The campaign of former President Donald Trump has discovered a novel method to solicit urgently required funds.
The Trump campaign has requested that down-ballot candidates who utilize his name, image, and visage in fundraising appeals contribute a minimum of 5 percent of the proceeds to the campaign, as stated in a letter received by Republican digital vendors this week.
“Starting tomorrow, it is mandatory for all candidates and committees that utilize the name, image, and likeness of President Trump to contribute a minimum of 5% of their fundraising solicitations to the Trump National Committee JFC. “This includes advertising, prospecting vendors, and sending materials to the house file,” Trump co-campaign coordinators Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita stated in the April 15 letter.
Additionally, they state, “The RNC and President Trump’s campaign will view favorably any split in excess of 5%; such information is routinely reported to the highest levels of leadership within both organizations.”
As he struggles to close a fundraising disparity with President Joe Biden, the letter is received. According to Biden’s campaign, it has amassed in excess of $190 million, which is more than twice the amount raised by Trump.
Although the Trump campaign has recognized that Biden will raise more money than it does, it has been working with both large and small donors to make up the difference. By requesting a portion of the proceeds from Republican candidates, the Trump campaign could potentially increase the size of its bank account.
Individual contributions to Republican candidates are limited to $6,600. Thus, in the event that all donors contributed the utmost amount, the Trump campaign would receive $330, contingent upon the down-ballot candidate consenting to a revenue-sharing arrangement with the former president.
In the same week that Trump’s hush-money trial commenced in New York, the letter was dispatched. With a minimum duration of six weeks anticipated, the trial will significantly impede the former president’s capacity to resume his campaign activities less than seven months prior to the November election.
Negative ballot Republican candidates and committees have historically utilized Trump in their fundraising appeals, knowing that he enjoys the support of the party’s constituency of small-dollar contributors. Wiles and LaCivita, however, reaffirmed their request in the letter that Republicans “avoid” employing particular “language and tactics” when utilizing Trump’s name, image, and visage.
For instance, the letter requests that candidates refrain from “speaking on behalf of President Trump,” “making reference to the President’s family without their explicit consent or the campaign’s consent,” and “assuming the identity of President Trump or his campaign.”
The Trump campaign, which assumed control of the Republican National Committee a month ago, formed a joint fundraising committee with the RNC, which enabled it to receive contributions in excess of $814,000.
The correspondence cautions that “vendors whose clients fail to adhere to the aforementioned guidelines shall be liable for the conduct of their clients,” and that “recurrent infractions shall lead to the cessation of business relations between the vendor and the Trump National Committee JFC.” Included in this are rental agreement lists.
Similar requests have been made by the campaign in the past. A letter was once more issued by the Trump campaign the previous year, cautioning that candidates utilizing firms that distributed Trump-centric fundraising appeals without the campaign’s authorization might not receive Trump’s support. In 2021, the RNC, National Republican Senatorial Committee, and National Republican Congressional Committee received cease-and-desist letters from Trump’s political operation requesting that they discontinue using his name, image, and visage in fundraising communications.
A spokesperson for the Trump campaign, Danielle Alvarez, failed to respond to the demand that Republicans donate 5 percent of the proceeds from their fundraising efforts concentrated on the campaign. However, she issued the following statement: “Protecting small dollar donors from fraudsters using the president’s name and image is crucial.”
