Former President Donald Trump’s attorneys sent letters to the Republican National Committee (RNC), National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) on Friday, March 5, 2021 telling them to cease using his name and likeness on fundraising emails and merchandise according to Politico’s Playbook.
Donald Trump has always been careful about how his name and likeness are branded and for Republican entities to use his name and likeness without his permission, especially after their lack of support for his presidency, was wrong.
On Friday, the RNC sent out two emails asking supporters to donate as a way to add their name to a “thank you” card for Trump. “President Trump will ALWAYS stand up for the American People, and I just thought of the perfect way for you to show that you support him!” said the email. “As one of President Trump’s MOST LOYAL supporters, I think that YOU, deserve the great honor of adding your name to the Official Trump ‘Thank You’ Card.” This email was followed-up with another email a few hours later sent to “President Trump’s TOP supporters” which warned them of a 10 hour deadline to get their names on the card.
It will be difficult to do any serious Republican fundraising without Trump’s involvement, GOP campaigns say privately. They know he is necessary to help flip congress.
Trump’s policies are what helped build the current huge Republican coalition and those policies are why people are willing to donate. Without Trump and his policies, people are much less likely to give.
According to a Trump adviser, “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.”
