Trump returns to Fort Worth for campaign cash before Austin rally

Donald Trump will be in downtown Cowtown Tuesday for a Texas-sized fundraiser before heading to Austin to raise more campaign cash and hold a public rally.

Republicans ready to shell out between $2,700 and $250,000 to attend the private fundraiser say they are excited to see and hear from party’s presidential nominee.

“It’s obvious why he’s coming here,” said Roy Bailey, a Dallas businessman helping Trump raise money in Texas. “This is Trump territory.

“He’s going to win Texas by a lot,” he said. “And Texas is a great place to raise money. If he weren’t here, it would be a missed opportunity.”

Local Democrats were doing all they could to make the most of the opportunity themselves by attacking the visiting candidate.

“The Donald is in Cowtown, unfortunately,” said U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, during a press conference Monday. “We want to make it clear what he really stands for, what his agenda is really all about, so the people of Fort Worth will know.”

Veasey said reports show Trump “would be an economic disaster,” potentially costing Texans alone more than a quarter of a million jobs. And the Republican’s plan to cut taxes for wealthy Americans would come on the backs of middle-class workers.

“We cannot afford Donald Trump,” Veasey said. “We need to do everything in our power to make sure this man does not become president of the United States.

“Because guess what? We have a choice. And we have an absolutely great choice in Hillary Rodham Clinton.”

Local fundraiser

Tuesday morning, Trump will attend a private fundraiser — an 11 a.m. roundtable, an 11:30 a.m. photo opportunity and an 11:45 a.m. luncheon in downtown Fort Worth — to help raise money for his presidential campaign.

During the roundtable, supporters will have a chance to ask the candidate anything they’d like to know.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is expected to be among the guests attending and he will also attend a private fundraiser later in the day in Austin and a public rally in Austin at night. There are no public events being held in Fort Worth on this visit.

To get in to the Fort Worth fundraiser, a couple may give or raise $250,000 to gain the title of “chairman” and claim a private meeting and photo with the candidate, membership to the Trump Victory Chairman’s Circle, four tickets to the roundtable and seats at his table during the luncheon, according to a copy of an invitation obtained by the Star-Telegram.

A couple may give or raise $100,000 to become a “co-chair,” which earns them membership to Trump’s Victory Executive Council, four tickets to the roundtable, a photo with the candidate and priority seating at the luncheon.

A couple who raises or gives $25,000 claims the title of “host,” picking up two seats to the roundtable, a photo opportunity and preferred seating at the lunch.

For $15,000, a couple receives “Eagle” status, which gives them two tickets to the photo opportunity and luncheon. For $5,400, a couple becomes a sponsor and receives two tickets to the luncheon.

And for $2,700 per person, a person gains the title of “Trump Train” and receives one ticket to the luncheon.

Three names are listed near the top of the invitation: Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, Lewis M. Eisenberg, finance chairman of Trump Victory, and Steven T. Mnuchin, finance chairman of Donald J. Trump for President.

After Trump leaves Texas, former President Bill Clinton will be making the rounds, attending fundraisers to generate money for his wife’s presidential bid.

One of his stops will be in Dallas Thursday afternoon to attend a private fundraiser at a private home.

Democratic reaction

A handful of Tarrant County Democrats gathered Monday morning at the Tarrant County Central Labor Council in North Richland Hills to talk about how bad Trump would be for the country.

Tarrant County Democratic Party Chair Deborah Peoples talked about Trump’s business moves and his desire to “Make America Great Again.”

“Trump ties, they are made in China. Trump shirts are made in Bangladesh. Trump furniture is made in Turkey and Germany. Trump mirrors are made in India,” she said. “And Trump clothing is made in Mexico, the very country that he’s tried to make us afraid of.

“Folks, Trump could make products in America,” she said. “When you talk about ‘Making America Great Again,’ we need to have industry here and put people back to work. But the very message he’s delivering is one he doesn’t live by.”

She said Trump could even make boots in Fort Worth, if he wanted.

“He’s coming to Tarrant County ... to take our money,” she said. “He’s having a fundraiser to take money from the hard working men and women of Tarrant County.”

She said she has a message for the presidential candidate.

“We’re here today to tell Donald Trump that his brand of divisive politics doesn’t work here in Tarrant County, Texas,” Peoples said. “Donald Trump, Tarrant County does not belong to you. It belongs to the hard working citizens.”

GOP excitement

Local Republicans say they are glad Trump will be in Fort Worth.

“You bet,” said Tim O’Hare, who heads the Tarrant County Republican Party. “Texas is a red state. And Tarrant County is the largest Republican county in the state. We are honored to be hosting him.”

O’Hare said voters have a clear choice in November.

“They can pick a lifetime politician who has, in polls, been viewed even by her own party as incredibly dishonest and untrustworthy, versus someone who has run some incredibly successful businesses for decades and, instead of using their public position to enrich themselves, ... is willing to step down and run our government, which is badly needed and desired.”

“I think Americans by and large are ready for a different way of doing business in Washington.”

The controversial New York billionaire and former reality TV star attended fundraisers and a public event at Gilley’s nightclub in Dallas in June, before he formally claimed the GOP presidential nomination.

Trump last visited Fort Worth in February, holding a rally that drew thousands to the Fort Worth Convention Center days before the March 1 primary. He announced an endorsement from New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie before that rally.

Organizers predict the Fort Worth fundraiser will be sizable and “wildly successful.”

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This story was originally published August 22, 2016 at 3:52 PM with the headline "Trump returns to Fort Worth for campaign cash before Austin rally."