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In a packed, vibrant room buzzing with energy at the Hopkins County Republican Headquarters in Sulphur Springs, Texas, on October 14, 2025, political consultant Ethan Sabo delivered a bombshell talk that peeled back the layers of America’s shadowy political underbelly. Speaking to guests and members of the Bright Star Republicans—a local TFRW group—Sabo, a self-described “agent of chaos” turned whistleblower, laid bare his firsthand experiences with “dark money” nonprofits. What started as a routine meeting, complete with prayer, pledges, and financial reports, morphed into a gripping exposé on how billions in untraceable funds are corrupting elections, harassing families, and eroding the Republic’s foundations. Sabo’s message: The game is rigged by billionaire puppeteers on both sides, and grassroots patriots must wake up before it’s too late.
Sabo’s journey into this world began innocently enough. By trade an interior designer (a nod to his family business, Haus of Sabo), he moonlit as a social media influencer with over a million followers in 2018, working alongside InfoWars personalities like Joe Biggs. A lucrative offer pulled him deeper: Join a Dallas-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit to “clean house” in the Texas Legislature by targeting so-called RINOs (Republicans In Name Only). Enticed by wealth and influence, Sabo signed on—only to sign a binding NDA that still haunts him today, complete with recent threats prompting security at the event.
Sabo’s talk hinged on the 2010 Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC, which equated corporations with people and unleashed unlimited spending in politics. “Corporations are people, and technically they are, but then they’re not,” Sabo quipped. This decision birthed Super PACs and amplified 501(c)(4) organizations—social welfare groups that can lobby and influence elections without disclosing donors.
Key differences Sabo highlighted:
501(c)(3): Charitable entities (e.g., churches, educational groups). Donations are tax-deductible, but no political endorsements or lobbying.
501(c)(4): Advocacy powerhouses. No tax deductions for donors, but unlimited political spending, anonymous funding via shell companies, and freedom to endorse candidates.
Dark money flows like this: Billionaires donate to a 501(c)(4), which funnels cash to Super PACs or consultants like Sabo. Identities stay hidden—donors appear as “$1” on filings. Republicans pioneered this, Sabo revealed, citing the Koch brothers’ post-Obama inauguration plot in Palm Springs to challenge campaign finance laws. Democrats followed suit, with groups like Arabella Advisors mirroring conservative giants like Americans for Prosperity.
The result? Over $1 billion poured into East Texas alone via dark money, per Sabo. Nationally, it’s a bipartisan plague: “Both parties are just as guilty… we’re just causing the public to hate us more.”
Sabo didn’t mince words on the dirty tricks. His role? Disrupt opponents through psychological warfare. During the “woke” backlash, his team targeted board members at institutions like Texas Children’s Hospital for allowing gender transitions. “We found out who their wife was, where they worked, what country club they went to… We paid people to follow them.”
Protests weren’t organic—they were staged. Sabo recounted hiring kids off Dallas streets for $200 a day to wave signs outside salons or schools, enraging spouses: “The idea was to piss the wife off enough… no sex, you’re not talking to my kids.” Paid agitators, often minorities for “diversity optics,” fueled escalation. “For every protest we did, more came from the other side,” he said, drawing from the Communist Manifesto playbook: Harass families, sow division.
In Texas politics, this meant primary “anti-voucher” Republicans disguised as RINOs. School vouchers failed initially due to rural GOP resistance fearing public school gutting. Billionaire backlash? Primary them with lies. “There were some really good legislators… primaried over absolute lies.” Sabo admitted his complicity: “I was looking back on some of the work, and I started crying.” He keeps “boxes of receipts” as insurance, vowing to fight back against his ex-firm if something ever happens to him—insurance for Sabo’s partner in life and work to use.
Not all dark money is evil, Sabo conceded. It protects donor privacy on controversial issues, enables rapid mobilization (attracting youth with fat paychecks), and balances party power. But the cons dominate: Zero transparency breeds corruption. Anonymous mailers sling mud—e.g., accusing officials of absent votes or “DEI policies” that never existed. Foreign meddling? Absolutely, mostly left-leaning, but rules bend both ways.
Sabo’s whistleblowing comes at a cost. Threats via phone, sightings of former bosses, even his mother’s tears post-Charlie Kirk assassination attempt (Sabo got a personal call from Trump afterward). “I’m tired of hiding in the shadows,” he declared, but fears for his family persist. He left Dallas for Sulphur Springs to escape, yet the shadows follow.
Reform ideas? Support the DISCLOSE Act to mandate donor revelations; redefine “social welfare” to curb abuse. Sabo opposes public financing (“tax dollars to politicians”) but urges awareness. Grassroots solutions: Call out lies, denounce dark funds publicly, educate Gen Z—they’re surprisingly conservative. “boots on the ground” trumps digital noise; involve youth early, ditch boring GOP tactics. Sabo also stated that 45% of the gay vote turned out for Trump in 2020, which was remarkable.
Audience interaction underscored the rot. Local figures like Jill Dutton and Brent Money shared mailer horrors for the race for House District 2 Texas House of Representatives—baseless attacks from anonymous sources. “Why can’t we close the loophole that says you can flat out lie?” Sabo asked. Q&A revealed AIPAC’s sway (good and bad as a “Jewish lobby”), billionaire kickbacks, and insider trading echoes (e.g., Bidens, Politicians).
Sabo’s talk wasn’t partisan bile—it’s a wake-up call. Dark money isn’t just cash; it’s control. Politicians become multimillionaires via influence peddling, not salaries. “You don’t get rich by having a measly politician’s job.” Foreign entities erode from within; tech giants like Zuckerberg cozy up for narrative dominance.
Yet hope flickers in transparency: “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.” Sabo urged rejecting NDAs’ silence, empowering consultants to expose truths. To grassroots warriors: Vote informed, mentor youth, demand accountability. “The real losers are us,” he warned, but united patriots can dismantle the machine.
In an era where “RINO” means any MAGA dissenter and cancel culture plagues the right, Sabo’s revelations demand action. Watch HBO’s The Dark Money Game, support disclosure laws, and remember: Awareness is the first strike against the hidden hand. As Sabo fights fire with fire, his story reminds us—the Republic’s future hinges on exposing the strings before the puppets dance us into oblivion.
A heartfelt thank you to the Bright Star Republicans for their unwavering commitment and hospitality in hosting this pivotal event, igniting a beacon of truth and unity for our Republic’s future. America’s not for sale—yet. Fight back.
Crystal Marroquin greets everyone and asks if everyone is good.
Crystal Marroquin requests Bobby Harris to open with a prayer.
Bobby Harris thanks God for the country and prays for the meeting’s success.
Crystal Marroquin leads the Pledge of Allegiance.
Crystal Marroquin introduces important people in the room, including elected officials.
Kasey Knotts provides the financial report for September, detailing no deposits, membership dues, and expenses for buttons.
The ending balance is $6,873.88.
Kasey Knotts reviews the minutes from the September 9, 2025, meeting, including introductions, pledges, and presentations.
Mention of Mark Lee Dixon’s presentation on sanctuary studies for the unborn and his subsequent ordinance presentation to the Hopkins County Commissioners Court.
Eric Simeon’s presentation as the district Deputy Director for US Representative Pat Fallon is noted.
Kasey Knotts discusses upcoming officer elections and the need for nominations.
Crystal Marroquin is stepping down as president, and nominations are being taken for all officer positions.
Kasey Knotts emphasizes the importance of keeping the momentum going, especially with midterms approaching.
Crystal Marroquin stresses the importance of keeping meetings under one hour.
Crystal Marroquin introduces Ethan Sabo, who is a political consultant and former interior designer.
Ethan Sabo explains his transition from working for 501(c)(4) dark money nonprofits to becoming a political consultant.
He discusses his moral conflicts with his previous work and his decision to retire from it.
Ethan Sabo emphasizes that he is there to inform and share his experiences, not to convince anyone.
Ethan Sabo explains the concept of dark money and its origins, including the Citizens United vs. FEC ruling.
He details the differences between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofits, highlighting the lack of transparency in 501(c)(4) donations.
Ethan Sabo discusses the influence of dark money on elections and the public’s loss of trust in politics.
He shares his personal experiences with dark money, including being threatened for speaking out.
Ethan Sabo discusses the pros and cons of dark money, including its role in protecting donor privacy and enabling rapid mobilization.
He emphasizes the need for transparency and the potential for public campaign financing as a solution.
Ethan Sabo shares his personal reflection on the importance of sunlight as the best disinfectant.
He highlights the need for awareness and understanding to reclaim the republic.
Ethan Sabo answers questions from the audience, including the impact of dark money on elections and the role of foreign entities.
Discussion on the involvement of billionaires and the influence of dark money on both political parties.
Ethan Sabo shares his thoughts on the importance of grassroots activism and the role of young people in politics.
The conversation touches on the challenges of rebuilding public trust and the need for transparency in political donations.
When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.
– Thomas Jefferson, Founding Father, U.S. president 1801 -1809
