Joe Ricketts
Conservative GOP mega-donor; evolution from anti-Trump primary funder to Trump-aligned giving.
Who they are.
Founder of TD Ameritrade (now part of Charles Schwab) and patriarch of the Ricketts family, which owns the Chicago Cubs. A consistent Republican mega-donor since the 2012 cycle, Joe Ricketts has funded both anti-Trump primary efforts (early 2016) and, subsequently, Trump-aligned vehicles. His son Pete Ricketts serves as US Senator (R-NE).
The chain.
- Ending Spending Action FundFounder & primary funder
- Senate Leadership FundMajor donor
- Republican Governors AssociationTop donor
- Anti-Trump GOP primary effort (early 2016)$5M+ via Our Principles PAC against Trump2016 · Trump won 2016 GOP nomination
- Pete Ricketts (R, NE — Joe Ricketts's son)Bundled family + Ending Spending support across NE-Gov and Senate races2014-2024 · Pete Ricketts elected Governor, later appointed to US Senate
- Donald Trump (R, President 2024)Multi-million across MAGA Inc. and aligned vehicles after 2016 reset2020-2024 · Won 2024 general election
The targets.
Sources.
Questions about Joe Ricketts.
Did Joe Ricketts try to stop Trump in 2016?
Yes. In early 2016 Joe Ricketts funded Our Principles PAC, the largest anti-Trump GOP primary super PAC, with reported giving of around $5 million. Trump publicly attacked the Ricketts family at the time. After Trump secured the nomination, the family realigned and became significant supporters of Trump's general-election effort and subsequent administrations.
What is the Ricketts family's connection to politics?
Beyond Joe Ricketts's direct giving, the family is politically active through son Pete Ricketts (R-NE), who served as Nebraska Governor (2015-2023) and was appointed to the US Senate in January 2023 to fill Ben Sasse's seat. The family also owns the Chicago Cubs and uses ownership as a high-visibility civic platform.
Who founded TD Ameritrade?
Joe Ricketts founded the firm that became TD Ameritrade in 1975 as First Omaha Securities, building it into one of the largest online discount brokerages. TD Ameritrade was acquired by Charles Schwab in 2020 for approximately $26 billion. The acquisition is the foundation of Joe Ricketts's personal fortune.