Trump campaign expects to haul in $50 million at fundraiser

Former President Trump was expected to rake in roughly $50 million at a Saturday night fundraiser, doubling what three Democratic presidents recently brought in for President Biden’s reelection campaign war chest, a campaign official confirmed to The Hill. 

The private fundraiser was hosted by hedge fund billionaire John Paulson in Palm Beach, Fla. 

The expected haul would double the amount Biden’s campaign raised at a New York City fundraiser last week. Biden’s star-studded event at Radio City Music Hall, which featured former Presidents Clinton and Obama, raised more than $25 million. 

Trump said that a wide variety of social classes in the country want “change” and he vowed to deliver that if he returns to the White House, in comments Saturday night.

“People are just wanting change,” Trump said while standing next to his wife, Melania, in a video message he shared to Truth Social. “Rich people want it. People want it. Everybody wants change. Our country is really doing poorly. We’re a laughingstock all over the world. And we’re gonna get that changed very quickly. And this has been some incredible evening before it even starts because people, they wanted to contribute to a cause of making America great again, and that’s what’s happened.” 

The event will boost Trump’s campaign, the Republican National Committee (RNC), his Save America PAC, and state GOP parties under their joint-fundraising agreement.

“Tonight will be an incredible night for President Trump and the Republican Party, raising an astounding $50.5 million,” Trump campaign senior advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles said in a statement. “Meanwhile, after locking up the nomination in one of the fastest primaries in modern political history, Donald J. Trump is winning poll after poll and proving that the enthusiasm is on his side. 

“It’s clearer than ever that we have the message, the operation, and the money to propel President Trump to victory on November 5.”

The fundraiser comes as Trump and the RNC said Wednesday they raised north of $65.6 million last month crossing into April with more than $91.3 million cash on hand. The Biden campaign’s fundraising arm was also quite active in March, announcing Saturday a $90 million March haul, leaving them entering the second quarter with $192 million in cash on hand. 

Trump is looking to maximize his war chest seven months before the presidential election and as he seeks to bounce back after taking several financial hits while defending himself against charges in four legal cases. 

“Biggest night in Fund Raising of ALL TIME!!! Will double up the Biden number of last week at Radio City. People are desperate for change. They want to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  DJT,“ Trump wrote in a Saturday post on TruthSocial.

“The success of tonight’s event is proving what we already know: Americans are fed up with Biden’s record of failure, from the open southern border and sky-high inflation to the migrant crime crisis that has made everyone less safe,” RNC Chair Michael Whatley and co-Chair Lara Trump said in a statement. 

“The Republican Party is united behind the effort to elect President Donald J. Trump, and Americans are lining up to join our movement and retire Crooked Joe Biden once and for all.”

Paulson also hailed the fundraiser, saying, “Tonight, we raised an historic $50.5 million for the re-election of President Trump. This sold-out event has raised the most in a single political fundraiser in history. This overwhelming support demonstrates the enthusiasm for President Trump and his policies.”

Brett Samuels contributed to this report.

Updated at 11:09 pm EDT.