Trump Dangles Mar-a-Lago Vacation
as Fundraising Raffle Bait in Email

Capitol Inside
December 14, 2022

The GOP appears to be in steady hands with Governor Greg Abbott waging war on the border and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene leading "the five families" in meetings in Kevin McCarthy's office in an apparent attempt to remake the U.S. House into their own little Cosa Nostra on this side of the pond.

But Republicans who are getting border with fantasyland have an opportunity to get back to reality with a special contest that Donald Trump unveiled on Thursday with a free vacation at his winter resort on the southern coast of Florida.

"Mar-a-Lago awaits YOU," Trump teased in an email. "The same place I announced my run for President could be your next vacation.

"Because of your unwavering support and dedication to helping me SAVE AMERICA, I want to share something with YOU before anyone else," the former president added. "I am inviting YOU to WIN an EPIC trip to visit Mar-a-Lago."

Republicans can qualify for the competition simply by donating any amount of money they choose before a Trump-imposed deadline tonight at 11:59 p.m. Size apparently doesn't matter as far as contributions that are raffle tickets are concerned based on the Trump promotion solicitation.

"If you win this EXCLUSIVE opportunity, you’ll get the ultimate VIP EXPERIENCE," Trump promised

But there could be a catch or two. Trump said that the winner would have the cost of air travel and hotel covered on the excursion to Mar-a-Lago. He didn't elaborate - however - on whether that meant that the lucky donor wouldn't actually be sleeping overnight at his luxurious estate in West Palm Beach.

There's no guarantee as a result that he or she won't be staying at a Comfort Inn or Extend-a-Stay in the general vicinity of Mar-a-Lago. First-class seats on an airplane might be a long shot in such an event.

But Trump said that the supporter who emerges triumphant from the drawing will have the "chance to bring the guest of YOUR choice" along for the visit. Trump saved the most compelling bait for last - saying that "the best part is, I may even show up to meet YOU."

Sounds like an offer that no Republican could refuse - except for those who might be aware of a new poll this week that shows Trump trailing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis by nearly two dozen percentage points in the presidential nomination chase for the GOP in 2024.

more to come ...