The Trump-affiliated PAC Never Surrender, Inc. used an official White House photo of a dignified transfer to promote a paid “National Security Briefing Membership,” promising access to Trump’s “private national security briefings.” The image — which shows a flag-draped transfer case at Dover Air Force Base — and the fundraising pitch drew immediate criticism from public officials. The solicitation, first reported by Patriot Takes, appears amid an ongoing conflict with Iran that has claimed 13 U.S. service members, and both the White House and RNC did not respond to requests for comment.
Trump PAC Used White House Photo From Dignified Transfer to Sell ‘Private National Security Briefings,’ Sparking Outrage
President Donald Trump attends the dignified transfer of the remains of six US service members killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait, at Dover Air Force Base on March 7. A version of this image was used in a political fundraising email from Trump's political action committee. - Daniel Torok/White House
A fundraising email from Never Surrender, Inc., a political action committee affiliated with former President Donald Trump, used an official White House photograph of a recent dignified transfer to promote a paid “National Security Briefing Membership.” The solicitation, which included multiple donation links, promised members access to Trump’s “private national security briefings” and caused immediate criticism for using imagery of fallen service members in a fundraising appeal.
What the Email Promised
The message described the membership as an exclusive channel for “unfiltered updates on the threats facing America,” promising “the straight truth on border invasions, foreign adversaries, deep state sabotage, and every danger the fake news hides.” Supporters were urged to “claim your spot” and make a sustaining contribution on a linked donation page that features bold, capitalized appeals to complete the “MAGA agenda.”
Photo and Context
The email featured an official White House photograph of Trump saluting during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base. The image shows a flag-draped transfer case — the standard container used to return the remains of service members — and was taken during a ceremony honoring six fallen U.S. soldiers. Dignified transfers are solemn military traditions that mark the return of service members killed overseas.
Reaction and Reporting
The message was first reported by Patriot Takes, a researcher affiliated with the MeidasTouch Network. Screenshots circulated on social media and drew rebukes from Democratic officials and others. New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim criticized the fundraising pitch on X, while the press office for California Gov. Gavin Newsom called the solicitation “fundraising off of dead soldiers” and described it as “deeply sick and disgusting.”
“I AM PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP. YOU’RE THE ONLY REASON WE SAVED AMERICA,”
The linked donation page carries similarly emotive language and asks supporters to make a “small sustaining contribution” to help “complete the MAGA agenda.”
Broader Context
The solicitation is one of several recent fundraising appeals tied to the ongoing conflict with Iran. The article notes that, so far, 13 U.S. service members have been killed in the war with Iran; the president has acknowledged that more casualties are possible. When asked whether he expected to attend additional dignified transfers, Trump said, “I’m sure. I hate to … but it’s a part of war.”
Responses From Officials
CNN reported that neither the White House nor the Republican National Committee responded to a request for comment. The fundraising email and its use of the photo have prompted debate about the ethics of using images of fallen service members in political solicitations.
Sources: The fundraising message and photo were reported by Patriot Takes and reviewed by CNN; statements from Sen. Andy Kim and the press office of Gov. Gavin Newsom were circulated on social media.
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