Friday, March 18, 2016

Swear Allegiance: Donald Trump's Volunteer Contract Forbids All Criticism of Trump

Swear Allegiance: Donald Trump's Volunteer Contract Forbids All Criticism of Trump
By: CR Wire | March 15, 2016
According to the Daily Dot, Donald Trump requires campaign volunteers to sign a contract that forbids them from disparaging Trump, his family, his businesses and products, or his campaign for an indeterminate amount of time. 

Wait, what?

Yes, the contract exists says the report:

The tight control of volunteers stands in stark contrast to not only American political-campaign norms but also Trump's reputation for speaking his mind.

The contract first came to light late last week after Trump campaign emails indicated that some prospective volunteers were required to sign a non-disclosure agreement in order to make calls for the campaign from Trump Tower in Manhattan.

Apparently the contract requires volunteers to prevent their employees from criticizing Trump and his brand, as well. Leading Davida Perry, a NYC lawyer interviewed for the original article, to suggest, “I guess he doesn't know about the First Amendment.”

Non-disparage agreements may be typical in business contracts but are never used, and perhaps even illegal, when enlisting volunteers who by nature offer their services for nothing in return. 

Below is the specific language used in the contract, pulled from the Daily Dot report:

2. No Disparagement. During the term of your service and at all times thereafter you hereby promise and agree not to demean or disparage publicly the Company, Mr. Trump, any Trump Company, any Family Member, or any Family Member Company or any asset any of the foregoing own, or product or service any of the foregoing offer, in each case by or in any of the Restricted Means and Contexts and to prevent your employees from doing so.

3. No Competitive Services. Until the Non-Compete Cutoff Date you promise and agree not to assist or counsel, directly or indirectly, for compensation or as a volunteer, any person that is a candidate or exploring candidacy for President of the United States other than Mr. Trump and to prevent your employees from doing so. 




2. No Disparagement. During the term of your service and at all times thereafter you hereby promise and agree not to demean or disparage publicly the Company, Mr. Trump, any Trump Company, any Family Member, or any Family Member Company or any asset any of the foregoing own, or product or service any of the foregoing offer, in each case by or in any of the Restricted Means and Contexts and to prevent your employees from doing so.

3. No Competitive Services. Until the Non-Compete Cutoff Date you promise and agree not to assist or counsel, directly or indirectly, for compensation or as a volunteer, any person that is a candidate or exploring candidacy for President of the United States other than Mr. Trump and to prevent your employees from doing so. - See more at: https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2016/03/under-contract-trump-volunteers-cannot-criticize-him#sthash.0aiOR3pr.dpuf

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