A fundraising text message sent on behalf of the Republican National Committee (RNC) advised potential donors against contributing if they were struggling financially, specifically mentioning the cost of groceries. The message, attributed to Vice President JD Vance, stated, "If you can't give right now, don't. Groceries cost what they cost." This approach was intended to avoid pressuring supporters facing economic hardship.
The text, which was shared by The Washington Post's White House reporter Natalie Allison, also included a frank acknowledgment of the party's financial needs. "The Republican National Committee needs money. That's true of every party committee, and anyone who tells you otherwise is doing the exact thing I just apologized for. So I'm not going to dress it up," the message read. It then directed recipients to an itemized breakdown of how contributions would be used.
Democrats quickly responded to the message, using Vance's reference to grocery costs to criticize the administration's handling of the economy. Kendall Witmer, the Democratic National Committee's Rapid Response Director, accused the administration of increasing living costs for American families and suggested that policies, including tariffs and foreign policy, were contributing to budget pressures. The DNC claimed Americans had paid $310 more for groceries during the first year of the Trump-Vance administration compared to 2024.
However, recent federal data presents a more varied picture of food prices. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food intended for home consumption were 2.7 percent higher in July 2026 than in July 2025. Yet, grocery prices saw a slight decrease of 0.1 percent between June and July 2026. Individual food items have also shown divergent trends, with egg prices falling while beef prices have increased.
Financial filings indicate a significant disparity in the cash reserves of the two major parties. As of July 31, 2026, the RNC reported approximately $130.4 million in cash on hand. In comparison, the Democratic National Committee's latest filing, covering activity through June 30, 2026, showed $16.33 million in reserve. The Vice President's team was contacted for comment on the fundraising message.