Vice President JD Vance Urges Supporters to Prioritize Essentials Over Donations

A text message sent by Vice President JD Vance on behalf of the Republican National Committee encouraged recipients not to donate if they could not afford groceries. The fundraising text, shared on Tuesday by The Washington Post reporter Natalie Allison, stated: 'If you can't give right now, don't. Groceries cost what they cost.' The message continued with a fundraising link and was signed 'JD Vance.' Vance acknowledged the financial needs of the Republican National Committee, stating, 'Now the part I owe you honesty about... The Republican National Committee needs money.' He emphasized that he would not pressure supporters who were struggling financially, saying, 'I'm not going to make you feel guilty over a number.' The message included an itemized breakdown of how contributions would be used. Democrats responded to Vance's comments by criticizing the Trump-Vance administration for rising grocery prices. The Democratic National Committee claimed that Americans paid $310 more for groceries during the first year of Trump and Vance's administration compared to 2024. DNC Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer accused the administration of making life unaffordable for American families, attributing the increase in grocery prices to the administration's policies. However, Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicated that food prices were 2.7 percent higher in July 2026 compared to the previous year, while grocery prices had fallen 0.1 percent between June and July. The latest Federal Election Commission filings showed the RNC with approximately $130.4 million in cash on hand, while the DNC reported $16.33 million. The Daily Mail reached out to the Vice President's team for comment.