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What We Know About Trump's $1.5 Million-a-Head Fund-raising Dinner

What We Know About Trump's $1.5 Million-a-Head Fund-raising Dinner

New York Times05-05-2025
President Trump is speaking on Monday night at a $1.5 million-a-head fund-raiser for his MAGA Inc. super PAC at the Trump National Golf Club in Virginia.
The 'crypto and AI innovators' dinner is the latest in a series of high-dollar fund-raisers that MAGA Inc. has held in recent weeks.
MAGA Inc. raised more than $400 million during 2023 and 2024, but has yet to report its totals in 2025. Three-fourths of its money has been spent against Democrats, but it also spends against Republicans. The super PAC's resources serve as a threat to Republicans who are opposed to Mr. Trump's agenda.
Here's what we know about the event:
Who's going to be there?
Besides Mr. Trump, the speakers include David O. Sacks, the administration's so-called czar for A.I. and crypto. Mr. Sacks is also an ally of Elon Musk.
The event is listed on Mr. Trump's public schedule, but it is closed to the press and few other details were provided.
A representative of the PAC did not respond to requests for comment.
Does this mean President Trump is seeking a third term?
No. The money raised can be used to bolster the campaigns of candidates Mr. Trump supports in the 2026 midterm elections, or to try to derail those he opposes.
Still, Mr. Trump and his supporters have repeatedly raised the idea of another campaign. 'Trump 2028' hats are for sale; some are seeking a change to the Constitution to allow a third term; and Mr. Trump has repeatedly suggested he might run again.
However, Mr. Trump recently suggested Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio might succeed him.
Who has donated to the MAGA Inc. super PAC?
Rich and influential business people who approve of Mr. Trump's agenda have been among the PAC's top donors.
Timothy Mellon, a wealthy banking heir and railroad magnate, gave $150 million alone.
Three people who would become members of Mr. Trump's administration also gave handsome sums to the PAC.
Before they were appointed to their posts, Kelly Loeffler, the head of the Small Business Administration, gave almost $2 million; Howard Lutnick, the commerce secretary, donated nearly $9 million; and Linda McMahon, the education secretary, gave more than $20 million.
Why is the president courting crypto donors? Didn't he say Bitcoin was a 'scam'?
Yes, but Mr. Trump has changed his position as his family seeks to make a profit off cryptocurrencies.
Mr. Trump once said that the most famous cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, seemed 'like a scam,' and argued it was a rival to the dollar, which he said he wanted to make strong.
But during his 2024 campaign Mr. Trump found common cause with crypto investors. He has since promised to be America's 'first crypto president,' and signed an executive order to promote the growth of the industry.
The president's oldest sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, are now involved in two cryptocurrency ventures based in the United States.
Mr. Trump himself will be involved in a second event this month seeking money from the crypto community.
Investors in a venture called the $Trump memecoin are bidding to become the top 220 owners of the collectible coin and win a dinner with the president on May 22.
That move has raised some ethical concerns.
Mr. Trump was asked during an interview on NBC's 'Meet the Press' whether he was profiting off the presidency through cryptocurrencies.
'I'm not profiting from anything,' Mr. Trump said.
But when the host Kristen Welker pressed him again, the president responded: 'If I own stock in something, and I do a good job, and the stock market goes up, I guess I'm profiting.'
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