WASHINGTON (AP) – The Republican National Committee defends its right to use former President Donald Trump’s name in fundraising calls after demanding they end the practice.
In a letter to Trump attorney Alex Cannon Monday, RNC chief adviser J. Justin Riemer said the committee “has every right to refer to public figures as it engages in pithy First Amendment-protected political speeches” and said: “thus in pursuit of these common goals.”
But he insisted that Trump had also “ confirmed ” to RNC Chairman Ronna McDaniel over the weekend that he endorses the RNC’s current use of his name in fundraising and other material, including for our upcoming donor retreat event in Palm Beach we look forward to his participation. “
The flap reflects the tension within the GOP in the months after Trump left the White House. The party would like to take advantage of its popularity under the Republican base to raise money ahead of next year’s midterms. But that goes against Trump’s instinct to control the use of his name and image as he seeks to position himself as the undisputed leader of the GOP.
In his first major speech since his departure, Trump urged his supporters to give their money to Save America, his political action committee, rather than to the GOP’s traditional fundraising organizations. And on Friday, his group sent letters to the RNC and others requesting that “immediately stop and the unauthorized use of President Donald J. Trump’s name, image and / or likeness in any fundraising, conviction and / or speech. to strike, ”According to the RNC letter.
The House and Senate Republican 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 ties between them remain.
Trump will speak in Palm Beach at the RNC donor retreat in April and has told McDaniel says he wants to continue to raise money for the RNC, even as he raises money for his own pursuits. That includes demanding revenge by backing challengers to Republican incumbents who crossed him by voting to impeach him for instigating the Capitol riots.
Despite the letters, the RNC and others have continued to collect Trump’s name.
“CONGRATULATIONS! You have been selected as one of the FIRST to be invited to claim your Trump Legacy membership,” the RNC wrote in an appeal Sunday.
“We NEED 10,000 patriots to stand with President Trump tonight before midnight,” “URGENT: NEED TRUMP SUPPORTERS,” the National Republican Senate Committee added Monday afternoon.