Trump’s Tithes: The Party of Lincoln Sells Out to Corporate Cash

The Republican National Committee (RNC) is holding its midterms convention in Dallas, Texas, this September. Despite the party’s claims of fiscal responsibility, it has abandoned all pretenses by charging attendees exorbitant fees for photo opportunities with President Donald Trump.

For $88,600, attendees can snap a photo with Trump himself – significantly cheaper than joining him for a roundtable discussion at $250,000. State party websites are offering “honorary delegate” status for as much as $20,000, while members of Congress are being charged upwards of $25,000 to attend – with some top-tier tickets priced at a staggering $100,000.

The RNC’s reliance on corporate sponsors is clear: despite raising only $9 million for his own Senate campaign, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured significant funding from unnamed donors. This influx of cash will likely be used to take on rising Democratic star James Talarico in the midterms.

By putting a price tag on photo ops with Trump and offering “honorary delegate” status to high-rollers, the RNC is essentially selling influence. The party’s actions scream “crony capitalism,” where access and money are exchanged like commodities at a market stall. This brazen display of cronyism contradicts the Republican Party’s core values: limited government and free markets.

The party has long prided itself on championing these principles, but its current actions suggest that policies are up for sale. The RNC is inviting corporate sponsors to foot the bill for the midterms convention, and it seems this gamble is not just about raising cash for individual campaigns.

Trump’s decision to put himself front and center in his party’s midterms campaigning this year – despite his approval ratings languishing in the low 30s – suggests a desperate bid to shore up support. The timing of the convention, coinciding with the NFL season opener and one day before the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, is also noteworthy.

The RNC’s gamble may backfire, especially considering widespread opposition to Trump’s war with Iran and ongoing concern about the high cost of living. As the party sells out to the highest bidder, it’s clear that fiscal responsibility has taken a backseat to corporate cash. The true cost will likely be significant – not just in dollars and cents, but in its very soul.