Entry is said to have cost an immodest $815,000. There was a party in chic Palm Beach, Florida, with lots of money celebrities, political talents and a former US president. And the fundraising gala was worth it: it brought more than 50 million dollars (around 46 million euros) into Donald Trump’s campaign coffers. As he often does, Trump boasted that it was the “biggest fundraising night of all time” after the event.
Donald Trump brags about donations
The dinner took place at the estate of billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson. “People just want change. Rich people want it, poor people want it,” said Donald Trump, flanked by his wife Melania before the fundraising gala began. It was one of her few appearances in the current election campaign.
The fundraiser was a gathering of ultra-wealthy supporters, of which Donald Trump has a lot. Joe Biden, who is still well ahead of Trump in campaign donations, complained on X (formerly Twitter) that Trump was collecting money “from a bunch of hedge fund billionaires” who wanted him to cut social services and lower their taxes.
Expensive US election campaigns
Election campaigns in the USA are extremely expensive and have to be paid for out of your own pocket. Fundraising events like this are common, but also controversial. Biden recently raised $26 million in one evening with the help of Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article stated that billionaire Sheldon Adelson is one of Trump’s biggest supporters. He was that until his death in 2021. However, his wife Miriam is still considered a potential major donor.
