Trilateral Commission
A policy group founded in 1973 by David Rockefeller to foster cooperation between North America, Europe, and Japan, often accused of global governance ambitions.
INVESTIGATION OVERVIEW
The Trilateral Commission is a non-governmental policy discussion group founded in 1973 by David Rockefeller and Zbigniew Brzezinski. The commission brings together approximately 400 prominent leaders from North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Its purpose, according to its founders, is to foster closer cooperation among these three industrialized regions. The commission has been a persistent target of conspiracy theories claiming it works to establish a New World Order. Many prominent cabinet members in the Carter, Clinton, and Obama administrations were Trilateral Commission members, fueling claims of a coordinated elite agenda.
KEY CLAIMS
The Trilateral Commission is a vehicle for global governance planning
Members are selected to coordinate policy across the three regions
David Rockefeller and Zbigniew Brzezinski designed it as a shadow world government
Trilateral membership is a stepping stone to high government office
The commission's policy recommendations are implemented by member governments
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
Founding documents describe goals of 'managing' global economic interdependence
Multiple U.S. cabinet members were Trilateral members before their appointments
The commission's reports on trade, finance, and energy have influenced policy
David Rockefeller explicitly advocated for 'supranational sovereignty' in his memoirs
The group's membership overlaps significantly with the CFR and Bilderberg
COUNTER ARGUMENTS
The commission is a discussion forum with no decision-making authority
Influence is through ideas and networking, not conspiracy
The commission publishes its reports and membership openly
Most members are academics, journalists, and business leaders, not government officials
The 'New World Order' claim is based on selective reading of aspirational statements
TIMELINE
Trilateral Commission founded by Rockefeller and Brzezinski
Carter elected President; 13 Trilateral members join his administration
Commission publishes reports on global governance and trade
Continued operations as a policy discussion forum
KEY FIGURES
David Rockefeller
Founder and founding chair
Zbigniew Brzezinski
Co-founder and foreign policy architect
Jimmy Carter
Trilateral member who became U.S. President
ORGANIZATIONS
Trilateral Commission
Policy Group
Council on Foreign Relations
Think Tank
Bilderberg Group
Private Conference
SOURCES
RELATED ENTITIES
PEOPLE
David Rockefeller
Zbigniew Brzezinski
Jimmy Carter
ORGANIZATIONS
Trilateral Commission
Council on Foreign Relations
Bilderberg Group
EVENTS
Trilateral Commission founded by Rockefeller and Brzezinski
1973
Carter elected President; 13 Trilateral members join his administration
1976
Commission publishes reports on global governance and trade
1970s-1990s
Continued operations as a policy discussion forum
2000s–present