Sacks Hosts Fundraiser
Former President Donald Trump reportedly raised an impressive $12 million during a high-profile fundraiser in San Francisco on Thursday. The event was held at the Pacific Heights home of venture capitalist David Sacks, who co-hosted the gathering alongside fellow venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya. Both Sacks and Palihapitiya are well-known as co-hosts of the popular “All-In” podcast.
The cost to attend the fundraiser varied widely, ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, depending on the level of benefits provided. This event drew a significant crowd of notable venture capitalists and crypto investors, highlighting Trump's ongoing appeal in the business and tech communities.
Trump was introduced by Sacks, who publicly endorsed him in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday, and by Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH). Trump's stance on cryptocurrency, particularly his criticism of Democratic proposals to increase regulations, was a focal point for many attendees.
The fundraiser's location in San Francisco, a city known for its liberal leanings and represented by Trump's political adversary, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, added an interesting layer to the event. Despite the deep blue setting, the turnout was substantial and the financial support robust.
Conservative lawyer and Republican National Committee member Harmeet Dhillon noted the atmosphere of the event, describing Trump as “relaxed, happy, and cracking jokes about AI.” She celebrated the success of the fundraiser, posting on X, “$12M raised tonight! Incredible support for [Trump]. Not an empty seat in the gorgeous home of [David Sacks] and Jacqueline. Thrilled to see the tech leaders stepping up!”
Sources informed Fox News that the event's inception was credited to Senator J.D. Vance, who initially reached out to Sacks. Sacks acknowledged this during the event, saying, “this all started with JD Vance calling and asking if we could host an event for President Trump. Without JD’s advice and encouragement, this would never have happened.”
In his endorsement of Trump, Sacks cited several critical issues, including economic policy, foreign policy, immigration, and legal fairness. He expressed his belief that Trump is better suited than Biden to steer America back on course. Sacks stated, “My reasons rest on four main issues that I think are vital to American prosperity, security, and stability – issues where the Biden administration has veered badly off course and where I believe President Trump can lead us back.”
Sacks also countered President Biden's warnings that a Trump return to the White House would threaten democracy. He argued that the Biden administration had engaged in actions like colluding with tech platforms to censor the internet and using the intelligence community to cover up his son Hunter’s laptop, among other accusations.
This high-dollar fundraiser is part of a broader trend of strong financial support for Trump’s campaign, which has seen significant donations following his recent legal troubles. After being convicted of falsifying business records in New York, Trump’s campaign has reportedly raised over $200 million. Although President Biden has traditionally held a fundraising advantage, Trump has been closing the gap with these substantial contributions.