Former President Donald Trump’s lawyers reportedly sent cease-and-desist notices to three of the largest GOP fundraising groups, ordering them to stop using his name and likeness on merchandise and fundraising material.
The three groups, the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, had been using his name in email appeals for fundraising, and also asked supporters to add their name to a “thank-you” card for the former president.
“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 said, according to Politico. “As one of the president’s MOST LOYAL supporters, I think that YOU deserve the great honor of adding your name to the Official Trump ‘Thank You’ Card.’”
A Trump advisor told Politico that the former president “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.”
Politico also reported that GOP campaign workers called it “impossible” to avoid using Trump’s name, given how committed his supporters were during his presidency. Also, for someone with such a history in branding using his own name, even before his own presidency, it’s an easy way for these groups to get the base’s attention and raise funds.
But Trump reportedly didn’t want the Republican party to use his name and likeness in this way after multiple Republican legislators voted to convict him during his second impeachment trial in February.
