Former President Donald Trump doubled down on his call for donors to contribute to his political action committee instead of the Republican National Committee after the RNC rejected his cease-and-desist letter demanding they stop using his image and name, Politico reports.
Trump’s attorneys sent cease-and-desist letters to the RNC, National Republican Congressional Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee last week demanding they stop using his name and image in fundraising appeals.
Trump has been “furious” that organizations that back Republicans who voted to impeach him are using him to raise funds.
“President Trump remains committed to the Republican Party and electing America First conservatives, but that doesn’t give anyone - friend or foe - permission to use his likeness without explicit approval,” a Trump adviser told Politico.
RNC rejects demand:
The RNC rejected Trump’s letter, writing that the organization “has every right to refer to public figures as it engages in core, First Amendment-protected political speech, and it will continue to do so in pursuit of these common goals.”
RNC Chief Counsel Justin Riemer added that Trump and RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel “enjoy a close relationship, and we understand that President Trump reaffirmed to her over the weekend that he approves of the RNC’s current use of his name in fundraising and other materials, including for our upcoming donor retreat event at Palm Beach at which we look forward to him participating.”
Trump doubles down:
Trump doubled down on his demand, firing off an email from his Save America PAC urging supporters to donate directly him rather than the RNC.
“No more money for RINOS,” the email said. “They do nothing but hurt the Republican Party and our great voting base -- they will never lead us to Greatness.”
The email added that donors should send funds directly to the Save America PAC, vowing to bring back the Republican Party “stronger than ever before.”
