By James Crowley
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Lincoln Project co-founder Jennifer Horn resigned Friday from the organization. Shortly after her resignation from the anti-Trump Republican PAC, the Lincoln Project released a statement saying that prior to her resignation the former New Hampshire Republican Party chair had made large demands, including requesting a large signing bonus.
Horn's resignation comes following allegations that fellow co-founder John Weaver had sexually harassed young men online, according to a January 31 New York Times report. In a statement received by Newsweek explaining her departure, Horn cited the allegations against Weaver.
"John Weaver's grotesque and inappropriate behavior, coupled with his longstanding deceptions concerning that behavior, are sickening," she said. "It is clear at this point that my views about how the Lincoln Project's efforts are managed, and the best way to move the Lincoln Project forward into the future in the wake of these awful events, have diverged."
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Horn's full statement is below:
Upon careful consideration, I have terminated my relationship with the Lincoln Project, effective immediately. John Weaver's grotesque and inappropriate behavior, coupled with his longstanding deceptions concerning that behavior, are sickening. It is clear at this point that my views about how the Lincoln Project's efforts are managed, and the best way to move the Lincoln Project forward into the future in the wake of these awful events, have diverged. I originally joined the Lincoln Project because I recognized Donald Trump as an existential threat to our country and our way of life. As a conservative woman and the only high-ranking Republican Party official on the Lincoln Project team, both as former New Hampshire Republican State Party Chairwoman and former member of RNC Executive Committee, I have brought my credibility, integrity and professionalism to the Lincoln Project's efforts every day to defeat Donald Trump and Trumpism. I have given that fight every ounce of my heart and soul during this past year, and the success experienced in that fight is undeniable but also unfinished. While I end my association with the Lincoln Project today, I remain fully committed to fighting Trumpism going forward, to preserving our democratic Republic and to giving a voice to those who have none.
In a tweeted statement on Friday, the Lincoln Project listed requests and demands it said Horn had made prior to her resignation, saying that two days prior Horn had requested a $250,000 "signing bonus" and a consulting contract worth $40,000 per month. The statement also said that in December 2020, Horn had demanded a board seat, television show, a podcast to host, and a staff, all of which were rejected by the Lincoln Project's board. "She also stated her goal was 'to establish immediate and long-term financial security,'" the statement read.
Despite noting the timing that Horn's most recent request for a hefty signing bonus came "at a moment when the Lincoln Project was under attack from the Trump organization and their propaganda allies", the statement concluded by wishing her well. "We immediately accepted Jennifer Horn's resignation from the Lincoln Project. We wish her the best in her future endeavors," the statement read.
Fellow founder Steve Schmidt tweeted about Horn's resignation, noting most of the same things that the PAC's statement said. He said that he'd voted against Horn's December demands and "would do so again," before giving her his best wishes. "I wish Jennifer well. We are in the Democracy fight. Our values diverged. The fight continues," he tweeted.
Following The Times' report on Weaver, the Lincoln Project shared a statement denouncing the co-founder, calling him "a predator, a liar, and an abuser," while offering sympathy to his victims. "The totality of his deceptions are beyond anything any of us could have imagined as we are absolutely shocked and sickened by it. Like so many, we have been betrayed and deceived by John Weaver," the statement said in part.
Newsweek reached out to the Lincoln Project via email for comment.
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