 likes, 27,000 reposts, and 5.5 million views, accuses seven non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of embodying a bipartisan establishment elite that equates itself with "democracy" while siphoning taxpayer dollars.
The thread begins with a detailed flowchart highlighting funding flows among the NGOs, sourced from IRS Form 990 filings and federal grant data. Key entities include the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), with $362 million in taxpayer funds; the National Democratic Institute (NDI), receiving $167 million; and the International Republican Institute (IRI), at $131 million. Other organizations like the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS), International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), and Internews Network are depicted as interconnected, with arrows showing passthrough grants totaling hundreds of millions from USAID and the Department of State.
She argues these Cold War-era groups, originally designed to counter communism, have pivoted to self-preservation. "To these NGOs, ‘democracy’ means themselves," he writes, linking their narratives to media portrayals of political threats, such as framing Donald Trump's re-election as anti-democratic. The thread details bipartisan leadership: IRI boasts Republicans like Senators Lindsey Graham and Mitt Romney, while NDI features Democrats including Stacey Abrams and Donna Brazile. Expenses are scrutinized, with IRI's audit revealing $38 million in salaries and $12 million in travel, raising questions about accountability.
The poster credits cybersecurity expert Mike Benz for inspiration and emphasizes his role as a researcher using public data. Follow-up posts expand on each NGO's mission, from media training (Internews) to labor rights (Solidarity Center, an eighth entity mentioned later). A February 25 addendum includes an updated diagram, warning of "retirement" NGOs for ex-politicians.
The thread sparked broader media coverage, including ZeroHedge dubbing it a "DC Swamp Uniparty" reveal and a podcast interview on The Rod and Greg Show.
Firearms News linked similar tools to anti-Second Amendment funding, amplifying concerns over government-NGO ties.
This revelation fuels debates on foreign aid transparency and elite influence. With billions in active grants, the "Uniparty" narrative challenges the bipartisan consensus on democracy promotion abroad.
