WSJ: Inside Trump’s Unprecedented Fundraising Operation
Trump has raised more than $800 million since returning to office, with donors getting extended access in exchange for contributions to his projects.
- President Donald Trump is personally directing fundraising efforts, frequently calling top fundraiser Meredith Rourke—dubbed the "princess of darkness"—to review donor lists and push corporate leaders for increasingly large contributions, according to The Wall Street Journal.
- Trump has raised more than $800 million since returning to office, with funds flowing to political committees, a presidential library, and a White House ballroom project—arrangements economist Shapiro describes as "crony capitalism."
- Executives report that multimillion-dollar donations translate into greater White House access, while companies understand they are either "checked on a list, or crossed off a list" depending on whether they give.
- In solicitations, Rourke has invoked Trump's direct involvement, telling prospective donors, "the boss wants this money," while Trump frequently pushes for larger contributions, sometimes requesting as much as $50 million.
- While spokeswoman Danielle Alvarez defends the fundraising as necessary to "build an enduring political infrastructure," historian Thom Hartmann compares the corporate access to President Grover Cleveland's 1894 warning about large corporations becoming masters of the people.
12 Articles
12 Articles
It has been with tycoon since 2015 and its main task is to keep in touch with donors. Record collection is $800 million
Meredith O'Rourke, head of Trump's fundraiser, managed to cash six-zero donations to the president's campaigns. During Trump's second presidency, $800 million were raised. A record figure never reached by any other president
Trump's 'princess of darkness' fed up with his $50M shakedowns: report
President Donald Trump's "princess of darkness" is privately complaining about his increasing demands for more and larger donations from corporations, according to a new report. The president is in almost nightly contact with Meredith O'Rourke, pressuring her to bring in more money and telling her which donors or companies to hit up next, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday. Trump has transformed fundraising into a highly personalized operat…
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