Donor burnout, and diminishing returns from a flood of frantic emails and texts — not just from Trump, but also other candidates invoking his name. There’s also a scenario in which Trump squats on hundreds of millions of dollars, rather than spending it on other Republicans.
The “quadrupling-down” approach that’s proved effective for Trump may actually make it harder — and more expensive — for other Republicans to raise money online.
Trump’s approach is spurring other campaigns to lean heavily on his brand in their own fundraising appeals. That keeps Trump essential not just to the Republican political brand but to its ability to raise money online.
Between the lines: These complaints are frequently discussed privately in GOP fundraising circles.
Nobody of stature wants to talk publicly, for fear of retribution — because Trump remains the most powerful man in Republican politics.
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