GOP Rep Blasts Trump Campaign Fundraising Emails as a ‘Big Grift’

#Republican #Representative #Adam #Kinzinger called out #President #Donald #Trump’s campaign fundraiser emails on #Wednesday.

“#Where I feel really bad is just the people that are, you know, struggling during the pandemic are giving #President #Trump’s campaign money for this recount because they believe him, said #Kinzinger during an interview with CNN’s #New #Day.

“#And it’s just a scam it’s a big grift,” #Kinzinger added. “#Hard-working taxpayers are giving their money to this because they are convinced because the president’s telling them that they can win.”

The #Trump campaign sent out over 500 emails since the presidential election on #November 3. #More than 400 of those emails contained fundraising solicitations.

A large number of the emails focused on unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in the presidential election although most of the lawsuits filed from #Trump’s campaign turned out unsuccessful in proving any voting irregularities contributed to #President-elect #Joe #Biden’s win.

“#This may be the most important email I ever send you,” said one fundraising email, sent on #December 3. “I want to provide an update on our ongoing efforts to expose the tremendous voting irregularities that took place during the ridiculously long #November 3rd #Election.”

“#As #President, I have no higher duty than to defend the laws of the #Constitution of the #United #States. #That is why I am determined to protect our #Election system– which is under attack– but I cannot do it alone,” the email continued. “I need YOUR HELP.”

The email went on to ask for a $5 contribution to “fight for the integrity of our election” but also listed ways for recipients to donate larger amounts of money, before claiming: “#Bottom line, we are going to defend the honesty of the vote, ensuring every LEGAL ballot is COUNTED, and that NO ILLEGAL ballot is counted.”

#Other fundraising emails sent by the president follow a similar format. #More recent emails have also claimed donations would “save the #Senate from the radical left” ahead of #Georgia’s #Senate runoff elections.

#However, #Vox reported that these emails were misleading. A close read of the emails’ fine print reportedly revealed the donations largely contribute to paying down campaign debt and funding #Trump’s post-presidency operations.

The approach, nonetheless, has been successful. The #Trump campaign and the #Republican #National #Committee (RNC) announced on #December 3 that they raised over $200 million since #Election #Day.

“These tremendous fundraising numbers show #President #Trump remains the leader and source of energy for the #Republican #Party, and that his supporters are dedicated to fighting for the rightful, legal outcome of the 2020 general election,” campaign manager #Bill #Stepien said in a statement.

#Newsweek reached out to #Kinzinger’s office, the #White #House and the #Trump campaign but didn’t hear back in time for publication.