Trump warns GOP to stop fundraising off of his name and likeness

Former President Donald Trump’s campaign warned Republicans fundraisers on Thursday to stop using the ex-commander-in-chief’s name, image and likeness in funding pitches, accusing them of siphoning away potential donors to his 2024 presidential campaign.

“It has been brought to our attention that your company has been sending digital fundraising messages using President Trump’s name, image and likeness, under the guise of ‘supporting,’ ‘standing with’ and ‘defending’ him,” read the letter sent by Trump campaign officials Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita to National Republican Campaign Committee and ten GOP consulting firms.

“President Trump does not consent to the use of his name, image and likeness in unauthorized fundraising appeals for candidates he has not endorsed and committees he may or may not support,” Wiles and LaCivita write. 

The campaign then warns that the 76-year-old former president is “highly unlikely” to endorse or appear at events with GOP candidates that are using firms that fundraise off him without his permission.

“President Trump has built the most powerful, successful brand in the history of American politics — at great personal expense and toll to him and his family,” Wiles and LaCivita said. “When you deceive the President’s donors and usurp his brand for your own profit, you drain him of the financial resources his campaign needs to defeat Joe Biden and Make America Great Again.”

Politico reports that several of the firms that received letters are working for potential 2024 Trump rivals. 

The group Coldspark is working with 2024 GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, Axiom is being used by a super PAC aligned with Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Targeted Victory is a vendor to Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.). 

Trump’s lawyers previously sent cease-and-desist letters to the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and the NRCC in March 2021, similarly demanding that the groups stop using his image in fundraising emails and merchandise.