Richard Hanania, a prominent conservative writer, used the pseudonym Richard Hoste in the early 2010s to write racist articles supporting white supremacy and eugenics. He argued that Black people are inherently less intelligent and more prone to crime than white people. Though he has moderated his rhetoric, Hanania still maintains racist views and cites white supremacists in his work. Powerful tech billionaires and millionaires have supported Hanania’s rise, funding his think tank and promoting his upcoming book, despite his racist past. Hanania’s story shows how extremist views can gain mainstream acceptance through the backing of wealthy benefactors.