OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Former President Trump is set to raise $43 million at a Palm Beach fundraiser, which many Republican donors see as the start of the general election campaign, according to sources interviewed by Axios.
President Biden’s celebrity-studded Radio City Music Hall event raised $26 million, but Trump’s haul will dramatically exceed that amount, Axios reported.
Trump’s “Inaugural Leadership Dinner,” led by hedge-fund billionaire John Paulson, tops out at a “Chairman level” of $824,600, which includes “dinner seating at President Trump’s table,” the outlet reported, quoting event materials.
The event will showcase Melania Trump and three of Trump’s former primary opponents, including Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Vivek Ramaswamy, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
“This event is greatly exceeding expectations and shows the Republican Party is united behind President Trump,” a person familiar with the event told Axios.
Insider sources reveal that the remarkable total was attained through personal phone calls made by Trump, employing “peer-to-peer asks” that included direct conversations between billionaires, and a compelling presentation on the electoral landscape delivered by campaign co-manager Susie Wiles.
According to a source, the Trump fundraising agreement outlined on the Palm Beach invitation indicates that a significant portion of the event’s proceeds will be directed towards Trump’s political PAC. The PAC has been utilized to cover the former president’s legal expenses. Furthermore, the agreement emphasizes the importance of the PAC over the Republican National Committee.
Biden traveled to New York City last week with former Presidents Obama and Clinton for a multimillion-dollar, star-studded fundraiser, while Trump attended the wake for NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller, who was shot and killed by a career felon during a routine traffic stop. The competing events provided more fuel for critics of Biden, who, according to some reports, had yet to even contact Diller’s wife and family to express condolences at the time.
“Biden does a fancy NYC fundraiser amid chaotic left-wing street protests–looks like limousine liberalism plus the breakdown of law and order. And Trump attends the wake of a slain NYPD police officer on Long Island,” former conservative magazine publisher William Kristol wrote on the X platform. He also called it an “unfortunate day politically for the Democrats.”
Thousands of New York City police officers lined streets near the St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church to say farewell to Diller, 31, in an overwhelming display of unity on Saturday.
Video and images from the event showed throngs of uniformed NYPD officers lining streets ahead of the funeral procession to honor Diller, who was shot and killed in Queens during a routine traffic stop last week by a career criminal with several prior arrests, including nine felony charges.
Diller left behind a one-year-old son and a young wife.
Tunnel to Towers is honored to announce a mortgage payoff for the family of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was fatally shot and killed during a routine traffic stop on March 25th. Officer Diller is survived by his loving wife, Stephanie, and their one-year-old son. pic.twitter.com/GYXzSlOco4
— Tunnel to Towers Foundation (@Tunnel2Towers) March 28, 2024
Today, we joined together to mourn and say our final goodbyes to Detective Jonathan Diller, a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his city. His bravery and dedication to keeping his community safe will never be forgotten. #FidelisAsMortem pic.twitter.com/LL1bBImBdl
— NYPD Chief of Patrol (@NYPDChiefPatrol) March 30, 2024
JUST IN: Thousands of New York police gather for slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller’s funeral today. pic.twitter.com/yvmQHELsEy
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) March 30, 2024
Officer Diller was posthumously promoted to Detective First Grade. NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban assigned him shield No. 110, which symbolically represents his son’s birthday.
The NYPD will always uphold our most solemn vow to #neverforget. That eternal recognition of Jonathan begins today, as I am honored and privileged to promote Police Officer Jonathan Diller to Detective First Grade.
His new shield number is 110, his son’s birthday. pic.twitter.com/4eaFuMnZFK
— Edward A. Caban (@NYPDPC) March 30, 2024
