Former President Donald J. Trump, speaking at a multimillion-dollar fundraiser Saturday night, lamented that people are not immigrating to America from “good” countries “like Denmark” and suggested that his well-heeled dinner companions should be temporary. According to one participant, the neighborhood is safe from undocumented immigrants.
Presumed Republican presidential candidate Mr. Trump made the comments during a roughly 45-minute presentation at a mansion owned by billionaire financier John Paulson in Palm Beach, a rare island community.
Guests sat outside at white-cloth tables under a white tent, overlooking the waterway that separates the moneyed city from the more diverse West Palm Beach, according to the attendee, a private event but Mr. Provided a comprehensive reading of Trump's comments.
Dozens of wealthy donors helped write checks to the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee totaling more than $50 million, a record but unverified amount. Campaign finance reports that include the date of the event may not be available for several months.
Mr. Some of Trump's comments were standard fare from his stump speeches, while other parts of the speech were tailored to his wealthier audience.
At a time when President Biden is grappling with a serious crisis at the southern border, Mr. Trump launched into a wide-ranging tirade about immigrants entering the United States, midway through his remarks, the attendee said.
“These are people coming from jails and prisons. They come from incredible places and countries, disaster countries,” Mr. Trump told his guests, according to attendees. The former president has made this same claim the centerpiece of his campaign speeches.
He refers to an episode during his presidency when he drew significant criticism after an Oval Office meeting with federal lawmakers about immigration, describing Haiti and some countries in Africa as “shithole countries” compared to places like Norway.
“And when I said, you know, why can't we let people from good countries in, I'm trying to be good,” Mr. Trump said at the dinner, drawing laughter from the crowd. “Awesome countries, you know Denmark, Switzerland, etc.? Anyone from Denmark? How about Switzerland? How about Norway?”
He continued, “You know, they took it as a really terrible idea, but I felt it was great.”
Mr. Trump said the people from Yemen “are blowing each other up all over the place.”
Mr. During his rallies, Trump often laments immigrants from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, who are on his list of countries of origin. Available data.
At the dinner, Mr. Trump lamented the rise of immigrants, particularly from Latin America, saying gang members “make the Hell's Angels look like very good people.”
“They have been sent, brought and deposited in our country and are with us tonight,” said Mr. Trump said.
“Actually, I don't think they're on this island, but I know they're on that island. That's West Palm,” Mr. Trump said, gesturing across the water, according to an attendee. “Congratulations there. But they'll be here. Ultimately, they're here.” will be
When asked for comment, a Trump campaign official pointed to the former president's official reading of the event, in which he discussed the border crisis and the tax cuts he enacted while in office. The official did not mention specific quotes and did not respond to questions about whether the campaign was disputing them.
Mr. on the waterway that divides the city of Palm Beach. Paulson's estate is located — an affluent community on a barrier island that is 93.8 percent white, according to the Census Bureau — across from West Palm Beach, which is nearly a third black and a quarter Hispanic.
Mr. Trump his successor Mr. Biden blamed the influx of immigrants and mocked him and aides for what Mr. Trump said were poor decisions around the decision-making table used by more than two dozen presidents.
“The decision table is beautiful,” said Mr. Trump said. “Ronald Reagan used it, and others used it.”
According to the participant, he was Mr. He insulted Biden. I might not use it next time. It has become dust. I mean it's really sad.”
The participant who saw this moment said that the dinner guests laughed and Mr. Trump's comment, Mr. He also said that he understood the former president to have said that Biden had defecated on the table.
Mr. Trump tried to point to parts of his record that would appeal to wealthy donors in attendance. He highlighted the tax cuts under his administration and asked participants if they had a preference for that measure or his regulations that would allow them to take advantage of certain rebates, according to the participant.
“The most successful people in the entire country are in this room,” said Mr. Trump said.
He concluded his remarks with a grand assessment of America's future that characterized his campaigns for the presidency, but with a more apocalyptic installment in 2024.
“This may be the last election this country ever has,” said Mr. Trump used a standard line at his rallies. “The 4th of July doesn't matter as much as I do.”
