Lynn Sladke/AP
Former President Donald Trump arrives for a fundraiser in Palm Beach, Florida, on April 6, 2024.
CNN
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Donald Trump’s campaign announced Saturday that it raised $50.5 million at a fundraiser in Florida, an increase in the former president’s political campaign to close a huge financial gap with President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party. Given the urgency, the amount was astonishing.
The amount announced by his campaign and Republican National Committee officials is on top of the $26 million Biden recently reported raising at a star-studded rally in New York City that also included former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. It’s far superior. Trump’s total donations at the Inaugural Leadership Dinner in Palm Beach, Florida, home of billionaire investor John Paulson, set a record for a single fundraising event.
“It’s clearer than ever that we have the message, the strategy, and the money to lead President Trump to victory on November 5th,” senior Trump campaign advisers Chris Lacivita and Susie Wiles said in a statement. ” he said.
The former president, who attended the fundraiser with his wife Melania Trump on Saturday night, boasted, “It was a great night before it even started because people want to contribute to the cause of making America great again.” did.
The private event shows some of the Republican Party’s biggest donors are rallying behind Donald Trump as his general election showdown with Biden gets into full swing.
A series of wealthy Republican figures were billed as “co-chairs” of the event, including hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebecca. Oil magnate Harold Ham. hotelier and space entrepreneur Robert Bigelow; Casino magnate Steve Wynn also attended, according to an invitation obtained by CNN.
Fundraiser prices ranged from $250,000 per person for “host committee” members to $824,600 per person for “chairman.” Perks for top-level contributors included a seat at President Trump’s table for dinner.
But Trump has plenty of room to make a comeback in the fundraising race.
Biden and the Democratic Party announced Saturday that they raised more than $90 million in March and will enter April with a war chest of about $192 million in available cash.
The Trump campaign and RNC announced a total of $65.6 million in funding in March, ending the month with $93.1 million in cash on hand.
A Palm Beach fundraiser raised money for the Trump 47 Committee, a joint fundraiser involving the Trump campaign, RNC and state party committees. It also benefited the leadership PAC, which underwrites Mr. Trump’s personal legal costs and is part of a joint funding arrangement.
Meanwhile, Biden’s team said the early fundraising advantage helped it build election infrastructure in key battleground states, including opening more than 100 new campaign offices.
The team also emphasizes grassroots fundraising as a tool that can sustain presidential campaigns long into the general election. According to the campaign, 96% of donations in the first quarter were less than $200.
“While Donald Trump is busy handing out golf trophies at Mar-a-Lago and hanging out with billionaires, Joe Biden is crisscrossing the country, connecting with voters and improving our nation’s economy. ,” Democratic National Committee Chairman Jamie Harrison said in a statement early Saturday, referring to President Trump’s Florida resort. “That’s why Democrats are receiving record support from grassroots donors like nurses and teachers who are passionate about re-electing President and Vice President Biden.” [Kamala] Harris and the Democratic Party moved up and down in the polls. ”
