The Republican Party is in shambles, devastated by the wild vagaries of former President Trump, the titular leader of the GOP.
First, Trump told the Republican National Committee not to use his name to raise funds to help Republicans get elected. Trump didn't want to help the 17 Republicans in the House and Senate who voted to impeach him.
Then the RNC rebuffed a cease-and-desist letter from
Trump's lawyers that warned it not to use his name or likeness to raise money from donors. Justin Riemer, chief counsel for the RNC, stated, “the R.N.C., of course, has every right to refer to public figures as it engages in core, First Amendment-protected political speech, and it will continue to do so in pursuit of those common goals.”
Then, in a sign of the delicate dance between Trump and a Republican Party fearful of alienating him, Riemer changed his mind. He said that the R.N.C. had not and would not make fund-raising appeals using Trump’s name or likeness without his approval.
Then Trump lashed out on email. “No more money for RINOs,” a term used to bash moderate GOP politicians accused of governing like Democrats. He asserted that they “do nothing but hurt the Republican Party and our great voting base — they will never lead us to Greatness.”
Then Trump told his supporters to instead send money to his political action committee, Save America.
Trump is competing with the GOP’s fundraising operation and lashing out at its members,
further complicating his status as a Republican Party leader.
I shyt you not. Honest, this is really happening. You can check with my sources.
R.N.C. says it ‘has every right’ to use Trump’s name to raise money but won’t do so without his OK.
Lawyers for Mr. Trump had sent cease-and-desist letters to the Republican National Committee and other groups, warning them to stop relying on him in their fund-raising appeals.
Trump tells donors to give money to him, not Republicans 'in name only'
Redirecting Republican money into his own war chest could help Trump tighten his grip on the party as he aims to undermine his perceived enemies within it.