Donald Trump is asking Republican candidates down the ballot to bolster his presidential campaign by sending up a portion of their earnings.
In a memo obtained by numerous outlets, the Trump campaign announced new guidelines for GOP candidates in smaller races, requesting that they share at least 5% of their donations if they use the former president’s name, image or likeness in their campaign materials.
While 5% is Trump’s “ask,” it comes with a threat: Any candidate or fundraising committee that fails to follow the guidelines “will be held responsible,” the memo warns, and “repeated violations will result in the suspension of business relationships between the vendor and Trump National Committee JFC.”
Additionally, the memo teases that if people want to impress the Republican National Committee and shield themselves from public criticism, they’ll consider sharing a larger chunk of their fundraising haul.
“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,” the memo reads. “Additionally, President Trump’s campaign and the RNC strive to treat our donors with the utmost respect.”
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Since installing his loyalists — including daughter-in-law Lara Trump — into the highest RNC leadership posts and winning the Republican primaries, Trump’s campaign has effectively merged operations with the national Republican Party.
That includes setting up two new joint fundraising committees, one of which will accept the recommended donations from down-ballot candidates.
Trump is facing a major cash disadvantage in comparison to incumbent President Joe Biden and the Democratic National Committee — a particularly daunting situation as the former president drowns in legal fees tied to his numerous civil and criminal cases.
Many in the Republican Party have expressed concern in recent months that Trump’s near-total control of the RNC will hurt GOP candidates down the ballot in November, by diverting the party’s resources in his direction at a time when control of Congress hangs in the balance.
The Trump campaign’s latest guidance is an example of how House and Senate candidates may suffer in the RNC’s new era, as smaller races generally have tighter budgets and fewer donors.
