Donald Trump turns the GOP into a protection racket -- and demands Republican candidates pay up

[marmar]

Donald Trump turns the GOP into a protection racket — and demands Republican candidates pay up
To "be seen favorably," the Trump campaign threatens, Republicans must give 5 percent — or more — to the boss

By AMANDA MARCOTTE
Senior Writer
PUBLISHED APRIL 19, 2024 6:00AM (EDT)


(Salon) For someone who frequently proclaims his innocence, Donald Trump sure loves to act like a two-bit gangster. The perpetual defendant should be focused on staying out of prison and running for president as the first of his four criminal trials kicks off. Instead, he is still focused on his lifelong obsession with making money while avoiding honest work. And the latest marks for this elderly grifter are other Republican candidates running in state or local races.

"The Trump campaign is asking for down-ballot candidates who use his name, image and likeness in fundraising appeals to give at least 5 percent," Politico reported late Wednesday. The campaign's, uh, "outreach" took a nice shop you got there, shame if something would happen to it tone. "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," read the letter sent to Republican fundraisers this week.

....(snip)....

It's been long established that Trump sees his supporters, first and foremost, as open wallets to pick. But his interest in separating fools from their money has escalated in recent months, as his legal fees and court judgments are mounting. Despite routinely declaring himself to be a "billionaire," Trump has done everything in his power to avoid paying what he owes. Instead, he's resorting to tricks of all sorts, including his longstanding favorite: Swindle some schmuck into paying it for him.

....(snip)....

Now, they're shaking down people running for state legislatures and comptroller offices, with the implication that saying no means Trump will publicly put that candidate on blast, derailing their career. Not that anyone should feel pity for these Republicans. They're copycats using Trump's most basic grift: Slapping his name all over your fundraising appeals, with the implicit promise to MAGA followers that sending them money will make liberals cry. Still, it is especially churlish of Trump to begrudge the little guys a piece of his hustle. Republicans had to give away whatever dignity they had left by praising Trump publicly, so of course they want a little payola in return. .....................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2024/04/19/donald-turns-the-into-a-protection-racket--and-demands-candidates-pay-up/

[GreenWave]

1. Next they will charge magats for the privilege of voting for the Dick tater.

[OAITW r.2.0]

2. Trump owns the GOP brand now.

I wonder when the Party name will be changed to the Trump Political Party, a fully owned subsidiary of the Putin Worldwide Crime Party?

[getagrip_already]

3. Once they change the name to the trymp party...

I suspect candidates will have to sign strong nda's and non disparagement agreements, as well as fund raising sharing agreements.

They may also have to pay membership dues equating to a percentage of their public compensation snd retirement packages.

For party unity purposes of course.

[keithbvadu2]

4. Refer to the accomplishments of the Pence administration.

[wnylib]

5. Could this demand by Trimp backfire? Will some down ticket candidates

stop using his name and references to him in order to keep money for their own campaigns?

[Beartracks]

6. "Turns out that betting your political career on... a mafioso is not a great long-term plan."

[gohuskies]

7. tRump doing his Don Fanucci impression

the mango maniac can't stop fleecing and grifting his moronic magat flock. he will keep asking them to wet his beak...



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