'Separate the two': GOP distances itself from Trump while fundraising for 2024 convention

The nonprofit run by the Republican National Convention's host committee is reportedly having to use "finesse" to win over donors, according to a new report.

Milwaukee 2024 Host Committee chair Reince Priebus — both a former Republican National Committee chairman and a former chief of staff to then-President Donald Trump — told Politico that his pitch to donors is more economic in nature than political. He told the outlet that the organization is on track to raise a goal of $70 million for next July's nominating convention, and is doing so by selling donors on the economic benefits to Milwaukee for hosting the event.

"The convention is about economic development and not who the nominee will be," Priebus said. "As a nonprofit, you have to separate the two."

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Priebus noted that as a nonprofit, the host committee can't make any overt political gestures. He added that while there are donors who are less than enthusiastic about former President Donald Trump being the party's nominee, "there are very well-known donors to President Trump that are also already supportive."

Business leader and philanthropist Ted Kellner, who is CEO of the host committee, also told Politico that his role is to put the politics of the convention to the side. He acknowledged that some donors have a "hard time distinguishing" the difference between the Republican National Committee and the Milwaukee 2024 Host Committee.

"We line up the hotels. We line up the transportation and the credentials and maybe organize some parties," Kellner said, stressing that his role doesn't involve the actual presidential nominating process. “And for the most part, the vast majority of people understand that.”

According to Politico, Kellner was also honorary host committee chair of the Democratic National Committee's nonprofit to host its 2020 nominating convention before the Covid-19 pandemic forced the party to host a virtual convention. Kellner is also a longtime friend of and donor to President Joe Biden.

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The 2024 Republican National Convention will take place from July 15 to July 18. The Democratic National Convention — which is in Chicago this year — is scheduled from August 19 to August 22.