Donald Trump Jr received a kiss from host Holly Valance as he left a London fundraiser that reportedly raised over £1.6 million for his father’s US presidential campaign.
The reception, thought to be the largest fundraising event outside the US for Trump's re-election campaign, was hosted by Australian actor and singer Valance at the Chelsea mansion she shares with her husband, billionaire property tycoon Nick Candy.
Trump Jr was filmed leaving the event on Wednesday night with his fiancée Kimberley Guilfoyle, alongside Valance and Candy. The former pop star was seen planting a kiss on Trump Jr’s cheek.
Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader and prospective MP for Clacton, paused his election campaign to attend the event alone, carrying a copy of the Gospel According to St John.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 12, 2024: Kimberley Guilfoyle, Holly Valance, Donald Trump Jr and Nick Candy leave the Donald Trump fundraiser.
— Jason N. Parkinson (@JasonNParkinson) June 12, 2024
3840X2160 25fps footage © Jason N. Parkinson pic.twitter.com/vWeE4veqoL
Asked if he had reservations about donating to a convicted felon, he replied: "I can't donate, I'm British." He previously revealed that he’d received a "firm job offer" related to Trump's re-election campaign.
British boxer Derek Chisora, 40, arrived wearing a red "Make America Great Again" cap.
Lord Elliott of Mickle Fell, former Vote Leave chief and Tory peer appointed by Liz Truss, declined to comment when approached outside the venue.
More than 100 guests received only 60 minutes' notice of the Chelsea event location near the Thames.
US President Biden's campaign held a competing fundraiser in London the same day, hosted by Anna Wintour, the British-born editor of US Vogue. Tickets were reportedly priced at $1,000 each.
Wintour, who endorsed Biden during his 2020 campaign, also hosted a fundraiser for the US president during Paris Fashion Week in March.
Invitations to the fundraiser listed various donation categories, such as 'host committee' (£78,000 per couple) and dinner (£39,000). Attendance alone cost $10,000 (£8000), while a photo opportunity was priced at $25,000 (£19,555).
Greg Swenson, chairman of Republican Overseas, confirmed to the BBC that tickets ranged from $10,000 to $100,000.
He described it as a “big ticket” event but insisted the Republicans were the “party of the people”. Swensonpointed out that rival Democratic events had been more expensive, citing a Biden event in New York in March that cost half a million dollars per ticket.
Before the fundraiser, he told the BBC he would be “surprised” if Trump Sr did not make a virtual appearance.
The event took place near the Chelsea Embankment, where a man in a suit and umbrella welcomed guests at the door.
