Donald J. Trump recently dined with key donors, including Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebekah, amidst a reported cash crunch. The dinner signals a potential rekindling of their relationship, as the Mercers were influential backers of Trump’s 2016 campaign. Trump’s visit to New York coincided with a major fundraiser for President Biden, underscoring the ongoing political dynamics.
Donald J. Trump, facing a cash crunch that puts him at a severe disadvantage to President Biden, dined on Thursday night with a small group of donors including the hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebekah, according to two people with knowledge of the event.
Donald J. Trump’s dinner companions also included the entrepreneur Omeed Malik, the cosmetics firm founder Trish McEvoy and the real estate management billionaire Richard Kurtz, one of the people said.
The Mercers, Ms. McEvoy and Mr. Kurtz did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesman for Mr. Malik declined to comment, and a Trump spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.
The Mercers were a critical source of support behind Mr. Trump’s win in the 2016 presidential election. In addition to giving donations, they pushed him to make changes to his political team, including making Kellyanne Conway his campaign manager and Stephen K. Bannon his chief executive. The family was conspicuously quiet during Mr. Trump’s 2020 re-election effort.
But both Robert and Rebekah Mercer have lent their names for an invitation to a high-dollar fund-raiser on April 6, along with Mr. Malik. And their appearance with Mr. Trump at the dinner is additional evidence of a rekindled relationship.
The dinner came at the end of a day when Mr. Trump flew to New York City from Florida to attend the wake of the New York Police Department officer Jonathan Diller, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Queens this week.
Donald J. Trump’s visit took place at the same time that Mr. Biden was preparing for a fund-raiser with two of his Democratic predecessors, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, that raised a record $25 million at Radio City Music Hall. Mr. Trump’s team mocked the event as one for elites as he was received by Officer Diller’s family.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who were some of the key donors that Donald J. Trump recently dined with?
A: Donald J. Trump dined with key donors including hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer, his daughter Rebekah, entrepreneur Omeed Malik, cosmetics firm founder Trish McEvoy, and real estate management billionaire Richard Kurtz.
Q: How do the Mercers relate to Trump’s political history?
A: The Mercers were influential backers of Trump’s 2016 campaign, providing critical support and pushing for changes in his political team, such as appointing Kellyanne Conway as campaign manager and Stephen K. Bannon as chief executive.
Q: What does Trump’s dinner with the Mercers signify?
A: Trump’s dinner with the Mercers suggests a potential rekindling of their relationship, especially since both Robert and Rebekah Mercer have lent their names for an invitation to a high-dollar fundraiser on April 6.
Q: What was the context of Trump’s visit to New York City?
A: Trump’s visit to New York coincided with a major fundraiser for President Biden, which raised a record $25 million at Radio City Music Hall. This underscored ongoing political dynamics as Trump attended the wake of a New York Police Department officer who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Queens.