Trump’s Campaign Asks For Fundraising Cut From Candidates Who Use His Likeness, Report Says

Topline

Former President Donald Trump’s campaign is asking candidates and committees who use Trump’s likeness in fundraising solicitations to dole out a share of their proceeds to Trump’s fundraising committee, according to Politico, signaling the latest tactic from the former president to lessen the fundraising gap between him and President Joe Biden.

The former president’s campaign raised $66 million in March. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images

Key Facts

Candidates who use Trump’s name, image and likeness have been asked to split a minimum of 5% of all fundraising solicitations to Trump and the Republican National Committee’s joint fundraising committee, according to Politico, which cited a Trump campaign letter sent to Republican digital campaign vendors this week.

Any split higher than 5% “will be seen favorably by the RNC and President Trump’s campaign,” according to the letter, adding higher splits are reported to high-level leadership at both organizations.

Trump’s campaign also asked candidates and committees to avoid speaking on behalf of Trump in their messaging, mentioning Trump’s family without their consent or consent of the campaign, questioning readers’ support of Trump and more.

Business relationships between vendors and Trump’s fundraising committee will be suspended if the guidelines are repeatedly violated, according to the letter.

The guideline changes arrive as Trump trails Biden significantly in terms of campaign financing, finishing March with nearly $100 million less cash on hand than Biden and Democrats, who increased their cash to $192 during the month, according to NPR.

It’s not unusual for top-ballot candidates with a large number of donors to fundraise and split donations with lower-ballot politicians, Bloomberg reported.

A representative for Trump didn’t immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.

Key Background

Trump has put focus on courting large donors in his race to catch up with Biden. The former president’s campaign raised $66 million in March and finished the month with $93 million in cash, while Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee raised $90 million in March, bringing their cash on hand to $192 million, NPR reported. Super PAC Future Forward, the Service Employees International Union and research organization American Bridge are the biggest groups contributing to Biden’s reelection campaign, according to the New York Times, pledging between $140 million and $250 million on advertising and other campaign help. Trump’s cash troubles are partially mired in the legal battles surrounding his four criminal cases, one of which required Trump to fork over a $175 million bond while he appeals a civil fraud case against him. Some big Trump donors are reportedly hesitant to contribute to Trump due to the possibility their funds will go toward the former president’s legal bills, which have been paid through his PAC Save America.

Further Reading

Biden Raised Twice As Much As Trump Last Month—Here’s How It Compares To Their 2020 Hauls (Forbes)

Outside Groups Pledge $1 Billion To Biden—As Trump Reportedly Struggles To Fundraise (Forbes)