Donald Trump to host fundraising breakfast where tickets cost $5,000 a head
The money raised will help to fund the President-elect’s transition effort
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump is set to host his first post-election fundraiser in December, where tickets to the breakfast event cost $5,000 (£4,000) each.
The fundraiser, set for 7 December, is being held to benefit the President-elect’s transition effort and features a list of more than 60 hosts, according to invitations seen by a number of news organisations.
Alongside Mr Trump, those listed as hosts are transition team officials including Ray Washburne, who is leading the Commerce team’s efforts and Bill Hagerty, who is leading the presidential appointments team, Politico reported. Top fundraiser Brian Ballard, who has lobbied for Mr Trump in Tallahassee, Florida, is also on the list.
Others listed are billionaire Wilbur Ross, who is expected to be named as Mr Trump’s Com
merce secretary, casino owner Phil Ruffin, and Steven Mnuchin, who is a potential choice for Treasury Secretary, according to the Wall Street Journal. The newspaper reported that a person familiar with the event said it is expected to raise $4m (£3.2m).
The American federal government covers around $6m (£4.8m) in transition costs, which are funded by the taxpayer, and incoming presidents often supplement that money with outside fundraising. The law states that to main access to the federal money, the President-elect cannot accept more than $5,000 per donor.
Funding efforts for Mr Trump’s private transition reportedly started days before the election. The Washington Post reports that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Ed Feulner, the former president of Heritage Foundation, a Conservative think tank, hosted a fundraiser that doubled up as a transition “information session”, which cost attendees $5,000 a head.
President Obama reportedly used around $5.2m (£4.2m) from the allocated federal money during his transition period following the 2008 election, with around $4m (£3.2m) in private donations.
Mr Trump's team is already raising funds for his inauguration festivites and promises that donors of $1m (£800,000) or more will have access to a slew of benefits, including a "candle-lit dinner" that will feature appearances by Mr Trump and his wife Melania, and by Mike Pence and his wife Karen.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments