Republicans Trying To Scam #FreeBritney For Money

Images: (Left: hnkkk via Wikimedia Commons, Right: @mattgaetz via Twitter)

It is well-known in political circles that a Republican bulk text message scheme has been spamming its users about 800 times a day begging for political contributions, and then using a “hidden pre-checked box” to bamboozle recurring donations out of people who had only meant to donate once. That’s totally reprehensible, but today, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) behind the spam texts is saying gimme more in a new and completely exploitative way. They are fundraising off the #FreeBritney movement, but not a single goddamn dime goes to Britney Spears or her legal defense, and they’re keeping all the money to try to put pro-insurrection conservatives in charge of the House of Representatives.

Above we see the text message that was sent at approximately 10:39 a.m. PT Wednesday morning, courtesy a screengrab from the New York Times’ Shane Goldmacher. “Britney Spears is a victim of toxic gov’t overreach & censorship. Join the fight for freedom. Sign NOW to #FreeBritney from the political circus.”

Okay, let’s visit the link at the end of that text message.

Screenshot: NRCC.org

There is a hot pink #FreeBritney graphic, and absolutely nothing else about Britney Spears on this entire page. It begs for your email and phone number, with the disclaimer that “By providing your phone number, you are joining a recurring text messaging program for the NRCC.” There is an “Add Your Name” button that does not add your name to anything, and just defaults back to the same page if you click on it. And of course there is a Donate button. Hmmm, does your donation go to support Britney Spears’ ongoing conservatorship case?  

Screenshot: WinRed.com

Hell motherfucking no it does not! The Donate button goes to a page that asks you to “Show your support for House Conservatives & take a stand against the radical left’s agenda by giving a gift today.” And indeed we also see the checkboxes, which very disingenuously plays down the recurring donation, and sells this as “an EXCLUSIVE INVITE to the 1776 Patriots Club. Decline this invite and you’re letting down Freedom-loving patriots across the nation.”

#FreeBritney https://t.co/nKdrKlQyOB

— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) July 14, 2021

Even teen-fucking statutory rapist Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Venmo) is getting in on the action, and he gets plenty of money from the NRCC. Again, Britney Spears does not get any money from the NRCC.

um, what?? (also, since when does the NRCC believe in a woman's right to control her uterus?) https://t.co/SJ7MU2mgwt

— Judy Zamore (@jzamore) July 14, 2021

Republicans are grifting off the #FreeBritney bandwagon, exploiting a woman for money when she’s trying to fight being exploited for money. And to anyone who falls for this fundraising scam, we should warn you that it will hit you baby one more time on a recurring basis every month.

https://t.co/YaFS53eoYQ pic.twitter.com/NhwKezLIc1

— Katie (@KayTeeeOh) July 14, 2021