Former President Donald Trump and Republicans have been lagging behind Democrats and Joe Biden when it comes to fundraising this election cycle, but that appears to be changing.
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
Trump is expected to raise $43 million at a fundraiser in Palm Beach on Saturday, which many Republican donors view as the beginning of the general election campaign, according to sources interviewed by Axios.
President Biden’s event at Radio City Music Hall, which was attended by several celebrities, raised $26 million. However, according to Axios, Trump’s fundraiser will significantly surpass that amount.
Trump’s “Inaugural Leadership Dinner,” led by hedge-fund billionaire John Paulson, tops out at a “Chairman level” of $824,600, which includes “dinner seating at President Trump’s table,” the outlet reported, quoting event materials, the outlet reported.
The event will showcase Melania Trump and three of Trump’s former primary opponents, including 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 source familiar with the event told Axios.
Insider sources have revealed that Trump was able to achieve a remarkable total through personal phone calls, using “peer-to-peer asks” that included direct conversations between billionaires. Campaign co-manager Susie Wiles also delivered a compelling presentation on the electoral landscape.
As per a source, the invitation for the Trump fundraising event held in Palm Beach stated that a considerable amount of the event’s earnings will be allocated towards Trump’s political PAC. The PAC has been used to cover the ex-president’s legal fees.
Additionally, the agreement underlines the significance of the PAC in contrast to the Republican National Committee.
Last week, former US Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton joined Biden in New York City for a fundraiser that raised millions of dollars and included many notable personalities. Meanwhile, Trump attended the wake of NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller, who was killed by a career criminal during a traffic stop.
Some critics have used these events to question Biden’s leadership, suggesting that he failed to express condolences to Diller’s family.
“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.”