Trump’s D.C. hotel made millions from foreign governments but still struggled, federal documents show
Some applicants have turned to Mar-a-Lago because donors are interested in the club and know Trump, and because Palm Beach is a position where many wealthy participants live.
“Contrary to what you may hear from other candidates, he remains by far the top popular figure in the Republican Party in North Carolina,” said Jonathan Felts, an adviser to Rep. Ted Budd (RN. C. ), who held a Fundraising Post Nov. 11 at Mar-a-Lago for his candidacy for the United States Senate. “Between its popularity and what is perceived as something great about Mar-a-Lago, it has an appeal in itself. “
Trump, who endorsed Budd in June, agreed in advance to speak at the November fundraiser, at which the top-tier tickets cost $10,800 a person. And invitation to the event obtained by The Post noted that the former president would be a “special guest” and featured an image of Mar-a-Lago surrounded by palm trees.
Some candidates hold events at the club because they are still hoping to get his endorsement, according to consultants familiar with their thinking.
Of the 20 candidates who The Post identified as having held events at Trump properties this year, 11 had been endorsed by him by the time of their fundraiser. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), was endorsed by Trump on the very day he held a lunch fundraiser at the club in April.
Holding an event at a Trump property doesn’t guarantee a candidate will get his backing.
Lynda Blanchard, who served as Trump’s ambassador to Slovenia, spent $24,000 in March on a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago for a short-lived campaign for U.S. Senate in Alabama. She brought along a group of state Republicans, who had a framed proclamation from the Alabama GOP calling Trump “one of the greatest and most effective presidents” in American history, Fox News reported.
“Honored to have received a surprise visit from President Trump at my event this weekend!” Blanchard wrote on Facebook, alongside a picture of Trump attending the event — which was held within a few hundred yards from his home.
But Trump never approved of Blanchard, supporting Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala. ) For the Senate seat. Brooks, who had echoed Trump’s lies about the 2020 election, held his own fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago two weeks after Trump’s approval. (Blanchard has since finished his Senate bid and introduced a gubernatorial crusade. )
A trump spokesman did not respond to a question about whether applicants who hold events in their homes have a greater chance of getting their approval.
The club has drawn business this year from both federal and state candidates, including nine people running for Senate, six running for the House, four for governor and one for state attorney general.
Arkansas presidential candidate Sarah Sanders, Trump’s former White House press secretary, hosted twice in March and April, paying a total of $59,000, according to the crusade’s financial records. Sanders responded to requests for comment.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (right), who ran for re-election in a packed Republican primary, staged an occasion at the club last week: the first state attorney general The Post recognized as holding a mar-a-Lago fundraiser this year. In photographs of the occasion posted online, Trump praises Paxton.
Paxton was indicted in 2015 on charges of felony securities fraud, a case that has not yet gone to trial amid numerous legal challenges. Paxton’s campaign did not reply to requests for comment.
When Trump took office, Mar-a-Lago was the center of Palm Beach’s busy — and lucrative — charity ball circuit. It hosted dozens of events a year, including galas that cost $250,000 or more.
The bulk of that business disappeared in 2017, however, after Trump said there were “very fine people” among the protesters at a violent “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville. Afterward, 22 charities canceled their events, and most stayed away, reducing one of the club’s largest income streams.
Since then, Mar-a-Lago’s move to republican consumer court has reflected a broader shift in Trump’s businesses, which appear to be shifting from their apolitical luxury brands to an effort to monetize Trump’s Republican base.
Trump’s corporation has already noticed that its hotel chain shrank across 4 locations, and is now looking to sell a fifth: Trump’s Washington hotel, which lost millions in his presidency because his policies scared away some guests.
Trump May Pocket $100 Million for Cash-Wasting Hotel in Washington
Instead, Trump appears to be focusing on startups leaning on his political supporters, adding an e-commerce store that sells “Make America Great Again” hats and a budding social media company that has already attracted more than a billion dollars of potential. investment even before launching your product. He also sells picture books from his tenure.
In March-a-Lago, Trump also appears to have moved one of his older corporations to rely on those new customers. While most of Trump’s businesses were affected by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Mar-a-Lago’s profits rose that year to their highest point since 2017, according to Trump’s monetary data.
“He can bring other people to the table who will write checks,” Sen. Lindsey O said. Graham (SAR. C. ), who organized a golf fundraiser with Trump in May that raised more than a million dollars, according to Graham. “It has genuine juice. “
Blake Masters, a U. S. Senate candidate in Arizona, held a fundraiser at the club in November, but Trump didn’t have a candidate in his career.
“I’ve been to Mar-A-Lago before, but I’m still impressed when I return. We knew we wanted to host an occasion there, and it was especially wonderful to hear that President Trump was in a position to welcome us and attend the occasion. It has been a massive attraction for dozens of our guests,” Masters said in a statement. He said Trump gave the crowd a Mar-a-Lago story and criticized Democrats, adding, “His comments were very blunt. “
Josh Mandel, a U. S. Senate candidate in Ohio, hosted a fundraiser at the club, and even attended a recent fundraiser for Herschel Walker, according to a player and a Trump adviser. Another Trump adviser said Mandel was a normal guest of the club.
He joined through at least five other applicants for other offices who also attended Walker’s fundraiser, Trump’s advisers said. A representative for Mandel did not respond to requests for comment.
The Dec. 4 Turning Point event marked the fifth time the nonprofit group had held its gala at Mar-a-Lago, spokesman Andrew Kolvet said.
“At this point, it’s become tradition. So all the folks that are supporters and fans of Turning Point USA sort of expect the winter gala to happen at Mar-a-Lago,” Kolvet said. He said the former president also plays a role in bringing attendees: “The Trump connection is a draw.”
Trump didn’t speak at the gala itself. But he did address an earlier poolside reception, hosted by Turning Point’s political arm. According to video taken at the event, Trump called Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley a “f—ing idiot” for the way he oversaw the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Kolvet declined to say how much Turning Point spent at Mar-a-Lago this year. In past financial disclosures, however, the group has reported spending about $280,000 on its annual Mar-a-Lago galas — in line with the largest charity events the club attracted before Trump entered politics.
At the fundraiser for Walker, Trump and the retired soccer player stood on the balcony overlooking the pool as the former president marked Walker’s career football statistics for about 550 attendees, according to a user present.
Guests included country singer Travis Tritt, who sang a patriotic song to the crowd, and attendees were able to see a Heisman Trophy and greet football player Doug Flutie.
Taxpayers who paid for a personal dinner were served Trump wine with their food, and the former president took photos with at least 50 donors who had contributed the highest amounts.
Lori Rozsa in Palm Beach, Florida contributed to this report.