The news was first reported by RedState’s very own Jennifer Van Laar. After three consecutive election losses, someone in the Republican National Committee should have the moral fiber to step down. Unfortunately, given the current state of politics, none of this matters. Since the gravy from this train is so delicious, the Republicans are likely to reelect the same folks who oversaw the disastrous 2022 midterm campaign. However, Van Laar audited the RNC’s accounts, which brought up terrible memories of when the committee was exposed for spending money on strippers under the previous chairman Michael Steele.
To no one’s surprise, the Republican National Convention (RNC) this year spent like a bunch of drunk sailors on useless trinkets, echoing the RNC in 2010. This has fueled calls for new leadership. And it should infuriate the numerous Republican faithful who provide monthly contributions to the national committee. Private planes, gourmet dinners, and tickets to a Broadway show are examples of how this money is being spent, not on the party’s cause. As evidenced by RedState, these excursions may cost millions of dollars.
Late last week, October 7, 2022, a research was released to the public that analyzed RNC expenditures in 2021-22. RedState got this study. Nearly $500,000 was spent on private planes, $64,000 on clothing, and $321,000 on flowers.
RedState analyzed RNC expenditures from 2017–2022, comparing them to Ronna McDaniel’s presidency. Aside from checking FEC data, RedState also contacted current vendors, state party officials familiar with the inner workings, former employees (some of whom served during McDaniel’s tenure and others for prior chairs), and many current RNC members to validate figures and dates. People were more willing to share their thoughts if they could remain anonymous for fear of retaliation.
Many monetary dealings appear miscategorized, making it hard to track each cost. Two 2017 transactions totaling $9,300 were coded as “office cost,” one at Madison Square Garden and the other at Lululemon, a premium sportswear retailer.
The amount spent in the 2021–22 election cycle was similar to or even somewhat lower than the same period earlier in McDaniel’s leadership. According to FEC reports, the RNC has spent:
The entire cost of private jet charters was $3,100,000.
We paid $1.3 million for limo and chauffeur service.
Giving Thanks to Donors to the Tune of $17.1 Million
The $750,000 floral expenditure
To invest $80,000 in alcoholic pursuits
Spending on entertainment has reached over $400,000, with highlights being a $30,000 private box at a Las Vegas Raiders game, $13,000 worth of Broadway plays, $9,400 at Madison Square Garden, and $43,000 at Top Golf facilities in Texas, Nevada, Virginia, and Maryland.
An executive said that the company’s upper management took in a Raiders game from a VIP box as part of a weekend retreat. The employee claims that the RNC covered the cost of first-class plane tickets to Las Vegas for the top management and their guests and the cost of their hotel rooms, food, and alcohol while they were there.
Campaigning and party apparatus have been subpar for years, but we seldom bring it up (though perhaps we should). Regardless of which side you’re on, the infighting and dubious methods used to divide up the fundraising hauls stand out as significant flaws. There are liberal Democrats that are unhappy with the nomination process because of how the national party is structured.
The Potomac syndrome is not selective. In 2022, the National Republican Senatorial Committee will be the next Republican group to undergo an audit.