Republican House Leader Touts Trump Fundraising ‘Badge’ as Reason to Endorse Trump to Colleagues

(AP Photo/Hans Pennink, File)

House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) made a point of touting a “Trump badge” as a benefit procured by those who endorse former President Donald Trump in his quest to reclaim the White House at a conference meeting on Wednesday.

According to Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman, Stefanik “said she has received a 25% bump in digital fundraising since using the ‘Trump badge’ on her solicitations.”

“People who have endorsed can use this badge. Stefanik said she can help those who endorsed Trump get this badge,” reported Sherman.

INSIDE HOUSE GOP MEETING

ELISE STEFANIK, House GOP conference chair, said she has received a 25% bump in digital fundraising since using the “Trump badge” on her solicitations.

People who have endorsed can use this badge. Stefanik said she can help those who endorsed Trump get…

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) November 29, 2023

Stefanik began her career in the House as a moderate, but has become one of the most reflexive, stalwart advocates of the former president over the past several years.

In 2016, Stefanik accused Trump of “tapping into the fear today of our security situation” and opined that Republicans “should expect more substance out of our candidates.”

Reacting to the infamous Access Hollywood of Trump making misogynistic remarks, Stefanik declared that “Donald Trump’s inappropriate, offensive comments are just wrong” regardless of “when he said them or whatever the context.”

But Stefanik fiercely defended Trump during both efforts to impeach him and endorsed Trump immediately after the 2022 midterms, even before he had officially announced that he would seek the presidency again.

“It’s very clear President Trump is the leader of the Republican party,” said Stefanik at a time of great political vulnerability for the former president. Many observers blamed Trump’s incessant whining about the results of the 2020 election and endorsement of poor candidates for Republicans’ disappointing sho

“I am proud to endorse Donald J. Trump for President in 2024,” she wrote in a statement. “President Trump has always put America First, and I look forward to supporting him so we can save America.”