New ‘Trump card’ for most ardent supporters likened to Nazi insignia
Donald Trump has encouraged his followers to carry around ‘‘Trump cards’’ to signal their support.
Trump’s fundraising committee, Save America, sent out an email to his followers this week asking them to choose from four designs for the cards, which resemble credit cards.
One included a direct message from the former president, in which he said: ‘‘We are launching our OFFICIAL TRUMP CARDS soon. The card you select will be carried by Patriots all around the Country. They will be a sign of your dedicated support to our movement to SAVE AMERICA, and I’m putting my full trust in you.’’
It was not entirely clear what the card would be used for, or whether it gave supporters any extra privileges.
The email showed four designs, all featuring a blood red background and gold letterings, as well as an American flag background, his official seal and signature, and the words ‘‘official Trump card’’.
Some social media users described one of the designs, which features a golden eagle with outstretched wings, as being reminiscent of the imperial eagle and iconography of Third Reich Nazis.
Supporters who voted for their favourite design are redirected to a fundraising page.
‘‘President Trump wants to see your name at the top of the donor list,’’ it read, asking for a contribution of between $50 and $5000.
‘‘Donald Trump appreciates your input, and now he’s calling on YOU to take the next step to SAVE AMERICA!’’
The ‘‘Trump card’’ is the group’s latest fundraising merchandise. In an email on July 26, it announced it was selling signed photographs of Trump for $45.
It came after federal campaign filings showed Trump had a war chest of more than $100 million (NZ$142m). That figure counted at least $23m in transfers to Save America since Trump left office in January.
Much of the money raised by the Trump Make America Great Again Committee came through Trump’s recurring donation programme, which guided countless supporters into unwittingly making repeat donations through the use of pre-checked boxes.