In a letter to GOP digital vendors, top Trump advisers are requesting that down-ballot Republican candidates send 5% of their donation hauls to the 45th president if they use his “name, image, and likeness” in their solicitations. The letter also specifies language vendors should avoid when discussing Trump, such as speaking on behalf of him or impersonating the campaign. Vendors whose clients ignore these guidelines will be held responsible for their actions.
The letter also mentions that candidates who have been given the Trump Seal of Approval will be allowed to have one upsell that is personally signed by President Trump. This upsell donation request is said to have high conversion rates and dollars per view, with a 1% split requested by the advisers. The aim of the letter, according to a Republican National Committee spokesperson, is to protect small dollar donors from being scammed by imposters using the president’s name and likeness.
Despite recent fundraising events that garnered more than $50 million in donations, Trump’s campaign is still behind President Biden in fundraising efforts. Rising legal costs relating to Trump’s court cases have also added to financial challenges. In March, the Trump camp and RNC combined brought in over $65 million and ended the month with $91.3 million in cash on hand, while Biden’s team raised over $90 million, bringing his total cash on hand to a record $192 million.
Trump’s team acknowledges that they may not match Biden dollar-for-dollar in fundraising but insist that they only need a fraction of his haul to win in November. The former president’s campaign is working to increase donations by offering upsells personally signed by Trump to candidates who use his “name, image, and likeness” in their solicitations. The overall goal is to maximize fundraising efforts and compete against the financial resources of the Biden campaign.
The ongoing battle for campaign funds highlights the importance of fundraising in political races and the strategies used by candidates to secure donations. Trump’s team’s request for a percentage of down-ballot candidates’ donations reflects a coordinated effort to leverage the former president’s popularity and influence in fundraising efforts. As the presidential election approaches, fundraising will continue to be a critical factor in determining each candidate’s ability to compete effectively on the national stage. While Trump’s campaign may face financial challenges, they remain optimistic about their chances of success in the upcoming election.
