A high-dollar fundraiser was held in Palm Beach, Florida, benefiting former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, raising $43 million so far from 100 attendees. Hosted by hedge fund founder John Paulson, the event included wealthy GOP donors such as Robert Mercer, Rebekah Mercer, Harold Hamm, Robert Bigelow, and Steve Wynn as co-chairs. Special guests included former Trump rivals who have endorsed him, such as Sen. Tim Scott, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Gov. Doug Burgum.
The fundraiser collected money for the Trump 47 Committee, a joint fundraising operation that includes Trump’s campaign, the RNC, state party committees, and a leadership PAC covering Trump’s legal bills. Prices ranged from $250,000 for the host committee to $814,600 for chairmen, with perks including seating at Trump’s table. The event followed the announcement that the Trump campaign and RNC had raised $65.6 million in March, entering April with $93.1 million in cash on hand, demonstrating an improved financial position compared to the previous month.
While Trump and the RNC have made progress in fundraising, they still face a significant gap compared to President Joe Biden’s campaign and the Democratic National Committee, who reported cash-on-hand totals of over $155 million at the end of February. Biden’s campaign has not yet announced their totals for March. The fundraiser marks the first major fundraising event for Trump and the RNC since Trump became the presumptive presidential nominee of the Republican Party.
The success of the fundraiser in Palm Beach reflects the continued support for Trump within the GOP donor community, with high-profile individuals such as Robert Mercer, Rebekah Mercer, and Harold Hamm participating as co-chairs. The event also highlighted the backing of former Trump rivals who have since endorsed him, demonstrating party unity behind the former president as he seeks to strengthen his position within the Republican Party and support candidates in the upcoming elections.
Overall, the fundraiser raised $43 million benefiting Trump’s campaign, the RNC, and state party committees, as well as a leadership PAC covering Trump’s legal bills. The event showcased the support of wealthy GOP donors and former rivals who have endorsed Trump, signaling a united front within the party. Despite the fundraising success, Trump and the RNC still face a financial gap compared to Biden and the Democrats, underscoring the ongoing competition for financial resources leading up to the next election cycle.
