The Trump campaign has started sending out personalized email blasts with the subject line "Limited Edition Black Card," offering supporters said card in exchange for a donation of $35 or more. The solicitation -- which follows the tongue-in-cheek "Woman Card" offered by the Hillary Clinton campaign in May (for a donation of $1 or more), and takes a page from other so-called black cards, such as the American Express Centurion Card -- comes in the form of a personalized email signed by Donald Trump himself. It begins,
[First name here], we need you on the Trump Team.
And in order to show you how much your support means to me, I am sending you an exclusive, non-transferable, invitation-only opportunity to receive a limited edition Trump Black Card.
To get an American Express black card, you need to pay a $7,500 initiation fee as well as a $2,500 annual fee -- but the Trump black card can be all yours for a one-time donation of just $35 or more. The benefits of the Trump black card include ... uh ... making a statement by having the Trump black card. Per Mr. Trump's solicitation, "Who will be carrying this card? Only those who want to make a strong statement in this election."
Mr. Trump also uses indelicate language to suggest that the card signifies membership in a group that will menace Hillary Clinton: "You'll be on a team that will be sending a message to Crooked Hillary to watch out, that we're coming for her," Mr. Trump continues.
Here's the full text of the email from Mr. Trump:
[First name here], we need you on the Trump Team.
And in order to show you how much your support means to me, I am sending you an exclusive, non-transferable, invitation-only opportunity to receive a limited edition Trump Black Card. Who will be carrying this card? Only those who want to make a strong statement in this election.
It's a statement that says you'll be standing WITH ME this final month of the campaign, AGAINST the onslaught of Crooked Hillary's negative ads, and AGAINST the failed Obama policies of the past.
You'll be on a team that will be sending a message to Crooked Hillary to watch out, that we're coming for her.
So [First name here], I need you to make it your top priority right now to accept this exclusive invitation:
YES. I WANT MY TRUMP BLACK CARD. [text links to donation page]
The liberal media has been the #1 cheerleader for Crooked Hillary, so I've never counted on them to be fair and cover my visions to improve our great country. It's why this entire year I've taken my message directly to the American people.
This final stretch to Election Day, I want to be able to count on you to stand with me, against the liberal media, and against the millions of dollars these backroom Super PACs are spending in negative ads against me.
It's why I hope you'll accept this exclusive invitation today.
YES. I ACCEPT THIS INVITATION. [text links to donation page]
I'm counting on you as my fellow card carrying supporter, to help see us to victory. Sincerely,
Donald J. Trump
Simon Dumenco, aka Media Guy, is an Ad Age editor-at-large. You can follow him on Twitter @simondumenco.