Summary

This document provides news and information about the problem of excessive unsolicited Republican political text messages being sent out in 2024.

Long-time donating RNC members recognize this became more of a problem in recent years.

Document Goals

Here are the goals this document intends to achieve:

Provide insights and guidance to those who feel inundated by many disruptive unsolicited text messages.
Offer observations and suggestions regarding how the current text message campaign can be improved.
Perhaps this document can persuade the current RNC outreach team to provide a remedy to the current problems.

This document does not intent to criticize the Republican Party, or expose confidential campaigning methods, but is only intended to point out a problem with the current practice of using mass distribution of unsolicited text messages being conducted by some party members.

You will see that this document is organized with constructive suggestions at the top, and concerns listed at the bottom.

How to Stop Text Message Spam

Fox News suggests blocking senders and reporting the text messages as spam. [Source] To do this, look for that option at the bottom of messages you receive. On an Apple iPhone, you will see blue text “Report Junk” and when you tap that, you’ll see the option for “Delete and Report Junk.”

In our own 2024 study of text messages from the Republican Party, blocking and reporting seems to only increase the number of spam text messages.

Sometimes immediately following a block and report request, more text messages will flow in as if the block request was somehow reported to the sender, allowing them to contact the recipient again using a different number.

Sending a “STOP” request to the sender typically results in more message from the sender using a different phone number. Or, no reaction at all, and messages will continue to be sent despite the “STOP” request.

NOTE: Using the “Block and Report” option will result in your phone having a growing block list of arbitrary numbers. That makes the list harder to manage. Since the distribution method seems to use many different phone numbers, the block list is really useless since different numbers are used going forward.

Adjust Your Phone Settings

If you’re receiving a large number of spam texts daily, you can use a filter settings for your messages. For iPhone users, go to your messages, and in the upper left corner tap on the < arrow. The filter options will show to display and you can select to view:

All Messages
Known Senders
Unknown Senders
Unread Messages
Recently Deleted

You can tap on the Known Senders option to view messages from friends, family, and others from past text exchanges and those who are in your address book.

Each day, at the end of the day, you can use the Unknown Senders filter to view the messages from the day which will mostly be political text messages and other text spam. From that list, you can easily swipe left to delete entries, or choose to Block and Report, or use the “STOP” option to unsubscribe.

Doing the cleanup of messages daily makes the task less disruptive and more efficient.

You may want to consider taking screenshots of each message before deleting in case you need to refer back to something.

Using this method of filtering out unknown senders during the day, you can use a phone stand and keep an eye on incoming messages from known senders. You’ll have a clean display of important incoming messages.

Possible Opt-Out Method

Here is a possible method of escaping the overwhelming stream of text messages.

Go to the WinRed.com website and login.
You will initially be presented with a “Team Pages” summary page at this web page address — https://portal.winred.com/team-pages/pages
Click on the profile icon in the top right of the screen and from the menu that appears, choose My Account.
This will take you to the individual donor dashboard on this web page address — https://app.winred.com/profile
At the bottom of the page on the left you will find your contact information that includes email, a billing address, along with Home Phone and Mobile Phone. Below that is a box for your Shipping address which is used for merchandise purchases.
If you remove your phone numbers and try to leave the phone number boxes empty, then press the Save button, you’ll get a message stating that the changes were saved. However, you’ll find your number is still listed.
You must enter a phone number in each of those boxes. What seems to work is entering your area code and then 000-0000 as the number.
- NOTE: Entering your area code may help if you want to be marketed to or contacted based on your area code. So, if someone is conducting a direct mail campaign, and chooses an area based on area code rather than zip code, they can still reach you via postal mail.

It’s possible that the team managing the WinRed platform is not selling the address list, but instead allowing campaigns to use the platform for a price. If that’s what’s happening, then outreach blasts are being run based on live active information. Future outreach blasts will reach you by your postal address, but no longer reach your mobile phone. We are currently testing this opt-out method in October 2024.

As of 12 Oct 2024, the method of removing a phone number from the WinRed database does not seem to stop the text messages.

Message Volume Tracking

Here are the results of testing we’ve done using the phone number of a long-time regular RNC donor. In September, prior to this test, numerous “STOP” requests were submitted. The number of daily messages seemed to increase. After the “STOP” requests were seemingly ignored, the option to “Block and Report” was used for all subsequent messages leading into the month of October.

1 Oct 2024 — 59 messages received. Blocked and reported all.
2 Oct 2024 — 52 messages received. Blocked and reported all.
3 Oct 2024 — 57 messages received. Blocked and reported all.
4 Oct 2024 — 61 messages received. Blocked and reported all. On this date, removed the number from the WinRed profile page by changing it to area code + 000-0000 (as explained above under the “Possible Escape Method” heading, but kept the postal address.
5 Oct 2024 — 42 messages received from 8:33 am to 7:26 pm. Blocked and reported all.
6 Oct 2024 — 48 messages received from 8:27 am to 7:45 pm. Blocked and reported all.
7 Oct 2024 — 55 messages received from 8:53 am to 7:13 pm. Blocked and reported all.
8 Oct 2024 — 64 messages received from 8:30 am to 9:57 pm. Blocked and reported all.
9 Oct 2024 — 66 messages received from 10:04 am to 8:33 pm. Blocked and reported all.
10 Oct 2024 — 75 messages received from 8:03 am to 7:43 pm. Blocked and reported all.
11 Oct 2024 — 44 messages received from 8:00 am to 7:24 pm. Blocked and reported all.
12 Oct 2024 — 49 messages received from 8:24 am to 7:47 pm. Blocked and reported all.

For October 10, the number of messages was much higher than usual. A rate of 75 messages over 11.7 hours is about one message every 10 minutes. Since they are not received uniformly, sometimes several will arrive over a short period of time.

Best Practice for Text Message Distribution

For the reasons listed below in this document, it’s better to utilize more trusted and professional practices that are fully within the guidelines and laws governing unsolicited direct marketing.

For example, some politicians send supporters to their own campaign website. Those supporters who click the Donate button get sent directly to the WinRed.com website and have the option to opt-in for text messages.

For those who opt-in, a text message will be sent with a verification message stating, “This is the only number we will be communication with you from.”

In this way, donors can save a specific number in their contacts list under the name of the politician. In this way, imposter text messages coming from another number could be easily identified as fake.

This is the more effective and ethical way to use text messaging. It is, in fact, what a few Republican candidates were doing before they got pushed out during the Primary process. They were following best practices.

Just about every organization and business offers an easy reliable one-click unsubscribe as well as the ability to personalize a subscription based on interests. Why doesn’t the Republican Party offer this?

An Apology

On 28 Sep 2024, a Republican legislator sent out a text message to the GOP list stating: “I’m so incredibly sorry that some politicians send you 30 text messages a day. I’m sorry some of these folks pretend to be President Trump when the $ doesn’t go to his campaign. I’m sorry they do things like make you pay just to submit a survey.” Their message concluded with a donation request for their own campaign.

It’s somewhat well known that politicians and campaign workers are overusing the Republican fundraising platform known as WinRed to send out an excessive number of text messages.

In addition to the incentive to win elections, there also seems to be a financial incentive. That’s the only explanation for a quantity of text messages that risk causing the loss of an election for the sake of squeezing out every additional dollar from supporters.

It’s not just messages asking for donations to Trump. Messages are going out purportedly to support other candidates: Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Kari Lake, Larry Hogan, Dave McCormick, and more. Some of the messages are sent from conservative groups raising money for their PAC or cause. Recently there was a message sent out by someone who isn’t running for office, but running from legal problems, who is fundraising and complaining that the Deep State is after him.

Problem Cause

The problem of excessive spam text messages may stem from the GOP sharing donor information with many third parties. This practice is explained in the waiver on the GOP website. [View] The GOP/RNC privacy policy also explains this. [View]

As you see in the waiver linked above and in the tactics described in this document, there are multiple layers of plausible deniability and subterfuge, so that the party and campaigns can deny responsibility if people complain.

The excessive amount of unsolicited messages are short sighted, stupid, harmful to the party, and counterproductive to winning an election. The people who are frustrated and stop donating will exceed the few extra dollars that trickle in.

It’s possible that the text message blitzkrieg is being coordinated or promoted by someone who really wants massive losses for the party.

It’s probably too late in the current election cycle for a course correction. To some extent, the excessively spammy messages are consistent with the current branding of the party.

Concerns

What follows are concerns about the current text message methods used by the RNC and those who partner with the WinRed platform.

Manipulative Messages

Many techniques are being used to create manipulative messages that are more likely to be noticed, opened, and clicked. Here are some common phrases:

“Look, these texts are really expensive to send… Can you please just read what I wrote? Thanks, Sen. Marco Rubio”
“Patriot, can you respond to question #3…”
“This is serious! Asking 1 more time. Will you PLEASE help…”
“…you missed question #4…”
“You appeared in 15 searches”
“You won’t BELIEVE what the Justice Department just found…”

Messages sometimes (falsely) imply that a survey is incomplete.

The claim that the recipient has appeared in many searches is likely false.

One message may complain about the weaponization of the Justice Department, and then in the next message might use information from the Justice Department when the information can serve the campaign. So the messaging is contradictory.

Deceptive use of Preview

Text messages show a preview of the first two lines of a message. This can be used in a deceptive and manipulative way to startle the recipient. Here are some examples showing what the preview displayed and then the continuation of the message.

From Trump: THE END OF MY CAMPAIGN
- …Comes in less than 43 days.
Insufficient Funds Notice:
- … Your Membership has been declined.
We’ve been watching you.
- You’re the ONLY Patriot we’d offer this.
I hate to deliver bad news on a Sunday…
- Before you head to bed, I need you to take a look at this, Friend: [link to vote24.io] -DVO STOP=end

The insufficient funds notice seems to be a message from a bank or financial institution. For those who know their membership is active and has not been declined, the fake claim is quickly identified.

The message stating “We’ve been watching you” seems ominous and would appear in the phone notifications with only that statement showing.

Stalking and Harassing Behavior

If the flood of unwanted text messages were from an ex-lover it would be considered stalking and harassment. A court could issue a restraining order. However, since it’s a political party, a court order is probably not possible. Despite numerous requests to opt-out, the messages continue.

Harming Party Image

Having millions of unsolicited text messages being sent out annoys people and results in former donors getting frustrated. It creates the perception that the Republican Party is disorganized, unprofessional, careless, and desperate.

Distracted Driving Made Worse

Some people are easily distracted by messages coming in on their phone while they are driving. We see people on their phones at stop lights, or even while driving down the road.

If you glance at your phone and you see, “We’ve been watching you” or similar enticing messages, it might cause you to take your attention off the road. That could be dangerous.

Legal Liability — Class Action Lawsuit

The large number of collective liabilities could make the WinRed platform and perhaps the users liable and vulnerable to being named in a class action lawsuit:

The distraction caused by these messages, collectively, could result in auto accidents and deaths.
A person may not easily see important messages because the numerous spam text messages overwhelm their phone.
If the practice becomes normalized, it makes millions of people more vulnerable to spoof political text messages that could result in a malware infection or ransomware.

There is a long list of what lawyers call “damages” that could result in many people being driven to take legal action. It would be better to stop this irresponsible practice before reaching the point of a class action lawsuit.

Unfamiliar Message Links

The message link(s) usually go through an intermediary website and then forward to a landing page on the WinRed fundraising website. This is likely used for purposes of data collection by a third party before sending the person to the specific WinRed.com landing page.

Here are some examples of the intermediary websites used:

20give.net
24pat.co
click.gop
gift24.co
patriotfundusa.com
rep-24.co
saves.co
trump47.co
txtr.gop
vote24.io
vtred.io

That’s a short list of samples. Some go to WinRed but others go to independent third-party websites. The full list and additional details are not provided here because, as mentioned in the introduction of this document, an effort has been made not to disclose broader information.

Security Risk

Since the base of recipients are now being flooded by messages from many unfamiliar numbers, with links to unfamiliar websites, it creates a security risk.

Hackers and other malicious actors could easily send fake political text messages using other systems for sending bulk text messages.

Should donors trust the messages they are receiving? Should they click links? It’s hard to verify given the current state of how the system is being used.

Legitimate or malicious text messages may send responders to the official WinRed.com through one or more intermediary websites that could infect computers. It’s difficult to have oversight.

Random Numbers

Using a practice that’s popular among crime syndicates and drug cartels, the senders frequently change the numbers they are using to send the text messages. This is similar to using burner phones and reduces the chances of being tracked. It’s not a good practice to be using.

It’s best not to use a tactic that is common among scammers and criminals, especially when well established best practices are available — as explained further down in this document.

“STOP” – Not Working

Anyone using the “STOP” request to unsubscribe will in most cases get a confirmation message that they’ve been unsubscribed. However, a flood of new messages may come in from new numbers. So, there’s no way to effectively unsubscribe.

“Report as Junk” – Not Working

Due to the regularly changing numbers used for sending messages, the “Report as Junk” option doesn’t work because the senders will switch to new numbers. So, consumers have no remedy to stop these messages they never signed up for.

Chaos

The current barrage of spam emails originating from Republican politicians and their campaign workers creates a sense of chaos and disorganization:

There is a lack of transparency.
Supporters are not able to easily unsubscribe.
The sending agency is not identified in the message.
The politician or campaign is not identified in the message.

The messages often have an enticing statement, “You won’t believe what we just found out. Click here to learn more.” So, the recipient doesn’t know who is sending the message. Only if they click the link will they perhaps learn more.

Public Complaints

Many people are finding the excessive text messages to be annoying. Here are some discussion forums on the topic:

30 Aug 2024 — Anyone else get hundreds of Republican texts? [View]
24 Mar 2024 — Spam political text messages associated with WinRed [View]
- Excerpt: I get dozens of political texts every day trying to solicit donations. The texts often appear in the form of personal or sensationalist messages from big Republican figures. Every single text includes a link that send me to WinRed, a site that processes some GOP donations. There seems to be nothing I can do to stop them. Blocking them does nothing. Replying stop does nothing. I just get texts from different numbers. I’m not sure how they even got my number. The texts which are supposed to be addressed to me don’t use my name. So the texts appear to be coming from one “source.” But, here’s the thing, WinRed claims it has no control over who gets sent texts from an FAQ on their website (it’s just by coincidence that random Republican campaigns across the country text me links to their site). When I go to the link to the WinRed site, beneath a bunch of drivel there is a campaign or PAC listed, though I can’t tell if this is who the donation is supposed to go to or whether this is the organization that paid for the texts. Naturally, neither WinRed or any of these campaigns/PACs has a phone number listed. In the future, how can I protect my phone number from being leaked to spam call/texters? Moreover, this practice seems illegal, does anyone know what I can do about it?
11 Mar 2024 — Unsolicited republican spam texts destroying my life [View]
- Excerpt: I have been receiving 10+ unsolicited text messages from a Republican fundraising platform called “winred” for multiple years. I have blocked hundreds of numbers, I have unsubscribed thousands of times, I have reported the numbers as junk, and yet I still continue to get these messages. … I have received these messages despite unsubscribing for roughly two years, but it has only gotten worse. Is there any legal recourse I can take? I am seriously considering changing my phone number at this point.
17 Jan 2024 — Anyone else getting inundated with Republican party text messages? [View]
16 Oct 2023 — Do I just change my number? 20 Political Texts a Day for 2 weeks [View]
- Excerpt: I’m at a point where I don’t know what to do. All of a sudden I started receiving spam republican texts two weeks ago. I’ve had hundreds of them. (I’m not exaggerating). I received 20 today. … blocking is dumb because it’s a different number every time.

Document History

This document was originally posted on 29 Sep 2024. On 7 Oct 2024, the title was changed from “Republican Text Messages 2024” to “Many RNC WinRed Text Messages 2024.”