In a striking display of transatlantic political rivalry, London played host to opulent fundraisers for Trump and Biden, highlighting the contrasting approaches and global stakes of the 2024 US presidential election. Here’s the full story.
Pivotal Election
While the UK general election draws ever closer, it can be easy to forget that the US also has another pivotal election scheduled for later this year, as incumbent President Joe Biden and former President turned convicted criminal Donald Trump battle it out for the most powerful job in the world.
US Election in Focus
However, in London recently, it suddenly became much more challenging to ignore the upcoming US election in favour of the rapidly approaching UK election.
Simultaneous Fundraisers
The campaigns of Donald Trump and Joe Biden both organised fundraising events in London on the same evening to raise funds for their respective political candidates.
Luxurious Trump Fundraiser
At a luxurious private residence in West London, former Australian pop star Holly Valance and her husband, British property magnate Nick Candy, hosted a splendid fundraiser supporting Donald Trump.
High-Profile Guest List
This event attracted significant media attention due to its high-profile guest list and eye-watering ticket prices.
Pricey Tickets
According to Greg Swenson, chairman of Republicans Overseas UK, tickets ranged from $10,000 to $100,000, with dinner alone costing $50,000 per couple.
Notable Attendees
The guest list featured notable personalities such as Donald Trump Jr., former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Brexit architect and the new leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage.
“Incredible” Event
To CBS News, Trump Jr. described the event as “incredible,” and stressed how much money the event had raised for his father’s campaign amidst Trump’s ongoing legal challenges.
Biden’s Fundraiser
In contrast, across town, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour hosted a dinner in support of Joe Biden, organised by Democrats Abroad.
Lower-Priced Tickets
Tickets for this fundraiser were priced at $1,000 each, a stark difference from the Trump event’s exorbitant entry fees.
Discreet Event
The Biden campaign maintained a lower profile regarding this event, with limited details available to the media.
Rallying Support
However, the gathering symbolised a concentrated effort to rally international support for the Democratic cause, leveraging Wintour’s influential network to enhance Biden’s campaign coffers.
Conviction Timing
The timing of these fundraisers was particularly notable, occurring shortly after Donald Trump was convicted on multiple counts in a high-profile New York trial.
Conviction Spurs Support
However, Trump’s recent conviction didn’t lead to him losing support—instead, the opposite.
“Enthusiasm Jumped”
According to Greg Swenson, Trump’s conviction seemingly energized his cultish followers, “The enthusiasm definitely jumped after the verdict two weeks ago. It seems like the people who were prone to donate are donating more.”
Fundraising Surge
The Trump campaign reported a substantial fundraising boost, raising $141 million in the weeks following the conviction.
Celebrity Influence
Both events highlighted the role of celebrities in modern political campaigns. Holly Valance, a former one-hit wonder pop star and actress turned political activist, leveraged her public profile and connections to rally support for Trump.
Wintour’s Endorsement
Similarly, Anna Wintour’s endorsement of Joe Biden reflected the influence of cultural figures in shaping political narratives and mobilising resources.
High-Profile Endorsements
As a long-time Democratic supporter, Wintour’s hosting of the fundraiser demonstrated the importance of high-profile endorsements in bolstering campaign efforts on the international stage.
Scheduling “Fluke”
Despite both events occurring on the same evening, Sharon Manitta, global press secretary for Democrats Abroad, noted that the scheduling of the events was nothing more than a “fluke.”
Mutual Representation
Still, it is doubtful that either side would not want to be similarly represented in the capital city of a close ally.
Contrasting Campaign Styles
The contrasting styles of the Trump and Biden fundraisers brought into sharp focus the contrasting styles of both campaigns.
Lavish Trump Event
The Trump event, marked by its luxury and high ticket prices, focused on wealthy donors and high-profile endorsements.
“Party of the People”
Despite this, Swenson asserted that the Republicans were the “party of the people” despite the lavish nature of the event.
Inclusive Biden Event
In contrast, with its relatively modest ticket price, the Biden fundraiser sought to project a more inclusive image, appealing to a broader base of supporters.
UK-US Links
The rival fundraising events in London offered a unique view of how closely the right-wing movements of the UK and US are linked.
Farage’s Trump Connection
It is common knowledge that Farage is a close friend of Trump, even saying shortly before his electoral run that he wanted to focus more on Trump’s campaign in the US.
Liberal Support
Similarly, the Democrats have worldwide reach, particularly among the US’s more liberal high society types, many of whom are profoundly uncomfortable with the idea of a second Trump presidency.
Fundraisers’ Impact
However, it remains to be seen if the London-based fundraisers will tip the scales of the US election in favour of one candidate.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Jonah Elkowitz.