A high-dollar fundraiser held on Saturday to benefit former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party has garnered an impressive $43 million in donations so far, according to a source familiar with the details.
The event, which marks the first major fundraiser for Trump and the Republican National Committee since he became the party’s presumptive presidential nominee, was attended by 100 guests. The fundraiser, hosted in Palm Beach, Florida, was organized by hedge fund founder John Paulson and featured former President Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump as headliners.
Notable wealthy GOP donors, including hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer, his daughter Rebekah, oil tycoon Harold Hamm, hotelier and space entrepreneur Robert Bigelow, and casino mogul Steve Wynn, served as co-chairs for the event.
Special guests at the fundraiser included three former Trump rivals who have since endorsed him: South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
Attendees had the option to contribute at various levels, with prices ranging from $250,000 per person for the host committee to $824,600 per person for a chairman position. Those contributing at the highest level enjoyed the perk of dinner seating at Trump’s table.
The funds raised at the Palm Beach fundraiser are designated for the Trump 47 Committee, a joint fundraising operation involving Trump’s campaign, the RNC, and state party committees. Additionally, the proceeds will benefit a leadership PAC that has been covering Trump’s personal legal expenses.
Following the fundraiser, the Trump campaign and the RNC announced a combined fundraising total of $65.6 million for March, leaving them with $93.1 million in cash on hand as they entered April. While this represented an improved financial standing compared to the previous month, Trump and the RNC still face a significant gap in fundraising compared to President Joe Biden’s campaign and the Democratic National Committee, who reported cash-on-hand totals exceeding $155 million at the end of February.
