Former President Donald Trump’s lawyers sent out cease-and-desist letters last 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,” according to Politico.
A Trump adviser told Politico’s Playbook that while Trump “remains committed to the Republican Party,” they shouldn’t use his name to fundraise without his “explicit approval.”
“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,” the adviser reportedly said.
This should come as no surprise to those who have paid attention to Trump over the last five years or so, because he has consistently acted like a businessman instead of the politician that all the establishment politicians bashed him for not being.
The outlet also reported that “Trump was furious” that GOP entities that support politicians who voted to impeach him keep using his name and likeness.
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As noted by the Washington Examiner, Trump stated during his Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) speech in late February that his intent is not to split off from the Republican Party and establish a new one.
“We're not starting new parties,” Trump said. “You know, they kept saying, 'He's gonna start a brand new party.' We have the Republican Party. It's going to unite and be stronger than ever before. I am not starting a new party.”
But the businessman in Trump, who has used his name to make money in many different ventures, understands the value of his name and simply doesn’t want people who were constant detractors of his from within his own party to benefit from the money raised using his name.
While some may not agree with the move, it should be perfectly understandable considering the source.