Two rival fundraising events for the US election campaign were held in London on Wednesday evening. Actress and singer Holly Valance hosted a pro-Donald Trump event in West London where tickets began at $10,000, according to one guest who spoke to the BBC. Meanwhile, Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour hosted a fundraiser in support of Joe Biden’s campaign, with tickets at $1,000 each. Only US citizens and permanent US residents were able to make donations at both events.
Among the guests reported to be attending the Republican fundraiser were President Trump’s son, Donald Jr., and UK politician Nigel Farage. Greg Swenson, the chairman of Republicans Overseas, said he, too, would attend, and confirmed that tickets ranged from $10,000 to $100,000. Though he acknowledged it was a “big-ticket” event, he insisted that Republicans were the “party of the people” and highlighted the fees for rival Democratic events. The most expensive tickets for the Joe Biden’s campaign in New York last March were half a million dollars each.
The London event took place near the Chelsea Embankment in an exclusive area, where “a man in a suit and umbrella welcomed guests dropped off in front of polished black gates,” according to reports. The location was described as a “hub for entertainment and relaxation”, complete with a wine cellar, swimming pool, spa, and IMAX cinema.
Valance, who is also an entrepreneur’s wife, has been linked to Mr Farage and Trump since being pictured with the two politicians in 2022. She has a past with the singer-songwriter of the 2002 song ‘Kiss Kiss’. No response was made to the BBC request for comment from the Candy Foundation, the couple’s charity.
Democrats Abroad, which operates separately from the Biden campaign, organized another London event, a comedy night in Greenwich, where tickets are available for the more modest sum of $60. According to Sharon Manitta, the global press secretary for Democrats Abroad, the timing of the rival London events was pure coincidence
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