There will be an update on protesters' plans at 10 a.m. Thursday and state Democratic Party comments at 4 p.m.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump plans to hold a big-ticket fundraiser in Dallas on Sept. 27 to replenish his campaign coffers and expand the national Republican Party's coffers ahead of a potentially difficult 2018 election cycle. We aim to fill the
Democrats and other critics immediately began planning expressions of disdain.
“Donald Trump, the defender of white supremacy, is coming to Dallas on September 27th. Let's give him a warm welcome in Texas and Dallas,” activist Domingo Garcia told like-minded Trump opponents. Posted online by phone. Garcia, a former state representative and city council member, has been a leading organizer of large-scale pro-immigrant demonstrations in recent years.
Invitations to the event featuring Trump were sent out on Wednesday. Many Texas Republicans confirmed the details.
Ticket prices range from $2,700 to $100,000, with a $50,000 option per couple. Most of the proceeds will go to the Republican National Committee, with the first $2,700 going to Trump's 2020 reelection account under more restrictive “hard money” rules.
This is Trump's first visit to Texas as president. It's common for presidential and national candidates of both parties to venture into Texas to raise money.
In July 2015, a month after jumping into the Republican primary, Trump traveled to Laredo for a border tour. He rallied 15,000 supporters at the American Airlines Center in September of that year, returned to Dallas for a rally in June 2016, and hit the swings again in San Antonio last October. went. That was his last visit to Texas.
Rallies have sparked frenzied protests, and a presidential visit could spark protests as well.
The White House has not yet announced the visit. Republican lawmakers involved in the effort declined to discuss it.
Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, hinted at President Trump's declining popularity and ridiculed prominent Republicans (the governor, lieutenant governor and members of the House of Representatives). “I have a question for Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick, and Ted Cruz: Have you all already signed up for a photo op with Trump?” he said.
The organizing committee includes Gaylord Huey, a prominent Tyler attorney who was one of Jeb Bush's major fundraisers. Oklahoma oilman Harold Hamm. Dallas investor Doug Deason. Laredo banker Dennis Nixon; Jeanne Phillips, longtime Republican fundraiser. and Kit Moncrief of Fort Worth.
Las Vegas casino magnate Steve Wynn, who leads the national Republican Party's fundraising efforts, is also a key figure.
President Trump's public approval rating has fallen to an unprecedented low, with approval ratings in the mid-30% range. The approval rating among Republicans is below 80%, which analysts see as a potential danger zone. He is viewed more favorably in Texas, the nation's largest red state.
But his overall support is seen as a major drag heading into the midterm elections, which even in the best of circumstances is rarely kind to the party that controls the White House. The past week has been particularly hard-hit.
The event in Dallas will be an imperfect demonstration of enthusiasm for President Trump.
With control of the U.S. House and Senate at stake in the 2018 elections, many establishment Republicans will enthusiastically support the party, even if they are dissatisfied with its nominal leadership.
President Trump's comments this week about neo-Nazis and white supremacists have led many Republican leaders to distance themselves.
The Texas Tribune first reported on President Trump's Sept. 27 incident.
President Trump is planning a rally in Phoenix on Tuesday, raising speculation that he may pardon immigration hardliner Joe Arpaio, a former Maricopa County sheriff and hero to many on the political right. .
Washington correspondents Katie Leslie and Caroline Kelly contributed to this report.
