Trump treats Bill Ackman, Steve Wynn and other big donors to White House dinner

Key Takeaways:

• President Trump hosted a private dinner for top Republican donors at the White House.
• Attendees included high-profile figures such as Bill Ackman, Steve Wynn, and Andy Beal.
• Jared Isaacman’s withdrawn NASA nomination fueled tension between Trump and Elon Musk.
• The president blamed Democrats for the prolonged government shutdown to rally donor support.
• Trump is leveraging such events to advance funding for his White House projects and the GOP’s election ambitions.

Trump’s Private Rose Garden Gathering

President Trump welcomed more than 60 of the Republican Party’s key financial backers to a dinner held on the newly renovated patio of the White House’s Rose Garden. While enjoying the prestigious venue, guests were treated to an up-close experience with the president, underscoring the administration’s continued focus on bolstering donor relationships.

Major Donors in Attendance

Notable figures included hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, casino mogul Steve Wynn, investor Andy Beal, and agriculture executive Charles Herbster. Among the other influential attendees were supermarket mogul John Catsimatidis, biotech executive Oliver Burckhardt, and businessman Jay Kemmerer alongside his wife, Karen. Several attendees, such as Florida-based injury attorney Dan Newlin and Dallas philanthropist Lisa Troutt, have contributed substantial sums to pro-Trump committees.

High-Level Strategy and Talking Points

Throughout the evening, President Trump reiterated that Democrats were responsible for the ongoing government shutdown, according to one attendee familiar with the remarks. He also emphasized the importance of securing Republican victories in the upcoming midterm election. These points reinforced the administration’s message that donor support and unified party action are critical.

The Isaacman Factor

Among the guests was Jared Isaacman, a figure with a unique backstory in Trump’s orbit. Isaacman, once Trump’s first choice to lead NASA, had his nomination pulled earlier in the year when it emerged he had previously donated to Democrats. The decision caused friction between Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk. In an intriguing development, Isaacman remained a Trump supporter and donated $1 million to the pro-Trump MAGA Inc. super PAC shortly after his nomination was withdrawn. According to recent reports, Isaacman is lobbying for a second chance at the NASA post, where he now faces competition from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Fundraising and Future Elections

This dinner followed another event just a week earlier where donors contributed to a $250 million White House ballroom project. The gatherings highlight Trump’s approach of using official venues to court supporters essential to his political and fundraising goals. By bringing influential donors together, the president is aiming to ensure that both his agenda and the GOP’s election prospects remain well-financed and strategically positioned for the months and years ahead.