Donald Trump raises money for campaign, helps pay legal bills | Wilnesh News

Veteran investor John Paulson has called Wall Street allies to say now is the time to help re-elect Donald Trump as president.

“My message is we need to come together and support the president trump card. There is only one candidate who can lead us in the right direction,” he told CNBC on Monday.

“It’s important to put personal differences aside and focus on what matters: protecting our borders, immigration, crime, education, the economy, trade and foreign policy,” Paulson said.

The hedge fund founder will host a lavish fundraising dinner for Trump on April 6 at his home in Palm Beach, Florida. But Paulson is not the only Republican supporter privately prepared to help Trump.

Earlier this month, Republican megadonor Rebekah Mercer was spotted attending a private party with other Trump allies in Palm Beach, Florida, according to people familiar with the matter. Her attendance raised eyebrows because she and her father, Robert Mercer, have publicly distanced themselves from the former president since 2018.

Still, friends of the Mercers say they expect the two Republican donors to play a key role for Trump this year, possibly hosting future fundraisers and making large contributions to pro-Trump political action committees. Representatives for Mercer did not respond to requests for comment.

The efforts are the latest sign of a larger project afoot: Trump and his inner circle are assembling a small group of wealthy financiers to help him raise money for his campaign and a political action committee that pays legal fees.

“The old cast will get back together and cross the finish line,” said an adviser to one of Trump’s bundlers. The adviser and others spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private conversations.

Many of these “veteran actors” are business leaders who have been close to Trump over the years. They were also among the first corporate executives to support his successful 2016 presidential campaign. At the time, many traditional Republican donors were hesitant to align themselves with the brash New York billionaire.

At least 50 people are expected to attend a dinner at Paulson’s home in April, according to people familiar with the matter.

Other Trump-ally co-chairs of the fundraising dinner include Rebecca Mercer, her father Robert Mercer, Chicago Cubs co-owner and former Republican National Committee finance chairman Todd Ricketts, a former Trump Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, former Trump Small Business Administration chief Linda McMahon and Trump’s U.S. ambassador to the U.K. Woody Johnson are also members of the New York Jets, according to invitations obtained by NBC News owner.

According to the invitation, ticket prices start at US$250,000 per person and go up to US$814,600 per person.

If 50 people attend Paulson’s event, each paying the top ticket price of $814,600, the Trump 47 committee could raise at least $40 million from this fundraiser alone.

Paulson did not disclose how much money the event raised or how many people would attend. “The response from donors has been overwhelmingly positive. There’s been an outpouring of support from people of all income levels,” he told CNBC.

Funds raised on April 6 will go to the Trump 47 Committee, a newly formed joint fundraising committee benefiting Trump’s presidential campaign, the Save America PAC, which helps pay Trump’s legal fees, and the Republican National Committee.

The co-chair of the April reception said potential donors were told the Paulsons’ fundraiser was a “first-time” event and that there would be more to come, some with the same hosts.

“We want to come together as a community and be inspired over the next six to eight months,” another co-chair said.

Meredith O’Rourke, national finance director for Trump’s presidential campaign, has also been courting donors, according to an adviser who is one of the campaign’s co-chairs.

As for the money used to pay Trump’s legal fees, at least some people at the Paulson event didn’t seem to care.

Asked whether donors would be hesitant to fund a political action committee that would pay Trump’s legal costs, a person close to the attendees explained: “I know some of them want to help with that. “

When asked if he cared that the money he raised would be used to save America, Paulson told CNBC: “No one should be prosecuted because of their political views.”

The first is his efforts to raise more funds Campaign cash. Trump’s campaign trailed President Joe Biden in February fundraising, according to the latest campaign finance reports. Biden’s campaign raised just over $21 million last month, while Trump raised about $10 million during the same period.

But this seems to represent a change for Trump’s daughter-in-law. Before she ascended to her new position on the Republican National Committee, she suggested the committee should pay for: Trump’s Legal instrument.