Former President Trump held a private lunch event at his Mar-a-Lago resort over the weekend that hosted many top GOP donors and high-profile party leaders.
The fundraiser was largely seen as an audition for Trump’s vice president within the GOP. The guest list included many of those who are rumored to be on that list, including South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R), North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R), Ohio Sen. JD Vance (R), House GOP conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.).
The weekend kicked off with Stefanik, along with Trump’s daughter-in-law and Republican National Committee (RNC) co-Chair Lara Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), hosting a welcome reception on Friday, according to CNN.
Trump reportedly called some of those on his VP shortlist to the stage, except for Noem, who left early, NBC reported. She has been under controversy after an anecdote in her book about killing her dog went viral.
Trump, however, highlighted Stefanik, praising her as “an amazing talent,” according to CNN. He also said Rubio was doing a great job.
Other high-profile GOP leaders also attended the private event, such as Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) and Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.)
Dave McCormick, a Republican running for Senate in Pennsylvania; Bernie Moreno, the GOP nominee for the Senate election in Ohio; and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy were also in attendance.
During the event, Trump attacked his main presidential competition, President Biden, and likened the current administration to the secret police force of Nazi Germany.
“These people are running a Gestapo administration,” Trump said, according to NBC News, which has an audio of the luncheon. “And it’s the only thing they have. And it’s the only way they’re going to win in their opinion.”