Fed Up With Political Begging? Fight Back by Asking Them for Cash
Political fundraising messages have become an unavoidable nuisance for many Americans, with elected officials and advocacy groups bombarding supporters through text and email at all hours. One writer, Mark Schorr, has documented his own experience of being hounded by figures such as Hakeem Jeffries, Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, Ted Cruz, Chuck Schumer, Bernie Sanders, Jim Jordan, and Kamala Harris, all seeking contributions.
Schorr, the author of a dozen novels who once worked as a press spokesperson for a New York State assemblyman later convicted of fraud, describes receiving as many as ten texts and eight emails in a single day. He notes that Jeffries alone has messaged him from six different phone numbers. Even after using stop and block features, the deluge continues.
Among the messages he has received are ones from Jeffries stating, “I asked once. I asked twice. I asked a third time. I’m asking again today.” Another, purportedly from someone with access to nuclear codes, reads: “My phone’s battery is on 5 percent, so this has to be quick. I sent you an invitation to my Inner Circle, but I haven’t heard back. I want you to advise me! Your final deadline to accept is in 15 minutes.” A third, from Trump, says: “Wake up… ALL HELL IS ABOUT TO BREAK LOOSE! Will you do one final favor for me before it’s too late? If you help me out RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW, I’ll have my team add your name to my Inner Circle Roster, where you can begin advising me on what my top priorities should be.”
Schorr also cites a message from the Vaccine Advisory Board: “Are you getting my texts? You still haven’t responded. I’m reaching out … one last time.” The mayor of Chicago, too, appears to believe Schorr wants to support him. These solicitations come from politicians, political action committees, and special interest groups on both sides of the aisle, often with dire warnings that the country will be ruined unless money is sent immediately.
After donating to one politician and then seeing a surge in messages, Schorr wrote to her asking for a guarantee that his name would not be shared. She never replied. He questions whether such aggressive tactics actually raise money effectively, or whether they alienate potential supporters. He contrasts shrill, flattering appeals—like one from Michael Whatley that read, “Who are the battle-tested patriots in our corner who will give me the unvarnished truth about what they are seeing on the ground? Your name was at the very top of the ledger.”—with blatantly manipulative ones such as, “Do you want Donald Trump’s face on your money? Please complete the poll or be marked yes.”
Schorr suspects he is not alone in his frustration and proposes a collective response: whenever a politician or political group asks for money, reply by asking them for money instead. He offers sample scripts. One begins, “Hello Fellow Patriot,” and continues: “I am several thousand dollars short of my first of the month funding deadline. I know you care about me since you have written to me so many times. Would you be willing to send me a few hundred dollars to push me on to victory over debt?” Another reads: “Dear Concerned Citizen: My landlord has raised my rent, the cost of fuel is soaring, and a trip to the grocery store tests my credit card balance. Can you help me with this dire financial crisis? As an elected official, I know you have access to more funding than I do. Send as much as you can, but any amount is appreciated.” A third says: “Greetings Respected American. This is not a request for money, as I am sure you get too many of those. I’m just looking for your opinion on issues impacting our country today. Do you feel our country is headed in the right direction? I didn’t think so. Are you willing to contribute as little as $100 to help get us back on track?”
He advises including Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal details in any such replies. While he doubts any money will actually be received, he suggests the tactic could at least annoy the senders as much as they annoy voters. He also floats the idea of a group effort, though he notes the name “Citizens United” is already taken.
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