Robert Mercer

Robert Mercer, born on July 11, 1946, is a prominent American hedge fund manager, computer scientist, and political donor. He is best known for his role as the former co-CEO of Renaissance Technologies, a leading hedge fund company that has made significant strides in quantitative trading and investment strategies.

Mercer has a storied career in artificial intelligence, having been an early researcher and developer in the field. His expertise in data analytics and machine learning came to the forefront during the campaign for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, where he contributed £3.9 million through his company AggregateIQ.

In addition to his work in finance and technology, Mercer has been a major supporter of right-wing political causes in the United States. He has funded organizations such as Breitbart News and Cambridge Analytica, and played a crucial role in Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Furthermore, he is recognized as the principal benefactor of the Make America Number 1 super PAC.

In November 2017, Mercer announced his decision to step down from Renaissance Technologies and transfer his stake in Breitbart News to his daughters. He was also the majority owner of SCL Group, a global elections management agency, before its dissolution in 2018. His financial dealings have not been without controversy, as in 2021, he was involved in a significant tax settlement with the IRS, potentially amounting to seven billion dollars in back taxes.