Who Is Hansjorg Wyss and Why Should Missouri Care?
Most people in Missouri have never heard of Hansjorg Wyss. That is exactly how he likes it.
Wyss is a Swiss billionaire who has quietly become one of the most influential funders of left-wing activism in the United States.
He is not an American citizen.
He cannot donate to political campaigns.
Still, he’s poured hundreds of millions of dollars into nonprofit networks that shape elections, rewrite laws, and influence ballot campaigns across the country.
Missouri has become one of the primary battlegrounds for these efforts.
Voters deserve to know who is trying to shape our laws from thousands of miles away.
A Swiss billionaire who built a massive political network
Wyss made his fortune in the medical device industry after founding Synthes, which he later sold for billions.
Synthes was sued in 2012 over deaths related to its “bone cement” product, and again in 2016 for experimenting on humans.
Credible allegations of sexual assault have been brought against Wyss and settled out of court.
Since then, he has become one of the largest donors to progressive issue advocacy organizations.
Wyss is not allowed to give to U.S. campaigns
Federal law forbids foreign nationals from donating to political campaigns. Wyss is not an American citizen or permanent resident, so direct political contributions are illegal.
Instead, he donates through nonprofit groups that engage in structural advocacy and policy fights.
His primary vehicle, the Sixteen Thirty Fund, has wreaked havoc on Missouri ballot measure campaigns.
In 2024 alone, the Sixteen Thirty Fund contributed over $4.5 million in support of the Left-Wing campaign to impose unregulated abortion on Missouri. The Sixteen Thirty Fund contributed another $3.5 million to groups supporting the Left-wing minimum wage hike initiative.
Why Missouri should pay attention
Wyss’s network has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into initiative battles across the country, often through groups linked to the Sixteen Thirty Fund. These organizations have funded signature drives, media campaigns, and political organizing efforts.
In Missouri, groups linked to Wyss and the Sixteen Thirty Fund are behind the signature-gathering efforts to overturn the Missouri First Map and protect Woke politicians.
Hansjorg Wyss poured millions into Eric Holder’s partisan redistricting group.
— Liberty Alliance (@LibertyAllUSA) November 19, 2025
That group is currently targeting Missouri to save Woke incumbents.#MOLeg #MOGov #YesOn4
https://t.co/IUgTI2rWRU pic.twitter.com/XwQZPIdklN
Groups linked to Wyss and the Sixteen Thirty Fund are still funding Left-Wing ballot measure campaigns in Missouri.
Protect MO Voters Files Complaint Over Foreign-Linked Contributions to Ballot Measure Committees #MOLeg #MOGov pic.twitter.com/I2jupGKQMH
— Protect MO Voters (@MOProtectVoters) October 15, 2025
In Nebraska, the state’s Attorney General filed a lawsuit alleging that Wyss-linked nonprofits injected foreign money into at least six ballot initiatives.
After last year’s passage of SB 152, Missouri’s Attorney General now has the authority to do the same. She should take action immediately.
Missouri is now part of that picture.
Despite ranking 19th in population, Missouri has received the third most foreign spending on ballot measures.
Why does he do it?
Missouri has permissive laws when it comes to initiative petitions that make it easy for billionaires to pass their preferred policy agendas.
He can invest a few million dollars into a Missouri ballot measure campaign and see big returns on his investment – like unrestricted abortion enshrined in the constitution.
The simple reason why he continues to spend on Missouri ballot measure campaigns? Because it gets results.
Why this matters for Missouri
Missouri has become a prime target for Wyss-backed activist operations. They use Missouri’s ballot initiative system as a tool for radical agendas that fail to gain traction inside the legislature.
Foreign-funded nonprofits should not have more influence over Missouri policy than Missouri voters.
Millions have flowed into statewide ballot campaigns from organizations with no ties to our communities. Missourians deserve to know who is behind these campaigns and why outside groups are investing so heavily in our laws.
How To Fix It
The Attorney General needs to open an investigation into the foreign-backed contributions propping up Left-wing ballot measure campaigns.
Anyone who knowingly accepts foreign funds or allows foreign nationals to direct contributions should be held accountable.
Anyone who unknowingly does so needs to give the money back.
Next year, Missouri needs to pass Amendment 4 to enact constitutional prohibitions against foreign contributions.
Foreign billionaires should not be steering public policy in our state. Missourians deserve a system that puts our people first.
Andy Bakker
Executive Director
Liberty Alliance USA