Trump donors host Trump charity fundraiser at Trump property
Trump donors host Trump charity fundraiser at Trump property
‘Tiki lounge’ raised funds for Curetivity at Mar-a-Lago; previously Eric falsely claimed his charity used Trump properties ‘free of charge’
Despite claims that it eschews the practice, the Trump Organization appears to have profited again from holding an event for one of its associated charities.
On April 15, Mar-a-Lago was the venue for a tiki lounge party to support Curetivity, the rebranded Eric Trump Foundation. Rechristened in 2017 after Eric said he was ceasing “all direct fundraising efforts of my foundation…during the tenure of my father’s presidency,” the nonprofit raises funds for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Eric Trump also had said, “We get to use our assets 100% free of charge,” as Dan Alexander reported for Forbes in 2017. It’s a claim that has proved false in the past and appears to be wrong again.
An invite to the April 15 party posted on Facebook lists Peter and Stephanie Lamelas as the hosts for the event (more on them later). If the Trumps do in fact donate their assets for free to Curetivity as Eric claimed, its not clear why the Lamelases are listed as the hosts of a Curetivity fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.
Eric Trump, Peter Lamelas, and representatives from Curetivity, and the Trump Organization have not replied to 1100 Pennsylvania’s inquiries about how much, if anything, Mar-a-Lago was paid to host the tiki lounge, and, if the use of the resort was in fact donated, why the Lamelases’ names appear at the top of the invite.
Former President Trump attended the benefit, which was at his home after all.
Last Thursday’s party was just the latest example of the Trumps’ charitable outreach, businesses interests, and political lives overlapping. As 1100 Pennsylvania reported earlier—
“Trump administration appointed a donor to The Eric Trump Foundation to a $160,000/year position in the Small Business Administration”—Dec. 14, 2020
“Of the 10 golf courses participating in the rebranded Eric Trump Foundation’s Golf for a CURE campaign, all of them are Trump properties.”—Oct. 20, 2020
“Rebranded Eric Trump Foundation spent $193,000 hosting a fundraiser at Trump Westchester”—April 15, 2020
“Curetivity—the former Eric Trump Foundation from which Eric “cease[d] all direct fundraising efforts” during the duration of his father’s presidency in 2016—held another event at a Trump property. Eric attended.”—Feb. 13, 2020
“Eric’s fundraising for his former foundation, again”—Oct. 16, 2019
“Eric’s ex foundation deploys Eric to raise funds”—Sept. 10, 2019
“Eric Trump's rebranded charity booked Mar-a-Lago for dinner dance”—Sept. 3, 2019
“Eric Trump'‘s rebranded charity is returning to Trump Westchester”—June 28, 2019
“In a single retweet, the U.S. president promoted his golf course, a charity associated with his son, and a Trump business regular”—May 16, 2019
The tiki party’s occurrence was first reported by Adam Schrader for The Daily Mail.
For their part, the Lamelases, the founders of an urgent care provider, have supported the Trumps in their philanthropic, professional, and political pursuits. According to filings with the Federal Election Commissions, the couple has contributed more than $500,000 to GOP causes since 2000, with most of those donations coming during Trump’s presidency.
In December 2020, then-President Trump appointed Peter Lamelas to a spot on the Justice Department’s Valor Review Board, which considers nominations for the nation’s highest honor for public safety officers. Lamelas is the only current board member without a background in law enforcement.
The Lamelases have since made a habit of sponsoring parties at Mar-a-Lago. In February the pair co-sponsored a $10,600-a-couple fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago to benefit Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO), as reported by Marc Caputo of Politico.
And this Saturday, the Lamelases are slated to resume their hosting duties at Mar-a-Lago, this time at a $5,000 per couple fundraiser to benefit the House Freedom Fund, as Erik Maulbetsch reported for The Colorado Times Recorder. Seven members of the House and one former president are expected to attend.
Hundreds honor Lincoln, Trump at Mar-a-Lago
Last Saturday, the president’s resort-cum-home welcomed hundreds of supporters for the Republican Party of Palm Beach County’s Lincoln Day Dinner.
Tickets ranged from $425 to $25,000 for a presidential sponsorship. According to event’s website, the dinner sold out.
And while the dinner’s invite said Covid-19 protocols required attendees “To wear a mask throughout the property when inside” [bold added], footage from the dinner showed that guidance was largely ignored. (But Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) didn’t seem to mind.)
As for attendees of note—
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross called on their former boss at one of his places of business.
DeSantis (R) made yet another visit to Mar-a-Lago.
Trump and Pompeo each posed for photos with GOP candidate for a U.S. House seat in Florida, Laura Loomer. (She declared herself a “proud Islamophobe,” reported Jared Holt for Right Wing Watch.)
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) made yet another visit to Mar-a-Lago.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) and an advisor flexed (reportedly) with actor Kevin Sorbo at the GOP standard-bearer’s business.
Anthony Sabatini, a Florida state rep running in a GOP primary for a U.S. House seat in Florida had a great night at the president’s business.
Other Trump Organization news
“Trump’s Florida clubs remain a must stop for Republican stars and hopefuls alike” by your correspondent for NBC News
The former president and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) are hosting the Trump-Graham Golf Classic at Trump Palm Beach on May 2, reported Punchbowl News. The entry fee is $25,000 per person.
“Mo Brooks to hold Senate campaign reception at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club by Paul Gatts for Al.com
“Andrew Giuliani to meet with Trump as he preps NY gubernatorial bid” by Gabby Orr for CNN
“GOP Rep. Jason Smith has also been mentioned as a potential candidate for the [Missouri’s open U.S. Senate] seat, as has GOP Rep. Billy Long, both of whom will be appearing at separate fundraising events next week at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in South Florida,” reported Alex Isenstadt for Politico
“Trump wants you to boycott Coke. His properties are still serving it” by Nathaniel Meyersohn for CNN
Attorneys for the Trump Org and two House committees told the court they have been in negotiations regarding the panels’ subpoenas of Trump’s financial info from Deutsche Bank.
“Molly Forbes: Pensioner who took on Donald Trump over Aberdeenshire golf course dies aged 96” by Alison Campsie for The Scotsman