Trump is the party’s biggest money maker and as an ex-president, his name and record are natural components for the committee to tout in emails and fundraising pleas.
But that’s come at a cost. The party and its leaders have committed to staying neutral in the upcoming presidential election. And as the RNC continues to tout Trump and even push his private business ventures through its official channels, the fear grows that it is dispensing with even the veneer of neutrality.
“How do you stay neutral when the single greatest driver of raising money is using Trump’s name?” asked one former party official, who remained anonymous to offer a candid perspective.
Having a former president in the mix for a future presidential run is uncharted territory for the RNC. In multiple interviews, Chair Ronna McDaniel has made clear she and the party plan to remain “neutral” during the primary season. In a sign of their commitment to not picking sides, the RNC passed a rule to bring back primary debates, giving candidates an equal advantage, and the presidential nominating process remains identical to 2016, among other things.
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