Donald Trump starts fundraising off his own assassination attempt
MILWAUKEE — Less than 24 hours after being shot in the ear, former President Donald Trump is raising money off the attempt on his life.
"I am Donald J. Trump, and I will NEVER SURRENDER!" reads an email to supporters that includes an altered photograph of a bloodied Trump — a photo that appears to match one originally taken Saturday by Associated Press photographer Evan Vucci and uncredited. "I will always love you for supporting me. Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again."
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Supporters who click a red and blue "MAGA" button over Trump's digital signature are taken to a donation page where they're urged to donate at least $24, with other pre-set options ranging up to $3,300.
A scrolling list highlights the names and donation amounts of people the Trump campaign say have donated — "$24.98 just donated by Kent C.", "$104.98 just donated by Val Y." and so forth.
A fundraising message July 14, 2024, from Donald Trump's presidential campaign. (Screenshot)
A fundraising message July 14, 2024, from Donald Trump's presidential campaign. (Screenshot)
Money raised benefits the Trump National Committee joint fundraising committee, which benefits the Trump presidential campaign and the Republican National Committee.
The Associated Press did not immediately respond to questions from Raw Story about the apparent use of its photo.
The Trump fundraising come-on further asks supporters to check boxes to cover processing fees, make a contribution monthly and automatically donate an additional amount of money on Thursday, the day when Trump is expected to formally accept the Republican Party's presidential nomination here at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum, where the Republican National Convention begins Monday.
Trump's campaign says the former president, who is running against Democratic President Joe Biden, plans to travel to Milwaukee as scheduled. Trump is expected to announce his vice presidential running mate while in Milwaukee.
While Biden has enjoyed a fundraising advantage most of this year, Trump's fundraising has surged in recent weeks, particularly following a Manhattan jury finding Trump guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments designed to buy the silence of former porn actress Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 presidential election, which Trump one. Daniels says she had a sexual affair with Trump. Trump denies the affair.
Trump has previously — and widely — used his mugshot photo from one of his three other criminal prosecutions in fundraising promotions.
Trump isn't the only one attempting to raise money off his attempted assassination.
Several grifters selling trading cards, t-shirts, and tote bags are also attempting to capitalize on the shooting Saturday in Pennsylvania, which killed one man and wounded another. The gunman — 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks — was killed by the U.S. Secret Service.