The Republican National Committee responded to a cease-and-desist letter from former President Trump that demanded that the RNC and other Republican Party campaign committees stop using his name and image in their fundraising materials.
The RNC told the ex-president’s lawyer that “it has every right to refer to public figures by engaging in the central political discourse protected by the First Amendment”. The RNC’s response was first reported by the Politico.
RNC lawyer Justin Riemer said the party would continue to refer to public figures, and said that Mr. Trump had indeed “reaffirmed” with RNC president Ronna McDaniel last weekend, which he approves the use of his name by the RNC to collect money. The RNC continued to use Mr. Trump’s name in its correspondence, including an email on Sunday that urged its supporters to “DEFEND President Trump’s policies for America first”.
Last week, Politico reported that Trump’s lawyers sent cease and desist letters to the RNC, the National Republican Congress Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee to – according to them – use their name on fundraising merchandise and emails. Other “fake PACs” that also used the Trump name also received letters.
The RNC cease and desist letter asked the committee to “cease immediately and give up the unauthorized use of President Donald J. Trump’s name, image and / or likeness in all fundraising, persuasion and / or issuing speech.”
The Trump campaign and the RNC joint fundraising committee, Trump Victory, raised $ 366 million in 2019 and 2020. In his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Mr. Trump encouraged donors to donate to his new PAC, Save America, which will have you competing with other GOP groups for money.
“There is only one way to contribute to our efforts to elect America’s first Republican conservatives and, in turn, to make America great again, through Save America PAC and DonaldJTrump.com,” said Trump. He repeated the fundraising pitch in a statement late on Monday and said, “No more money for RINOS (Republican in name only). They do nothing but harm the Republican Party and our large base of votes – they will never lead us to Greatness. “
His move to control the use of his image creates competition with the Republican Party for donations that could result in giving Trump more power to reshape the Republican Party to his image. Although in many cases their interests are aligned, the ex-president and the Republicans can clash during the primaries. The RNC does not take a position in the primaries, and the campaign arms of the Senate and the Republican Party are likely to side with any Republican Party ruler, although their levels of support may vary.
But Trump has already signaled that he is seeking revenge and is looking for people to challenge Republican lawmakers who voted for his impeachment earlier this year. He has already endorsed Max Miller, a former aide who is running to oust Ohio congressman Anthony Gonzalez, one of ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump.
“Get rid of them all,” Trump said during his CPAC speech, referring to the Republicans who supported the impeachment.