‘Election defense’ donations under $8K will go to Trump, RNC instead
But the fine print does alert donors where the funds will funnel to.
President Donald Trump solicited his supporters to help pay for the legal fight against alleged voter fraud in the 2020 election. But some are questioning why the funds are being allocated to other causes.
Read More: Few legal wins so far as Trump team hunts for proof of fraud
His team requested the funds from supporters with text messages like, “The Left will try to STEAL this election!” per Reuters. The outlet reviewed the fine print and small donations made by his supporters will be paid to Save America, a new Trump political action committee or to the Republican National Committee, not the “Official Election Defense Fund,” as advertised.
“It’s important to be upfront with people – especially those who are digging deep into their pockets to come up with $25,” said Michael DuHaime, former political director at the RNC, “If you tell them it’s going for legal fees, well then, it should go for legal fees.”
![General Election Ballots Still Being Counted in Pennsylvania](https://thegrio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/131120201605229409-1-750x422.jpg)
A donor would have to contribute $8K or more for it to actually make it to the Official Election Defense Fund. The website urges supporters to donate and encourages them to make the payment reoccurring. It adds, “We need your help to ensure we have the resources to protect the results.”
But the fine print does alert donors where the funds will funnel to.
It says Save America will receive 60% of funds, and the RNC will receive 40%. Funds won’t be allocated to the recount fund until Save America reaches a legal contribution limit of $5K.
Trump has refused to concede to President-elect Joe Biden and is spewing baseless claims of fraud in the election. Many Trump supporters believe this narrative. But a North Carolina Republican who spoke on condition of anonymity to Reuters said Trump should state in a clearer way where the money will end up.
Read More: Trump officials called Democrats ‘sore losers’ in 2016 for questioning election results
“They should be more transparent,” he said. “If they are soliciting money to help with a legal challenge, and instead the money is going to pay the salary of the political director, that doesn’t seem right.”
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