Just hours after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the launch of a formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump, his campaign began fundraising off the news.
A joint fundraising committee authorized by Trump and the Republican National Committee sent out an email to supporters that implied a transcript of a phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was attached. The email’s subject line contained an emoji of a paperclip and the words “Call Transcript.”
A July 25 phone call between the two leaders is the subject of a whistleblower complaint alleging Trump urged Zelensky to work with his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani to investigate Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, and his ties to an energy company owned by a Ukrainian oligarch.
The Tuesday email, which is penned under Trump’s name, calls Pelosi’s decision “another smear job,” and teases that when the transcript of the phone call is released, which Trump has said is forthcoming, it will prove no wrongdoing.
“I’VE DONE NOTHING WRONG. TRUST ME, YOU’LL SEE THE TRANSCRIPT,” underline text blares across the page.
“Nervous Nancy has let this go too far and it’s only going to get worse,” the email reads. “American’s fearless resolve has always protected this great country from these types of disgusting attacks on our Country. And I know, today will be no different.”
The fundraising pitch also announced the formation of an “Official Impeachment Defense Task Force,” although it doesn’t elaborate upon if the entity actually exists or what its purpose is other than adding that donors will be “representing our Impeachment Defense front for all of your state.”
“I’ve asked my team to give me a list of every American who contributes and joins my Official Impeachment Defense Task Force. Will I see your name on there?” the email continues.
It ends with a sign-off by the president and a link urging supporters to donate $5 to “join” the so-called task force.
