Newsmax is complaining – the RNC wants it to cough up four million bucks for the “privilege” of holding the upcoming GOP Presidential candidate’s (minus Trump of course) debate. In fact, according to Raw Story Newsmax executives are “furious” with the RNC. Apparently they have accused the RNC of manipulating who controls the debates.
So, it seems GOP infighting is happening in more places than the House of Representatives. Or between those calling themselves Presidential candidates vying to be the nominee instead of Trump. On that latter point, despite Trump’s objections the RNC has held candidate debates and the forth one is supposed to take place this coming week. And it seems all is not sun shine and roses in GOP debate land.
Newsmax seems to have thought it was all set for them to host the event. That they had an agreement. However they are now having a problem with the organizer/sponsor which happens to be the RNC and its embattled head Ronna McDaniel. According to the linked article there’s an issue with an earlier demand for 2 million as a “junior partner” to ABC which was also supposed to carry the Tuscaloosa event. One has to wonder just what’s been going on because:
According to Alex Thompson of Axios “The RNC also approached Newsmax about being the primary sponsor for the upcoming fourth GOP debate — which will be Wednesday in Tuscaloosa, Ala. — and would have required Newsmax to spend about $4 million producing the debate.”
No wonder that Newsmax has accused the RNC of “moving the goalposts:”
In a statement, Newsmax complained, “Since the beginning of the process the RNC under [chair] Ronna McDaniel has consistently lied and obfuscated to Newsmax about us hosting a debate, so it’s clear to us the RNC’s goal has been to make sure anti-Trump media control the GOP debates.”
There are a couple of things to keep in mind. However in the end it all boils down to money and who ultimately gets it. McDaniel as you know has incurred her share of Trump’s wrath for holding any debates at all. He believes given the polls (incredibly he leads them all) he should get the nomination by acclimation. McDaniel has however tried to maintain an appearance of impartiality, to hold a “fair” process. Why? She hopes mega donors who’ve abandoned the RNC in droves will fall for her claim of being “impartial” and start giving to them again. However, the mega donors can see right through THAT.
The only reason she’s been able to hang onto her job in the first place is that she turned over the RNC fundraising to Trump allowing him to tap it’s resources. He’s the one who controls the RNC’s money and that includes what happens with money it raises. The mega donors don’t want their money going to Trump, so most are holding back from the RNC and it, like the state Party equivalents are strapped for cash.
That brings us back to this four million dollar shakedown. Newsmax I think feels like it’s a shakedown (it is) not just because they believe McDaniel is trying (despite her claims to the contrary) to skew things in Trump’s favor, AND collect some money that will pass through to Trump. Newsmax has a rather complicated history when it comes to Trump. As you can read about here they’ve both benefitted and been harmed by their “relationship” with Trump. They made out quite well for a while but the Dominion lawsuit change things for them and not for the better.
Also, Smartmatic and it’s lawsuit is progressing so they have reason to be cautious when it come to Trump. After all the downsizing Newsmax got a boost when Fox dumped Tucker Carlson but again they don’t want to push their luck. Being Trump toadies cost them. A LOT. And they know damn well that four million to the RNC is largely a donation to Trump which is something they don’t want to have to defend with Smartmatic’s lawsuit which is larger than Dominion’s.
And the cash strapped RNC? This shakedown might have seemed like an easy way to get their hands on some apparently badly needed daily operating cash. Wouldn’t you love to see the look on Ronna McDaniels’ (and others at the RNC) face when Trump demands the bulk of that money be forwarded to HIM? The word “Priceless” comes to mind.
In the end, conservatives seem to be finding new ways to squabble with each other. As we are learning this infighting isn’t limited to the elected folks – it’s spreading in RWNJ media. It might be worth paying attention to in the weeks and months ahead.
Newsmax’s faux concern about the RNC’s goal being “to make sure anti-Trump media controls the debate” is hilarious since Trump has shown absolutely ZERO interest in participating in ANY of the debates. Trump doesn’t care if the debates are being controlled by “anti-Trump media” or “pro-Trump media” because he believes he’s owed the nomination without any opposition from anyone. That’s the definition of “spoiled man-child.” (One could add “privileged” to the description but that’s probably redundant.)
It’s a mystery what goes through these people’s minds. I am however pretty sure money is a big factor here, and more specifically some residual anger. Shilling for Trump so openiy cost Newsmax huge. Getting kicked off DirecTV was a real slam to their fortunes. Knowing much of the four million the RNC has demanded will wind up in Trump’s nasty hands has got to irk the hell out of them!
Newsmax could just say no. If they have such problems with their money eventually going to former guy, don’t host/hold the debates. Seems pretty simple.