Huma Abedin, Hillary Clinton’s longtime confidant, headlined a fundraiser for the Clinton campaign Thursday night in Washington, DC, her first appearance since the FBI’s announced last week that it was investigating thousands of emails found on a laptop that belonged to her estranged husband, Anthony Weiner.
Abedin was joined at the event by famed designer Diane Von Furstenberg and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
Normally a constant presence by Clinton’s side for much of the campaign, Abedin has been off the campaign trail for five days.
A Clinton aide said Tuesday that Abedin was working from the campaign headquarters in Brooklyn.
Asked if she is staying away from the campaign plane because of the optics, the aide demurred.
“I wouldn’t draw too many conclusions,” the aide said.
Abedin’s lawyer said Monday that Abedin, who started working with Clinton as an intern in the White House, had not been contacted by the FBI.
“From the beginning, Ms. Abedin has complied fully and voluntarily with State Department and law enforcement requests, including sitting for hours-long interviews and providing work-related documents,” attorney Karen Dunn said.
“She is there in Brooklyn and happy to cooperate if they ever want to talk to her. She has been very cooperative throughout the process,” the Clinton aide said. “We don’t see any reason, though, that they will need to. But, you know, there is a lot to wrap up this last week or two.”
Abedin has hosted a number of fundraisers for the Clinton campaign and is likely one of Clinton’s most recognizable aides. Supporters regularly ask her for photos at events.
Tickets to Thursday’s fundraiser ran from $500 to $10,000.
The event was hosted by Constance Milstein, a top Democratic donor.