I would like to congratulate Donald Trump on how quickly he transformed the Republican Party in something that resembles an extortion racket.
Besides sinking his fangs into the Republican National Committee like a hungry bat on a plump Berkshire pig, the man who currently spends his days in a Manhattan courtroom under criminal indictment seeks now at bleeding Republican campaign money down.
In a letter dated April 15The Trump campaign informed all Republican candidates that if they used the former president’s name, image or likeness in campaign advertisements, they must provide at least 5% of the money they raise back to the aforementioned criminal defendant.
You know, a little bribe for the boss. Just enough to wet Trump’s mouth. Because, as has been made clear, the GOP is Trump and Trump is the GOP.
The Republican Party is nothing more than Donald Trump’s piggy bank
He has his daughter-in-law Lara Trump in place at the head of the RNC pecking order, and she didn’t hold back detailing the committee’s unique purpose: “Every penny will go to No. 1 and the only job of the RNC – that is, electing Donald J. Trump as President of the United States and saving this country. »
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Sorry, other Republican candidates! Maybe you can find another Republican National Committee to help you. Oh, and in the meantime, if you list Republican at the top of the ticket, you already have to ship some of the green you collect up front to the guy. sucking up donor money like a Dirt Devil the size of the Statue of Liberty.
If that seems unseemly coming from a presidential candidate who claims to be wildly successful and incredibly wealthy, wait until you see the tacky sneakers and weird Bibles he sells.
Biden is raising more money than Trump, so we need to sell more Bibles!
In addition to this thirst for money, the former president’s campaign is far behind President Joe Biden in fundraising. A Financial Times analysis published this week found: “Donald Trump raised $75 (million) less for his presidential bid than Joe Biden and now has 270,000 fewer unique donors than at the same stage of his White House bid four years ago . »
He’d have to sell a stack of Bibles the size of a moon to catch up, so the scam must be growing. And grow it with this new “bring money” campaign to other candidates.
Trump campaign’s letter to other Republican candidates reads like a mob film
As if he’s actively trying to include the Trump campaign in Martin Scorsese’s next gangster film, the letter to falling Republicans included this line: “Any split above 5% will be viewed favorably by the RNC and President Trump’s campaign and is regularly reported to the highest levels of leadership in both organizations.”
Why do Republicans hate each other? Nobody hates the GOP as much as Republicans hate the GOP. Just ask Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Of course, 5% is good. It is very good. But you know, maybe you’re doing 10%, maybe even 15%? That’s the kind of thing that gets you noticed, kid.
When you throw your party for someone under criminal charge, well…
The letter also included this note to any campaign using Trump’s name, image or likeness and not playing ball: “Any vendor whose customers ignore the guidelines mentioned above will be held responsible for their customers’ actions.” Repeated violations will result in the suspension of business relations between the supplier and the Trump National Committee JFC.
Yeah, nice little campaign you have there. It’s a shame if something happened to him, you know?
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This all seems dubious as it’s a long day, but regardless, here’s what all the small Republican candidates not named Donald Trump are going to do. They’ll line up in their fancy Trump sneakers with their Trump Bibles under their arms and place an offering in the MAGA hat at the Donald’s feet.
Frankly, this is what they deserve.
They bet on this guy again.
And the house always wins.
Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on @RexHuppke and Facebook facebook.com/RexIsAJerk
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This article was originally published on USA TODAY: The GOP is Trump’s party. Now he’s making Republicans pay to use his name
