• by Ray Schultz , April 24, 2020

The Trump campaign is being criticized for allegedly exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to sell campaign swag. 

The offer is presented as “a beneficent act on the part of Trump himself,” writes the leftist magazine Mother Jones.

The email letter dispenses with the word “Dear” in its greeting, simply addressing the recipient as “Friend.”

It reads as follows:

Friend,

We have some exciting news to tell you. 

President Trump knows the past few weeks have been extremely difficult for Americans from all across the Nation. He appreciates your unwavering support during this time and wants you to know that it has not gone unnoticed. 

He wanted to do something special for you to show you how much your loyalty means to him, so he’s asked us to give you EXCLUSIVE ACCESS to get our Official Trump-Pence Pint Glasses.

All you have to do is place an order by 11:59 PM TONIGHT, and we’ll send you a set o these beautiful, American-made Trump-Pence Pint Glasses.

These will sell out FAST, so make sure to place your order RIGHT NOW.

Mother Jones says this “sounds like a bad joke. But it’s not. While tens of thousands of Americans are dying, Trump and his campaign decided he could console his supporters and show them he’s on their side by peddling them campaign tchotckes.”

The letter goes on to request a $250 contribution, Mother Jones says.

To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, the world may little note, nor long remember, this email -- seeing it as only one more message in a ever-more fraught political year. But, for the record, Trump has also sent emails offering “BRAND NEW” trump-Pence 2020 Playing Cards” and an “Official Trump Puzzle.