Donald Trump sought to reassure jittery donors at a private fundraiser in New York City Tuesday night, in part by vowing to spend whatever it takes of his own fortune to win the White House.
The high-dollar event at Le Cirque restaurant in midtown Manhattan came at a moment of turmoil for Trump, as the presumptive GOP presidential nominee has battled weeks of unflattering headlines and devastating fundraising numbers released Monday.
Trump used the gathering Tuesday to remind supporters and top GOP donors that he had repeatedly defied expectations throughout the primary season and expressed confidence that he will once against outperform his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, two individuals present at the fundraiser told CNN on the condition of anonymity.
Trump said he took pride in having won the Republican primary on a shoestring budget and minimal staff, as he contrasted his primary resources to Clinton’s robust operation. Heading into November, Trump said he was prepared to put in however much of his own money was necessary to emerge victorious in November, these sources said. He also vowed to win New York in November.
Roughly 100 people attended the fundraiser, which had a minimum contribution requirement of $50,000, a source said. The money goes to the joint-fundraising plan that benefits both the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee. Under this deal, donors can write checks up to $449,000 — with a limit of $2,700 for Trump campaign’s general election fund and $33,400 for the RNC.
Attendees spotted going into the event by CNN included reliable Trump and GOP boosters such as New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, activist investor Carl Icahn and financier Anthony Scaramucci. Also present were members of Trump’s family, top aides and RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.
RNC chair: Trump ‘gracious’ and ‘caring’
When Priebus addressed the crowd, he referred to Trump as a “gracious” and “caring” person — and said he hopes the rest of the country will get to know the side of Trump that often gets lost in the political narrative, according to one person present.
Trump largely self-funded his primary campaign — something that the billionaire businessman repeatedly boasted to voters as he cast himself as a populist outsider.
New reports filed with the Federal Election Commission revealed this week show Trump is significantly lagging behind Clinton on fundraising — with just $1.3 million cash on hand compared to the Clinton campaign’s $42 million as of the end of May. Clinton’s super PAC, Priorities USA, has another $52 million while Trump’s outside support has been minimal. Trump’s allies insist that those numbers reflect a moment of transition for the Trump campaign, and that the candidate’s war chest will soon grow as he headlines more fundraisers.