I’ve attended every GOP convention since 2004. ‘Trumpapalooza’ is a grift
Republicans kick off a gathering on Wednesday in Dallas billed by the Republican National Committee as the party’s first-ever midterm convention.
TL;DR
- The Republican National Committee's event in Dallas is not a true convention but a fundraising "Trumpapalooza."
- The event lacks party business, nominee selection, or platform approval, functioning as a Trump rally.
- It's seen as a "grift" to raise money from donors and interest groups before Republicans might lose control of Congress.
- Access to the event was sold by state parties, with some charging hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- The author criticizes the lack of transparency in fundraising, with money flowing through state parties and dark-money vehicles.
- This practice could divert donor funds from actual candidates and potentially damage vulnerable Republican incumbents.
- The author warns that if this model succeeds, it could be replicated in future conventions, disadvantaging non-donor delegates.