By The opinion
Apr 17, 2024, 11:29 PM EDT
Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign is asking to be paid money for using the former president’s name, image and likeness in campaign ads for other Republican candidates, according to CNN.
Trump’s presidential campaign in a letter this week asked all Republican campaigns to be local or relatively unimportant, a cut of at least 5% of the money raised for the advertising that presents the presumptive candidate of the Republican Party for the Presidency in the 2024 elections.
“We ask that all candidates and committees who choose to use the name, image and likeness of President Trump divide a minimum of 5% of all fundraising requests to the Trump JFC National Committee,” the letter dated 15 April signed by the campaign’s co-campaign managers, Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita.
Wiles and LaCivita added: “Any split greater than 5% will be viewed favorably by the (Republican National Committee) and President Trump’s campaign and is routinely reported to the highest levels of leadership within both organizations.”
The letter comes as the presumptive Republican nominee has been ramping up his campaign fundraising as he struggles to catch up with President Joe Biden’s financial operation.
The letter, first reported by Politico, was dated the first day of Trump’s criminal hush money trial in New York, which will severely reduce his flexibility to travel for fundraising and campaigning.
The letter also included Guidelines for Republican Candidates and Committees when they use Trump’s name and image during fundraising and asked them to avoid “speaking on behalf of” Trump, “creating memberships, clubs or rewards that are not authorized by the campaign.” “Impersonate President Trump or his campaign” and mention Trump’s family without his consent or the consent of the campaign.
“It is important to protect small dollar donors from scammers who use the president’s name and image,” Trump campaign spokeswoman Danielle Alvarez said in a statement.
Trump has closely guarded the use of his brand and name. In 2021, his team sent cease-and-desist letters to the RNC and the party’s Congressional fundraising arms, asking them to stop using his name and likeness in their fundraising appeals.
Since becoming his party’s presumptive nominee, Trump has launched a takeover of the RNC and is now raising money alongside the national party.
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