The party says it has to remain “neutral.”
QUICK FACTS:
- A fresh report released on Thursday claims that if Donald Trump declares his candidacy for president in 2024, Republicans would stop covering his legal fees.
- The Republican National Committee (RNC) has paid law firms representing the former president millions of dollars during government investigations and inquiries into his business dealings.
- An RNC official said the party’s “neutrality policy” prohibits it from supporting candidates in primaries, so as soon as Trump launches a campaign, the party’s financial backing will evaporate.
- “The party has to stay neutral,” RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said. “I’m not telling anybody to run or not to run in 2024.”
WHY THE GOP DOESN’T WANT TRUMP TO ANNOUNCE:
- Some believe the party’s chances in the midterm elections may suffer if Trump announces his candidacy for president before this year’s elections, according to officials.
- Kevin McCarthy, the minority leader in the House, claimed this week that he had urged Trump to postpone any announcement.
- “My point to him has always been, ‘Let’s go win ’22,'” McCarthy told Congressional reporters on Tuesday.
BACKGROUND:
- The RNC gave at least $1.73 million to law firms that defended Trump from October 2021 to June, according to information submitted to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC).
- In June alone, $50,000 was paid to a law firm defending Trump and some Republicans are wondering whether the RNC is really being fair in light of that financial report.
- The RNC also still includes using Trump’s name and likeness in its fundraising efforts, and the former president recently appeared in Washington D.C. for the first time in several years to speak for GOP causes.
