According to sources interviewed by Axios, Former President Trump is expected to generate $43 million at a Palm Beach fundraiser, which many Republican donors view as the commencement of the general election campaign. Axios reported that President Biden’s event at Radio City Music Hall, which was attended by celebrities, raised $26 million. However, Trump’s fundraising efforts will significantly surpass that amount.
The “Inaugural Leadership Dinner” organized by Trump, with hedge-fund billionaire John Paulson at the helm, reaches a “Chairman level” of $824,600. This includes the privilege of having dinner seating at President Trump’s table, as stated in the event materials cited by the outlet. The event will feature Melania Trump and three of Trump’s former primary opponents, namely Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Vivek Ramaswamy, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
“This event is greatly exceeding expectations and shows the Republican Party is united behind President Trump,” a person familiar with the event told Axios.
Insider sources have disclosed that the impressive fundraising total was achieved through personal phone calls made by Trump, utilizing “peer-to-peer asks” involving direct conversations between billionaires, as well as a compelling presentation on the electoral landscape delivered by campaign co-manager Susie Wiles. A source has revealed that the Trump fundraising agreement detailed in the Palm Beach invitation indicates that a significant portion of the event’s proceeds will go towards Trump’s political PAC, which has been used to cover the former president’s legal expenses. Additionally, the agreement underscores the importance of the PAC over the Republican National Committee.
Last week, Biden, along with former Presidents Obama and Clinton, traveled to New York City for a star-studded fundraiser that raised millions, while Trump attended the wake for NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller, who was tragically killed in the line of duty. These contrasting events have fueled criticism of Biden, with reports suggesting that he had not reached out to Diller’s wife and family to offer condolences at that time.
“Biden does a fancy NYC fundraiser amid chaotic left-wing street protests–looks like limousine liberalism plus the breakdown of law and order. And Trump attends the wake of a slain NYPD police officer on Long Island,” former conservative magazine publisher William Kristol wrote on the X platform. He also called it an “unfortunate day politically for the Democrats.”
