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By Alexandra Ulmer
(Reuters) – Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s crusade said a Florida primary fundraiser on Saturday raised $50. 5 million as the former president sought to fill his dwindling coffers in his rematch with Democrat Joe Biden.
The event, his biggest fundraiser to date, is a much-needed touch for Trump, who has been denounced through Biden and is in the midst of a currency crisis due to mounting attorneys’ fees and legal awards for his civil and criminal court cases.
The dinner, held at the Palm Beach home of billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson, will allocate some of the proceeds to a fundraising organization that has spent tens of millions of dollars on Trump’s legal fees.
While Trump has struggled to muster some classic Republican primary donors, he retains the support of some heavyweights. Saturday’s co-hosts, for example, include hedge fund investor Robert Mercer and his daughter and conservative activist Rebekah, investor Scott Bessent and the casino rich. Person: Phil Ruffin, according to the fundraising invitation seen via Reuters.
“People just need a change. The rich need it, the poor need it,” Trump said before the fundraiser, flanked by his wife Melania Trump, who has largely stayed away from the crusade so far.
Biden’s spokesman, Ammar Moussa, claimed on the social network X that billionaires flocked to Trump’s occasion because of tax preferences. “The ultra-rich are mad at Joe Biden because he makes them pay their fair share,” he posted.
Paulson has been nominated through Trump as Treasury secretary, according to two sources. Bessent has also been proposed for the job, one of the sources said.
On Saturday, Paulson said the “overwhelming support” at the dinner, which was expected to be attended by 100 guests, was a sign of enthusiasm for Trump.
Trump spoke for about 45 minutes, touching on the economy and the southern border with Mexico, fundraiser George Glass, Trump’s former ambassador to Portugal, told Reuters. “He also talked a lot about unifying the party. “
The Republican nominee’s camp said the increase is double what Biden raised last month in a fundraiser of more than $25 million with former Democratic presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
The numbers will not be shown until the files are sent to the Federal Election Commission. Campaigns exaggerate fundraising to build momentum.
Trump’s crusade said last month that it wouldn’t be suitable for Biden’s fundraising overall this year. His crusade, along with a joint fundraising committee, raised $20. 3 million in February, compared with more than $53 million raised through Biden’s reelection efforts that month.
For Trump, “it’s going to be about locating tactics to continue that fundraising momentum with a mix of big and small events,” said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean.
RESTRICTIONS
However, more cash is not a sign of success. Trump defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016 after raising $769. 9 million, far more than the $433. 4 million he had raised.
Trump, who clinched the Republican presidential nomination last month, can now win votes on the Republican National Committee, which his daughter-in-law chairs, ahead of the Nov. 5 election.
The Trump 47 Committee, a new fundraising partnership with the RNC, directs the budget to Trump’s Save America leadership organization before sending it to the RNC, the invitation says.
The Trump 47 Committee is asking major donors to make a contribution of up to $814,600, according to his son. Under the invitation, the first $6,600 of any contribution would go to Trump’s presidential campaign.
A maximum of $5,000 per user would then be allocated to Save America. Once Save America gets its share, the RNC will get relief of up to $413,000. In the case of larger contributions, a group of Republican parties would also get funding.
(Reporting via Alexandra Ulmer. Additional reporting via Gram Slattery; editing by Ross Colvin, Hugh Lawson and William Mallard)
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