And no, not Trump.
Rather, it was former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, one of Trump's GOP primary opponents, who's previously said the former president has no future in the Republican Party.
"It’s more important than ever that we stand up for our founding ideas and American values. That means defending capitalism, protecting freedom, and ensuring American security," wrote Haley, who directed recipients to fill out a "top secret" and "confidential" survey that asked questions about matters such as inflation, critical race theory, and securing the Southern border.
Complete the survey, and Haley and the RNC prompt you to make a donation that will "benefit RNC and Nikki Haley for President."
The timing of the Haley/RNC fundraising message — while decidedly curious — wasn't tied to Trump's indictment, but instead, a case of coincidental pre-scheduling, a person familiar with the email's distribution told Raw Story.
Republican National Committee / Nikki Haley for President fundraising email from the night former President Donald Trump was federally indicted. (Email screenshot)
Reached late Thursday night, RNC spokesperson Emma Vaughn told Raw Story that "we are already fundraising with other GOP presidential candidates." In recent weeks, GOP candidates Vivek Ramaswamy and Mike Pence — although Pence wasn't yet declared at the time — teamed with the RNC on similar fundraising emails.
Vaughn also noted the RNC on Thursday night sent a Trump-themed text message to supporters that led them to a donation page that in part declared, "We're witnessing what seems to be an unprecedented WITCH HUNT against President Trump, and we can't afford to have Patriotic Americans like YOU sit on the sidelines any longer."
The donation page, however, did not provide an option to split a donation with Trump's 2024 presidential campaign — money would only go to the RNC.
Trump is slated to travel to Miami, Fla., on Tuesday to respond to the charges. Trump has already been arraigned in a separate criminal matter in New York City, where he is charged with 34 felony counts that involve allegedly falsifying business records in connection to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Trump denies any wrongdoing.
"I AM AN INNOCENT MAN!" he said Thursday night.
