Republicans Threaten Their Single-Time Donors

With the transition of the Republican / New Confederate / Stupid Party into the Trump Q Cult, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has gone full extortion mode in its "fundraising" activities. Following Dear Leader's model, and just as the "former guy" / Dear Leader thought nothing of extorting Ukraine for made-up dirt on President Biden's son, so too does the NRCC think nothing of threatening the rubes who donate to them. Here's how the thuggish scam works, according to the Washington Post:

"After donating to the NRCC, donors are shown a yellow box with a small pre-checked box that warns: 'If you UNCHECK this box, we will have to tell Trump you’re a DEFECTOR.' Left checked and the supporter will be agreeing to contribute every month.

The tactic, roundly criticized by campaign finance experts as deceptive, was also employed by the Trump campaign from September until the 2020 election to shore up its dwindling coffers."  (our emphasis)

Their tactic is reminiscent of organized crime shakedowns, with wise guys telling a shop owner "it's a nice business you have here, it'd be a shame if something happened to it." Instead of a bomb through the window, however, the NRCC is going to report you to Dear Leader, who hates disloyal people and loves revenge. Public interest groups have taken notice:

"Craig Holman, a lobbyist on good-government issues at Public Citizen, said requests for recurring donations are common but should always offer clear instructions and don’t threaten repercussions if a donor opts out.

The Republicans’ tactic, he said, is 'extortion,' 'akin to blackmail' and 'highly unethical,' but it is not illegal. Political donors who feel duped or coerced don’t have a lot of legal recourse under campaign finance or consumer protection laws.

Paul S. Ryan, vice president of policy and litigation at Common Cause, a government accountability organization, said it comes down to 'basic human decency.'

'While it should be easy for supporters of an organization to make recurring donations, people shouldn’t be tricked or bullied into making donations,' Ryan said. 'NRCC and Trump solicitations seem to have crossed this line.'”  (our emphasis)

Crossing the line and lacking basic human decency is the hallmark of the rotted out Republican party / Trump Q Cult, so no surprise here. It's in their DNA.

(image: A reasonable representation of the NRCC)

Grifter Goes After Fellow Grifters

The former guy Grifter- in- Chief needs to wet his beak!

... Lawyers for former President DONALD TRUMP sent out cease-and-desist letters Friday to the three largest fundraising entities for the Republican Party — the RNC, NRCC and NRSC — for using his name and likeness on fundraising emails and merchandise, a Trump adviser tells Playbook.

We reported yesterday that Trump was furious that his name has been bandied about by organizations that help Republicans who voted to impeach him — without his permission. Trump, who made his fortune in licensing, has always been sensitive to how his name has been used to fundraise and support members, even while in office.

On Friday, the RNC sent out two emails asking supporters to donate as a way to add their name to a “thank you” card for Trump. “President Trump will ALWAYS stand up for the American People, and I just thought of the perfect way for you to show that you support him!” the email states. “As one of President Trump’s MOST LOYAL supporters, I think that YOU, deserve the great honor of adding your name to the Official Trump ‘Thank You’ Card.” A follow-up email was sent hours later to “President Trump’s TOP supporters” warning of a deadline of 10 hours to get their names on the card. [snip]

“President Trump remains committed to the Republican Party and electing America First conservatives, but that doesn’t give anyone - friend or foe - permission to use his likeness without explicit approval,” said a Trump adviser.

Is there no honor among thieves?!  

Fighting all those lawsuits and criminal charges will take money and, to Mango Mussolini, that means MAGA rubes' money!  Can't have it siphoned off by those other grifters at the RNC, NRCC and NRSC! 

We smell a licensing deal in the future.

(Image: "Get your Trump Signature ™ Bolex watches here!")