Always chasing a buck, Trump squeezes GOP candidates in a new scheme

When the sneakers didn’t sell, the Bibles bombed and Truth Social crashed, Donald Trump went back to basics to raise money — picking pockets.

In a letter received by Republican digital vendors this week, the Trump presidential campaign is demanding down-ballot candidates who use his name, image and likeness in fundraising appeals to fork over at least 5% of the proceeds to the campaign.

“Beginning tomorrow, we ask that all candidates and committees who choose to use President Trump’s name, image, and likeness split a minimum of 5% of all fundraising solicitations to Trump National Committee JFC. This includes but is not limited to sending to the house file, prospecting vendors, and advertising,” Trump co-campaign managers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita wrote in the letter, which is dated April 15, according to Politico.

“Any split that is higher than 5% will be seen favorably by the RNC and President Trump’s campaign and is routinely reported to the highest levels of leadership within both organizations.”

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In other words, kick back more than 5% and candidates are more likely to get an endorsement or personal visit from Trump on the campaign trail.

With Trump already taking control of the RNC and steering funds to pay his legal bills and other expenses, Republican analysts have warned that there won’t be money for down-ballot candidates. And now Trump is squeezing them even more.

Trump officials are insisting the policy isn’t being implemented because Trump lags far behind President Joe Biden in fundraising. Instead, it’s to discourage “scammers” from using Trump’s name.

That, of course, is silly, because scammers aren’t going to be dissuaded, and Trump’s campaign could sue those who violate any laws.

Biden’s campaign has said that it has raised over $190 million, more than double what Trump has banked.

The letter says candidates cannot speak “on behalf of President Trump,” “mention of the President’s family without their consent or the consent of the campaign,” or [impersonate] President Trump or his campaign.”

It warns: “Any vendor whose clients ignore the guidelines mentioned above will be held responsible for their clients’ actions,” and that “Repeated violations will result in the suspension of business relationships between the vendor and Trump National Committee JFC. This includes list rental agreements.”

Trump, of course, is on trial in Manhattan. He has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels during the final days of the 2016 presidential election. He faces up to four years in prison if he is convicted.

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