An unprecedented fundraising event in Silicon Valley has bolstered Donald J. Trump‘s presidential campaign, raising $12 million on Thursday night. The high-profile event was co-hosted by tech entrepreneur David Sacks at his home, Broadcliff, in Pacific Heights. The fundraiser drew attention for its steep ticket prices, with per-couple tickets selling for $500,000 and per-person tickets priced at $300,000. Despite the costs, the event sold out, reflecting a massive show of support for former President Trump within the tech community.
Attorney and RNC Committeewoman for California, Harmeet Dhillon, shared news of the successful event on X (formerly Twitter), noting that Trump appeared “relaxed, happy, and cracking jokes about AI.” Trump was introduced by Senator JD Vance (R-OH) and then by Sacks himself.
The event attracted notable figures from the entrepreneurial and venture capital sectors, including the Winklevoss twins and various crypto industry leaders. Sacks, his wife Jacqueline, and venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya co-hosted the fundraiser.
This event marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Silicon Valley, where support for Trump has been relatively muted in recent years. The event underscored a willingness among some in the tech sector to publicly support the presumptive GOP nominee as he makes another bid for the presidency.
Trump’s fundraising success comes in the wake of his conviction in New York on 34 felony counts of falsified business records relating to payments recorded as legal fees. Despite these legal challenges, Trump’s campaign is closing the cash gap with Joe Biden’s, which has traditionally benefited from star-studded Hollywood fundraisers. Campaign fundraising figures indicated Trump has pulled in at least $141 million in May.