WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee is defending its right to use the name of former President Donald Trump in fundraising appeals after he demanded they end the practice.
In a letter on Monday to Trump’s lawyer Alex Cannon, the RNC’s chief adviser, J. Justin Riemer, said the committee “has every right to refer to public figures while engaging in protected central political discourse.” by the First Amendment “and said” that it will continue then, in pursuit of those common goals. “
But he said Trump also “reaffirmed” RNC President Ronna McDaniel over the weekend “that he approves the current use of his name by the RNC in fundraising and other materials, including for our next donor retreat event. in Palm Praia in which we hope he will participate. ”
Trump responded to the letter with a statement that doubted that agreement.
“No more money for RINOS”, or Republican in name only, he declared. “They do nothing but harm the Republican Party and our large base of votes – they will never lead us to Greatness.”
Instead, Trump again asked his supporters to send their contributions directly to his own PAC Save America using his personal website, adding, “We are going to bring everything back stronger than ever!”
The unrest reflects the tensions that have divided the Republican Party in the months since Trump left the White House. The party is eager to exploit its popularity among the Republican base to raise money ahead of next year’s tests. But this goes against Trump’s instinct to control the use of his name and image while he intends to position himself as the undisputed leader of the GOP.
In his first major speech since leaving office, Trump urged his supporters to donate their money to Save America, its political action committee, instead of the traditional Republican Party fundraising organizations. And on Friday, his group sent letters to the RNC and others asking them to “immediately cease and give up the unauthorized use of President Donald J. Trump’s name, image and / or likeness in all fundraising, persuasion and / or broadcast speech, “according to the letter RNC.
Republican House and Senate campaign committees and a Trump spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The RNC and Trump campaign worked hand in hand during the 2020 election, including raising money through a joint fundraising committee. And the bonds between them remain.
Trump is expected to speak at the RNC spring donor retreat in April in Palm Beach, Florida, and told McDaniel that he wants to continue raising money for the RNC, even while accumulating money for his own activities. This includes demanding revenge by supporting challengers from Republican presidents who opposed him by voting to challenge him for inciting the Capitol rebellion.
Despite the letters, the RNC and others continued to raise funds under the Trump name.
“CONGRATULATIONS! You have been selected as one of the FIRST to be invited to claim your membership of the Trump Legacy,” wrote the RNC in an appeal on Sunday.
“WE NEED 10,000 patriots who are still with President Trump before midnight tonight,” “URGENT: NEED FOR TRUMP SUPPORTERS,” added the Republican Senatorial National Committee on Monday afternoon.