Trump Sends 'Creepy' Fundraising Email About Needing Donations Due To 'Woke Mind Virus' Infiltration

It also included rhetoric tapping into culture-war sentiments that have become central to Trump's messaging in recent years.

Urgent Appeal Tied to Culture War Language

The fundraising email, screenshots of which have circulated online, warned supporters that unless they acted swiftly, future rebate checks tied to tariff revenues could be rerouted to immigrants or 'illegals', urging them to donate within a one-hour deadline to avert that outcome.

Although a precise transcript from the Trump campaign has not been published on an official campaign channel at the time of writing, the circulated image included phrases such as 'Troubles are BOILING OVER' and 'REBATE CHECKS ON THE LINE' designed to evoke urgency.

The term 'woke mind virus' was also used in the messaging to describe ideological threats posed by progressive policies, a phrase that has been increasingly common in the rhetoric of conservative activists, elected officials and some business figures such as Elon Musk.

Scholars of political communication note that phrases like 'woke mind virus' lack an objective definition and are typically used as a rhetorical shorthand for opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, gender-identity policies and progressive cultural stances.

Political Context and Campaign Strategy

Trump's campaign is intensifying fundraising efforts as the 2026 midterms approach, and his own political organisation seeks to maintain momentum. Direct appeals to small donors have become central to his strategy, leveraging email, text messages and social media to reach supporters.

The rhetoric in the email aligns with a broader pattern seen in Republican fundraising and digital targeting over recent election cycles. For example, Trump's 2016 campaign used extensive voter databases such as 'Project Alamo' to tailor messaging, and subsequent campaigns have continually sought to refine targeted appeals.

However, this particular email has drawn attention because of its fusion of financial incentives with culture-war language, a blend that political analysts say reflects Trump's ongoing efforts to energise his base.

Its use of alarmist and divisive phrases illustrates how modern political fundraising messages blend policy arguments with emotional appeals to sustain donor engagement.

Critics Raise Concerns Over Accuracy

Opposition figures and commentators have condemned the email's language as misleading and fear-mongering. The notion that Democrats would redirect financial entitlements without legislative process lacks support in the official record, and independent fact-checkers have repeatedly cautioned against accepting unverified claims about government payments circulating in political appeals.

Democratic strategists argue that blending economic claims with provocative cultural terminology is a tactic designed to pique attention and maximise short-term donations, even if the underlying assertions are unsubstantiated.

They contend this approach undermines trust in public discourse by amplifying fringe concerns over factual policy debates.

Nevertheless, Trump's campaign appears to be doubling down on this messaging ahead of critical fundraising deadlines.

Supporters receiving the email were presented with prominent links and call-to-action buttons such as 'STAND WITH TRUMP' and 'STOP THE BOIL', designed to convert urgency into immediate contributions.