Trump Raises $12 Million in Hamptons: GOP Chair Says Support is Growing

President Donald Trump speaks to the press on the South Lawn of the White House before departing for Washington on Aug. 9, 2019. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images)

The Chair of the Republican National Committee, Ronna McDaniel said President Donald Trump raised $12 million in twin Hamptons fundraisers and that support for the President is growing.

“Thanks to the unhinged mob on the left, @realDonaldTrump raised $12M today, $2M more than originally expected,” McDaniel said in a message on Twitter on Aug. 9, after the fundraiser ended.

“The support for our President is unprecedented and growing!” she wrote in the same message.

The first fundraiser was at the $40 million Hamptons mansion owned by Joe Farrell, and the second was at the Southampton home of billionaire Stephen Ross.

Ross is the chairman of The Related Companies, which owns a majority stake in SoulCycle and Equinox.

Before leaving for the fundraiser, Trump talked about Ross with reporters at the White House. “Stephen Ross is a great friend of mine; he’s a very successful guy,” the President said.

Inside Edition reports that general admission to the Hamptons mansion, was a $2,800 donation.

The fundraiser hosted by Ross was expensive with tickets selling for $100,000 for photo and lunch and $250,000 for the roundtable, photo, and lunch, according to Hollywood reporter.

Inside the fundraisers, Trump shook supporters’ hands and entertained them with jokes and political jibes. The invite required the guest to be at the venue by 12:30 p.m. and deposit all phone and electronic devices.

The President addressed the gathering at 3:30 p.m. and spoke for about 30 minutes. The lunch buffet included sirloin steak, shrimp with lemon chili, and charred broccoli.

The Hollywood Reporter said that Trump talked about his achievements. He said countries like China and Iran don’t like him and North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un is his friend.

A few hours later, the President wrote on Twitter about a “beautiful” letter he received from Kim Jong Un.

Outside the venue, Trump had both supporters as well as protestors. As news of the fundraisers became public, critics called for a boycott of SoulCycle and Equinox.

Stephen Ross, chairman and majority owner of the Related Companies, attends the grand opening of phase one of the Hudson Yards development on the West Side of Midtown Manhattan, March 15, 2019. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Ross said in a statement that he disagrees with the President on many things but does agree with him on certain specific issues.

“I have been and will continue to be, an outspoken champion of racial equality, inclusion, diversity, public education, and environmental sustainability, and I have and will continue to support leaders on both sides of the aisle to address these challenges,” he said in a statement, according to The Hill.

Meanwhile, Trump, while talking to reporters at the White House, before the fundraiser, said that he considers Ross more of a liberal.

“By the way, I think he’s probably more inclined to be a liberal if you want to know the truth,” he said. “But he likes me. He respects me.”

Commenting on the backlash faced by Ross due to the fundraiser, Trump has said that he would benefit from it.

“I think it just makes Steve much hotter,” Trump said. ”He’ll figure that out in about a week, but he’s very happy.”